Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-26
AMONG THE .WORKINGMEN
Matters Considered by the Federation Of
Labor.
The Proposed Organization OF .
of the Order of knights of Labor.

GRAFTON of Labor, held last evening, was
attended by the representatives Of forty
five organizations. President James F. Nc
Hugh occupied the chair. Credentials to fill
vacancies were presented from delegates
from Washington Musical Assembly,
Journeymen Stone Cutters, Plasterers' AS
sembly and Eccentric Engineers.
The special committee which had charge
Of all matters relative to the resolutions of
respect in memory of the late E. J. Rea re-
ported that they had performed the duties
intrusted to them.
The special committee appointed to visit
the real estate agents and endeavor to Sc
cure their cooperation in the matter of
having union labor employed wherever pos
sible. reported that they had seen a number
of the agents, who had promised their aid.
The Federation Endorsed a proposition re-
ceived from District Assembly. No. G6, K
of L., that each body shall bear one-half the
expense Of publishing list of fair saloons.
to be prepared by Gambrinus Assembly, as
also statement from the latter in reply
TO the pamphlet recently issued by the brew
erS
A communication was read from c. F.
Bechtold of St Louis, general secretary of
the National Brewery Workers Association,
urging the members of the Federation to
stand by their previous action in reference
to the beer trouble here
Inc subject of forming new central labor
day last, was brought up and discussed by
number of speakers, who expressed the
opinion that there is no necessity for the
new organization.
Opposed to the Plan.
In reference to the formation of the rev
body Mr. E. NJ. Blake, chairman of the
legislative committee of the Federation, to-
day said to a Star reporter: IAN attack
was recently made on District Assembly
NO VI, K. of L.. during debate on a mo-
ton to discharge committee appointed at
a previous meeting to consider the adv:s-
ability of organizing a local branch of the
American Federation of Labor, and slurs
were also thrown at members of a union
who are also members of the X. of l..
II have the proud honor to belong to
that order. Its principles / heartily in
dorse, and what there is broad and charit-
able IN my opinions. and manly In my
character owe largely to the teachings OF
those principles, which proclaim the father
hood of God and the brotherhood OF man
mutual assistance to all deserving OF aid
and that the injury of one is the concern of
all.
1.-The charge that D. A. &c originate all
measures and by force Of numbers forces
an Endorsement of their findings through
the Federation, is not true. II a trade be-
longing to ID. A. 66 has a grievance liable
to affect a trade or trades not connected
with them, but who are represented in the
Federation, action is usually postponed
until that body has an opportunity to first
act upon it, and during the existence of
ID. A. Sc no measure passed by the Fedora
ton has failed to receive the active CO.
operation of all the assemblies under its
jurisdiction, nor has any measure affecting
the interests of this body failed to receive
active aid from both the central bodies.
THE charge which has been made that
the delegates representing their assemblies
in D. A. g. also represent their unions III
the Federation is but half the truth. Tn
ions are represented in the District Assem-
bly, with three delegates each, while the
representation in the Federation is five
delegates from each union and very small
number represent their unions in both
bodies.
1T must surely be conceded by all fair
minded persons conversant with the his
tory of trade unions in the District that at
the time of the introduction of the KNIGHTS
of La Dor here there were but two unions
in existence in the city other than the
printing trades-the Bricklayers' and Car
penters' Union, No. 1. Through the efforts
of members of the X. of L. many assem-
bles we're formed and the old Working
mems Assembly was organized as local
branch of the National Federation. and the
power Of these central bodies began to be
felt.
Among the many good works accom-
plished through the active, intelligent and
weil-directed efforts of these central bodies
was the following: Senator Blair's labor in
NeStlSdliOH, lime new ScnOOi buildings An
one year, three more than were ever built
in any one year, before or since; bills Civ
ing to tie general public inspectors Of
plumbing; the licensing of steam engineers;
establishing the bureau NOW Department.
of labor; alien contract labor law; estab-
Eshment of manual training schools: the
Incorporation Of national trade unions;
granting leaves of absence in the govern
ment printing office and the bureau of en-
craving and printing; free school books in
graded public schools; the eight-hour law:
Stun investigation and the increase Of
suburban public school buildings.
"A quarrel tending in any way to dis
rupt these organizations can be of no ad-
vantage to any enc connected with organic
ed labor
The building Trades Council.
Eleven organiza lions were represented
at the meeting last evening Of the Building
Trades Council, and President William
Silver presided. Delegates from the Elec-
trical Workers were admitted. A form of
contract, which will be Submitted to those
enjoying labor in the council, was adopted,
and a contract committee was elected, as
follows: J. c. McKie of Granite Cutters
Union: J. P. Healey Bricklayers' Union
and James French, Steam and Hot Water
Filters. The committee will endeavor to
secure through agreement the exclusive
employment on building construction of
those belonging to the trades represented
in the council.
A proposition to adopt a card, to be
known as the Building Trades Council
card. and which will be recognized and
maintained by all trades represented in
the council, after much discussion was re-
ferred to the organizations represented In
the council.
Death of Mrs. f. II. True.
The funeral Of Mrs. E. r. True, who died