Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-22
| N LABOR, CAUSE
The Federation kcA on Several 'Propo-
Sihons.
Urging the Free sLibrary BiIl-Work-
ingmen ,Notto PatrOnlze
Saloons.

Saloons.
The proceedings of the Federation OF
Labor at Its meeting last night were of
more than usual interest. A resolution was
adopted pledging the members not to enter
any saloon in the District where boycotted
beer is sold, and salso petition to Con-
gress urging the passage of the free library
bill.
The meeting was largely attended. the
representatives from forty-three organiza-
tions being present, and President McHugh
occupied the chair
The following preamble and resolutions
in reference to the beer war were intro
duced by Mr.. e. NJ. Blake, and after an
earnest debate were adopted:
Whereas, the brewers have secured the
assistance of the National Brewers Asso-
citation to aid them i'll defeating the efforts
of the workingmen TO import union beer
into the city, therefore,
Resolved; That we, as delegates from all
the labor unions in the District of Column
bia, recognized as their leaders and repre-
sentatives, do personally pledge ourselves
by our vote for this resolution not to enter
a saloon for any purpose whatsoever until
the saloon keepers agree to handle only
union made beer; further
RESOLVED, That VIC recommend to our
local unions the ABOVE resolution for their
Endorsement
Secretary BeclitOld's Statement.
During the discussion of the preamble
and resolutions Secretary Bechtold OF the
National Brewery Workers Association.
who came here from ST. Louis in order to
try to effect settlement of the present
troubles between the brewers and their
locked-out men, made an address In the
course OF his remarks he said that he had
Travelled great deal throughout the coun-
try in the interest CT labor, but he had
never before visited a place where the
members of the labor societies are so well
organized as IN Washington, nor so thor
Oughly in harmony with each other as they
are on the question of the beer boycott.
Mr.. Bechtold said further that he had
tried to bring about a conference between
the brewers and their men, but Was unable
to do so. He predicted that the members
Of Gambrnus Assembly will be victorious
in the struggle now going
The chairman Of the legislative commit
tee reported that the committee is prepar-
Ing an argument to be presented to Con-
gress, in favor of days labor on govern
ment work here as against contract work.
He reported also the following memorial,
which was adopted, and will be forwarded
to the President of the Senate and Speaker
of the House of Representatives:
Fer a Public Library.
"The Federation of Labor of the District
Of Columbia, comprising delegates from
forty-eight labor unions, and representing
1900 organized working men, have in
structed the legislative committee to me-
morialize Congress in the interest of the
bill creating a public circulating library.
This project of public library has
been advocated for years past by the
unions, and three or more attempts have
been made by their representative bodies
to establish such an enterprise through
private subscription, but they have not
been able to raise n sum sufficient to make
the undertaking a success.
THE advantages Of a free public circu-
1ating library are apparent to all, but TO
the handicraft man and mechanic OF the
community such an institution would prove
an inestimable boon, since during the weeks
| of enforced idleness the library would be
patronized by them to their moral and in
| tellectual improvement. 81
The children of the worKingmen are
| compelled to leave school after. passing
| through the sixth. seventh and eighth
| grades to aid in the support of their fami-
lies. At the close Of their day of labor
| their evenings are unemployed, and the
| habits of study ACQUIRED at school are in
| many instances dissipated by tEe. influence
| of street-cprner loafng and vicious habits
through such aSsocia tons, and the absence
| of opportunities to improve their tinoccu-
| pied time.
THE Congressional Library is unavail-
| able to this class of our citizens owing to its
| regulations nand hours. The departmental
| libraries are also inaccessible to them; hence
| the need of free circulating library, open
| at all reasonable hours and avafiable for the
| Use of all classes Of our people, is urgently
! felt by your petitioners. To this public want
! the attention of the honorable body over
which you preside is respectfully solicited
| in the belief that the adoption of the pro-
| posed measure will remedy the evil of which
| & cOmDlain
Standing Committees.
President McHugh announced the follow
ing as the ste nding committees for the en-
suing six months: Ways and means-Messfs
James Mcknight, G. o. Cook, A. NJ. Ashley
A S. Cowen and Thomas McCarty. Legis
| lative-Messrs. E. NJ. Blake, j. ]. Mccarthy
w. H. stickles, S. De Nedry and j. K Pot
| ter Press-Messrs. J. X. Potter, S. H. Bell
E. o. Sullivan. Contract-Messrs. Milford
Spohn, E. ]. Rea, William Moran, Roya
| Carroll w. L. Bailey. Propaganda-D
Dougherty. Joseph Kelley, Frank Corners
w. H. Wilder and j. S. Nesmith
WOrkmen on the Post Office.
Complaint was made that the workmen O,
the rev post office building are not properl.
protected from danger in their present EN-
ploymcnt, and a committee was appointed
to see the contractor and ask that the RICH
sort of safeguards be provided.
The chairman of the legislative committe
reported that the bills known as the employ
ers' liability act and the act for securin,
the better protection of employees as regard
wages in case of the assignment of employ
ers have been introduced into the House b,
Mr.. Gillette.
The Federation Endorsed what is known a
the Combine" label, which will be attache,
to all union beer brought here for the flu
ture.
The committee to whom was referred tn
matter of soliciting the aid of the real es
tate dealers in the issue of bulletin a
stated intervals having for it's object tn
employment of more union men in the re
pairing of houses, made report that the
also proposed to include the members O
District Assembly No GO, knights of Labor
and the building trades council in the al
| rangement The report was adonted an