The evening times., 1896-04-21
FAVOR PER DIEM Plan
Present Method Of Awarding Dis
lriCt Contracts Condemned.
AID TO PROMOTE J0BBERY
Washington Branch of the American
Federation of Trades and Ia bOr, Re-
Gently Organized, Adopt Strong Res
olutions on THIS SubJect-None Of
the Boycotts to Be supported.

There was q meeting last night of the
delegates interested in forming the Wash
ington branch OF the American Federation
of Trades and Labor Unions. President
Milford Spohn was in the chair and Secre-
tary z. T. jenkins at his desk.
Thirteen societies We're represented by
delegates-a majority OF them by full
quotas. The birteen societies number
$3.50 members. The organization of the
branch was completed, and it only remains
for the charter to be sent here from the CEN
trail body.
After n full discussion resolutions We're
adopted. Two of them are in direct oppo-
sition to the position ia ken by all other labor
bodies here, and were characterized by
President spobn this morning, in talking
with Times reporter. as a declaration
Of war. The resolutions are as follows:
PRESENT SYSTEM CONDEMNED.
Believing that the construction OF
District work under contract promotes
jobbery and results in faulty and dishonest
const ruction, which is an imposition upon
,he taxpayers and a wrong to the work
ingmen or the District; that as practical
workinrmcn engaged in building construc-
Ion we are convinced after years OF obser-
walton and experience that work done
under contract is much inferior to that
done by the day under practical supervis-
ION.
That under the present system of in
tense competition and price cutting, honest
work is impossible, and class of work is
condemned by any reputable builder having
imposed uEon the public which would be
charge OF first class private construction.
Believing that the repeal of the la W author
iZing and directing the District Commits
sioners to let such work under contract, and
the enactment of n Ia " providing that such
work should be constructed only by the day,
would be for the best interests OF the public;
Therefore, resolved. That the legis'
lative committee of the Federation is
hereby directed TO have prepared as soonas
possible a bill which shall provide for the
construction OF District work by employees
hired by the day and worked under the
control of the Commissioners, and that all
mechanics aud laborcrs so employed shall
be paid the ma xnuD rate OF wages paid in
Ibis District for the same work on private
constrCo otion.
Resolved, That the legislative commit
zee is hereby instructed to present said
bill to the proper committee OF Congress
as early as possible, and that prompt
Efforts be made to secure favorable legis
ative action thereon.
Resolved. That the legislative commit
Tee shall. through the secretary of this
body. communicate with the executive coun
ell of the A. F. of l.. and with all central
bodies affiliated herewith, and ask that
they request their Representatives in Con
gress to favor the measure.
1T is the sense of the Washington Branch
of the A. F. of L. that the boycott has been
too freely imposed and without proper re-
gard to Investigations before final action
was taken. 1t has appea red in many cases
and Misrepresentation has been the basis
for action.
NO BoYCoTTS RECOGNIZED.
"Thereforc. be it resolved. That this Fed
GRAFTON Will not support any of the boycotts
now in force, and that in the future this
Federation will not place Il boycott on any
individual or firm until all possible honor
able means have been exhausted to effect
a satisfactory settlement OF the difficulty.
Resolved. That the Washington Branch
of the American Fedora ton of Trades and
Labor Organizations hereby expressly dis
claims all responsibility for the boycott
now existing on Washington brewed beer,
which has been a detriment to the organ
lied labor of this city.
Resolved. That the various local unions
in this body are earnestly re-
qucsted to declare such boycott off until
such time as the same shall be proven to
be just and equitable.
Resolved, That the delegates to this
of Labor be directed TO request
their local unions TO require that the Mu
SiCal Union affiliated with this body be
employed al the river resorts, when they
may give a picnic or excursion. and also
employ the members of the said union upon
such other occasions as the various local
unions may need the services of local
musicians