The morning times., 1896-08-09
FEDERATION OLE LABOR.

The regular weekly meeting of the Fed
tration of Labor was held on last Tues
DAY evening in Plastercrs' Hall, Four "a nd-a-
nalf street and Pennsylvania avenue. In
the absence of President McHugh, who is
put on an official tour connected with the
Stonecutters Association, the first vice
president, F. NJ. Blake, occupied the chair.
Diving TO the intense heat the delegates
showed disposition to transact only ur-
gent business and the result was the meet
ing was one of the shortest held for some
time,
Representatives from thirtyfive local
organizations were in attendance. Creden-
tials from the StonccuttcrS', Painters and
Tile Layers Associations were read and
accepted,
The principal business ofthe evening was
on a Communication calling the attention
of the Federation To an alleged violation
of the national eight-hour law. The charge
was that the contractor for the repairs and
Improvements now being made on the Wal
ZACH school building was compelling his
employees To work nine hours per day. 1t
was stated that the men on the work had
been interviewed and 1t was learned that
with the exception Of the brickIa yerS, who
were union men, all the rest ofthe employees
were workingin viola ton of the law. Some
Of the delegates present were acquainted
With The facts in the case, which were that
when the work was first started IL was
done on an eight hour kasis, but after the
first week, the hours of labor were in
creased TO nine per day. The men on he
work had further stated that while the
hours of labor had been increased there
was no increase of pay. 1t was also stat
ed that the wages paid on the job were
Tar below the current rate paid in this
city. On motion, the matter was referred
TO special committee to thoroughly Inves-
9gate the case, and II was given full power
IN praSpcufp- DrpVilpd The facts nrpyad n
be as represented.
Report Was had from the Workingmen' g
Library Association, showing the good
work that institution was accomplishing.
1t was stated that while the readiBg-room
was we'll equipped with reading matter,
still there WAS a constant denian nd for more
of the standard magazines. Several dele
gates offered suggestions as TO how these
could be procured, when II proposition to
request each Organization affiliated with
the Federation Ia subscribe 81. for pnr-
chasing the ma gaines wa s acceptedan the
delegates instructed 10 call the attention OF
their respective organizations TO this mat
ter.
The auditing committee reported that
the books and quarterly report of the
financial secretary-treas urer had been
carefully examined and found correct and
that the finances of the Federation We're
IN a healthy condition.
The Street Car Assembly delegates re
ported the discharge Of another member OF
the assembly from the employ of the Metro
politan Railroad Company for no apparent
cause except that Of being connected with
organized labor. The action of the Fedora
ton in placing the Metropolitan road on
the unfair list was stated to be meeting
with desired effect and if observed rgidly
would soon end with Il full recognition of
organized labor.
The conference committee on Labor Day
excursion reported that the last meeting
had been well attended. nearly every
affiliated local organization having sent
accredited delegates. The tickets for the
excursion We're out, and would be dis
tributed among the locals for sale. Owing
to the demand for tickets special commit
tee had been appointed to secure more
boats for the occasion. The committee on
entertainment had prepared splendid pro-
gram.
Prizes would be offered for boat. bicycle
and foot races. The celebrated Rooster
dance would be introduced and q prize
Offered to the most accomplished lady TAX
ing part. The committee had no hesita alton
In predicting tina handsome amount would
be realized from this excursion and fully
Justify the expectation OF the committee in
their efforts TO secure a sufficient
sum to defray the expense of erecting a
suitable monument over the remains OF
the late E. ] Rea and his wife.
Delegates from the Lithographers' As
ISOLATION presented TO the Federation for
the use of the Library Association two
handsomely bound volumes of the history
of the Great photographers Strike, which
had been published 10 show the effectiveness
OF arbitration in settling labor disputes.
The books were accepted and turned over
70 the mapag ers OF the Labor Bureau.
Secretary Maidens called attention to
the case Of Mr.. l.. j. Palmer, OF the
Structural IroDworkers, who. several weeks
ago, fell from the second floor of the new
city postoffice building. Mr.. Palmer was