Evening star., 1897-04-03
Bodies 10 Be Represented.

Delegates from the local bodies are now
being appointed, and the first meeting of
the board will be held during the present
month. Representatives from the fifteen
local organizations allied with national and
international unions which are affiliated
with the American Federation of Labor
will constitute the board. These unions
are follows: Journeymen BARRIERS Tn
ion, No. Il; Bakers and Confectioners' Tn
ion. No. lis: Brewery Workers.. No. lis:
Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and
.Ioiners; Cigar Makers Union, No no.
Carriage and Wagon Makers Union
brotherhood of Electrical Workers. No. 26:
Granite Cutters Branch: Journeymen
Horseshoers' Union: Columbia Union Of
Maohinists, No. ia: Brotherhood of Paint
ers and Decorators, No. 11o; Printing
Pressmens Union: Journcymen Tailors'
Union and Columbia Typographical Union,
No. 101.
1t is presumed that the deliberations OF
this advisory board will result finally in
the formulation of some feasible plan for
the furtherance of the eight-hour move
ment.
They will also consider the suggestions
of the committee to whom the matter was
referred during the session Of the last con-
Vention, which were that mass meetings
for the purpose of agitation be held stimuli
taneously throughout the country on May
l. July 4, September g Labor day. and No
vember "A Thanksgiving day.. 1t was also
literally circulated; to request speakers,
newspapers and the labor press to dis
course upon the purposes of the eight-hour
movement; the issuance of circulars to the
employers requesting the concession OF the
eight-hour day; the appointment of COM
mitteeS TO confer with employers and Sc
cure the eght-hcur day without cessation
of work.
The convention also recommended that
all organizations make an effort to secure a
reduction in the hours of labor early as
possible, particularly during the spring. on
or before May l, 1897. In the meantime the
officers of national, international ard loca;
trade unions are requested to furnish full
information relative to the increase in or
ganization and the preparation for the in
auguration of general movement to re-
duce the hours of labor.
A Day Set to Begin.
Whatever may be the outcome within the
next thirty days as the result of action
aleng the line devised by the American Fed
Grafton of Labor, or within the next year,
the last convention has declared the pur-
pose to demand the general enforcement
of the eight-hour work day May 1, 1898,
peaceably. if possible, forcibIy, if neces-
sary.
1t is said by those identified with local
labor that unless there is a great change
for the better In trade conditions in the
District during the present year, it is not
probable that there will be an increase in
the number of eight-hour organizations. 1t
is said that comparatively few of the or
ganiZed workmen of the city work the
shorter day on private work, notwithstand-
ing the fact that the employees on govern
ment and municipal work are secured the
eight-hour day by statute. which, under
Formal trade conditions, should be favora-
BILE to any effort made to secure the shorter
work day.
1t is stated that the eight-hour organfza-
tions all of the building trades: the
Bricklayers' Union, with a membership of
GOO, being the largest. This organization,
after several attempts to secure eight
hours. one of which in 1874 resulted In the
disruption of The organization. succeeded in
1880 without cessa ton of work
In the spring of 1886 there was a con-
certed and united effort made by the build
Ing trades to secure the shorter day, which
resulted In lockout of several months
duration, which was finally terminated by
compromise on a nine-hour basis. Since
then, with the exception of the Steam and
Hot Water Filters, no organization has
made the demand for shorter work day.
The questions involved in the agitation
for the reduction Of the hours of labor are
claimed to be the inspiring cause of or
ganization. The committee on the eight
hour movement. In submitting its recon-
mendations to the late convention of the
American Federation Of Labor, tersely con-
ciided its report as follows:
An Economic Movement.
''The old ten-hour movement was large