Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-02-20
A woRk1NGMEN's COUNCIL.
An Organization Composed of the
Building Crafts.

COnDO0S0
Building Crafts.
The Building Trades Council, which is a
representative body. composed exclusively
of the building trades of this city. was or
ganized September 10. 1894.
Those experienced in the building trades,
as stated in preamble defining the pur-
poses of the organization, were convinced
That in no other city of the United
States was the necessity for a thorough
combination and amalgamation of the va
rious building trades more apparent than
In Washington. Unlike the larger COM
mercial centers. where the largest per cent
OF skilled labor Is engaged in the MANI
factory Industries, the building industry
OF the city. particularly during the
prosperous decade Immediately preceding
the formation Of the council was the most
important as affecting the interests of the
organized crafts. The objects of the coun-
ell. as set forth in the preamble and con-
sttution. are Ito centralize the united eff
forts and experience in the building trades
to form one compact body, with common
interests, to prevent that which may be
INJURIOUS and to properly perfect and carry
into effect that which they deem adyan-
tageous, and for the common good of ALL"
Established upon this basis, the council
soon became a very successful organiZa-
ton, composed of the following locals:
Bricklayers' Union, Carpenters Union, No.
l; brotherhood of Carpenters, No. 100:
Amalgamated Society of Carpenters, Car
penters Assembly. 174S: Plasterers' AS
emily Painters Assembly. Stonecutters'
Union. Granite Cutters Branch, Stone
masons Union. Timers Assembly. Struct-
ural Iron Workers Assembly, Electrical
workers Union, Steamfitters' Association,
Helpers.
me thirteen trades represented were en-
titled each to five delegates
10 maintain this basis of representation
each OF the four organizations Of carpen-
ters We're limited to one delegate. and. to
equalize the craft representation, one dele
gate-at-large was chosen by the Carpen-
ters Council. which was an executive body.
several organizations of that craft
Mr. OBrien's term expiring in January.
1870, MT William Silver of the Granite
cutters Branch was chosen as presiding
oincer. ana, as an evidence Of his popular
ity. he has been elected successfully three
terms, having been chosen by unanimous
vote OF the council for presiding officer
during the present term
While the object of the formation of the
council was stated to be union of the build
ing trades for the common interests of all
concerned, it finally became obvious that
the union was not producing harmony AS
d result OF organization, a majority of the
building trades were union ORGANIZATIONS
and thus gave character to the council.
which was not approved by the District
Assembly &C. which is the local represen-
There is frequent friction and dissen-
sion. largely due to the efforts of the as
semblies to control the council and make
it auxiliary to D. A. 66.
At no time was D. A. 66 or the local fed
GRAFTON tolerant of the council, and 1t was
never formally recognized as a legitimate
BODY, but was rather regarded tres
passing within the domain of the two
bodies.
Being composed largely of unions and
organized on union basis, no serious de-
lection occurred until d. A. I'll and the
local federation imposed the boycott upon
the local breweries. in November, 1896
The sentiment of a majority of unions
composing the council was not favorable
to the boycott, while those of the X. of L.
assemblies Endorsed it and demanded that
the council do likewise.
This a majority refused to do for the
reason that the council had no jurisdiction
in the matter. Not being legislative
body and being maintained for the specific
purpose Of unioniZing building construc-
ticn, the question of the boycott was left
to the consideration Of the various unions
As result of the refusal of the council
to be governed in the matter by the ac-
ton of d. A. 66 and the local fedora
ton an attempt was made to disrupt the
body by the withdrawal Of all the K. of
l.. assemblies, including the plasterers,
painters. timers, structural iron workers
and carpenters and the unions of stone
cutters and carpenters.
While the withdrawal of these organiza-
lions reduced the distinctive craft repre-
sentation to nine, the usefulness ana effec-
tiveness of the council was not seriously
impaired.
The aggregated membership of the Sc
coded organizations did not exceed 400.
Stree then several organizations have
been admitted, and at present the follow
ing trades are represented: Bricklayers'
Union. No. 1: Amalgamated Society of
carpenters and Joiners, Electrical Work.
ers. Granite Cutters. Brotherhood of Car
penters. No. 800; Steamfitters' Association
Stone Masons' Union, Galvanized Iron and
Cornice Workers Associations Union
! Brotherhood Of Painters and Decorators
The two last mentioned organizations were
recently formed, and restore the composi-
ton OF the council to representation Of
every important building trade in the city
- AS now constituted, the Building Trades
Council Is composed exclusively of trade
union organizations
nder these conditions perfect harmony
exists, ana during the past year. through
cooperative EFFORTS, much has been accom-
plished for the advancement of The in
terests not only of the building trades but
OF union labor organization generally. The
hnal secession Of the several organizations
determined those who remained loyal to
the council to provide against such posi-
bllities In the future 10y limiting the ELI
gibility of organizations to representation
to those holding only a union charter of
course TINS provision excludes K. OF J..
assemblies. but as the body is COMPOSED
exclusively of the building trades and all
those trades being now represented. it is
said THAT this exclusion does not impair
the efficiency of the body
Close relations exist between the Building
Trades Council and the Central Labor
Union, and in any matter of mutual in
terest there Is earnest cooperation and
support. The council meets every Tuesday
evening at Electrical Workers Hall. Jos
18th street northwest. The officers Of the,
council are: William Silver, president: F.
W. Goueden, vice president; j. NJ Boyce.
secretary: Richard Lanis, treasurer; Cor
don Beverly, sergeant alarms.
Through Sleeping Cars to Toledo.
Commencing February q, the b. and @.
r. r., in connection with the B. and o. S.
W. and c. H. v. and T., will establish a
daily line of Pullman sleeping cars between
Baltimore, Washington, Columbus and To-
ledo, via Parkersburg and Athens. The
west-bound train will leave Baltimore 1O:l5
pm, Washington II Is pm, and arrive at
Columbus 2:55 and Toledo 6:35 next after
room. This Is the best service ever offered
between Washington, central Ohio and
Michigan. and will doubtless prove to be
popular with the public.-Advt.
The Academy of Forty.
The Academy of Forty held it's February
session with Miss Emma M. Gillett as d.
rector. The topic of conversation was