Evening star., 1897-05-04
CENTRAL LABOR UNION
Condition Of Disputes Reported at Regular
Meeting.
Employers ef Labor Who Have Taken
ON Union Men-Conferences
With Mr. Randall.

The regular weekly meeting of the Cen
trail Labor Union was held last evening,
President Milford Spohn in the chair and
Mr.. ]. J. Crowley secretary.
Representatives from twenty-three or
ganizatiors were present, and much impor-
tant business was transacted.
A communication was read from the
Rockford, ILL.,, Central Labor Union. call
ing attention to the fact, as alleged, that
the Royal Mantel and Furniture Company
of Rockford. ILL.,, have been prosecuting
their workmen for no other cause than
that they were members of the American
Federation of Labor, and had asked that
unpaid back wages be paid them, and they
requested that the members of the trade
unions of Washington do all in their power
to discourage the sale of the goods of that
company which It is understood are
handled here by two houses. The matter
was referred to a special committee for
speedy investigation and report
Delegate Owens of the special committee
in reference to the employment by him of
painters allied with the Central Labor
Union submitted a report, of which the fol-
lowing is copy:
"The committee waited on Mr.. Randall
and requested him not to discriminate
against members of the Brotherhood of
Painters and Decorators Local Union, No.
10. He replied that he had no desire to
discriminate, but he did not know just
what course to pursue, as the Knights of
Labor had informed him that they would
not work with brotherhood men. as they
claimed that the brotherhood is not le-
gitimate organization.
Mr.. Randall was convinced that L. U.
10 was the only local branch of the Inter-
national Painters organization in this
country, being one of nearly three hundred
painters, organizations, comprising the Ma
tional Brotherhood, and affiliated with the
American Federation of Labor. whose
membership is S65,0O0, and which locally
outnumberS all other organizations about
five to one. Mr.. Randall acknowledged his
entire satisfaction as to the right of the
brotherhood to recognition. and promised
that as soon as he got ready to paint the
steamer Randall he would employ brother
hood men to do the work.
supplementary to the above we will re-
port that since our visit to Mr.. Randall he
has employed brotherhood men on the
steamer Randall, while the foreman. who
was knight of Labor and was fined $50
by the Painters Assembly for working
with brotherhood men, has announced his
intention to leave the X. of L. and join the
union.
"One of the members of the committee
saw Mr.. Randall Saturday evening last and
was Informed by him that the men fur
nished by the brotherhood were the best
lot Of men he has ever had work for him
3pd that he was very much pleased with
Mem."
The committee appointed to investigate
the grievance of the Engineers Union
against one of the laundries of the city
made partial report and was continued.
They were instructed to make a full report
at the next meeting.
Delegate Hobson Of the special committee
appointed tC see Mr.. Goodwin, contractor for
stonework at the new city post office build
ing, who was reported by the granite cut
ters as working non-union soft stonecut-
ters, reported that Mr.. Goodwin refused to
employ union workmen, and that it would
be useless to take any further action in
the matter, whereupon the committee was
discharged from further consideration Of
the subject.
Delegate Silver, however, stated that the
granite cutters branch would take further
acton In the matter, as 1t was the especial
grievance of that body.
ine committee appointed to see Captain
blake, to secure II possible, the employ-
ment OF brotherhood painters upon the re-
pairs or the steamer River Queen reported
that they had been referred to Mr.. Jones.
the foreman In charge of the work, who in
formed them he would not employ anv
brotherhood men. The matter was referred
10 the grievance committee which was in
structed to demand that brotherhood paint
ers be recognized by him.
Credentials were received from the Jour-
reymen Horseshoers' Benevolent Society
ana the delegates were admitted and obii
gatel This is the organization which a dav
or Two since withdrew from the local fed