The times., 1897-08-22
BRAINS AND BRAWN.

When the great coal miners strike, which
has been threatening the coal industry
and agitating the labor world for the
last two months or more, is over, whether
won or lost by the wage-earners, the
trades umonists of the District can re-
fer with pride TO the assistance they ren
for betterrnent of their condition. No
sooner than the appeal Of the labor lead
ers, who were in conference at Wheeling,
W. Va, was reeeited ny the local trades
un,onist leaders than a relief committee
was appointed by the Central La Dor Uhi n
and the members went among all the loca:
unions, soliciting aid for the starving
miners.
The success met with by the soliciting
committee Is most satisfactory. During
the last week mofe than $3.50 has been
collected from the local unions and for
warded to the secretary OF the United
Mine Workers for the support of the strikers
So far only about One-half of the local
UNIONS have been appealed TO by the
soliciting committee, and when the
others are heard from IL can be confidently
expected tnat the cont ribution or the
local UNIONS affiliated with the Central
Labor Union Will amount to over 5000.
Besides the contributions made by the
organizations connected with the G. L. Il ,
Columbia Typographical Union, No. 1o1,
has contributed literally to the miners
fund. at tie last meeting OF the union, by
unanimous vote; an assessment OF Ia of
per cept on the earnings OF the members
for the next thirty days VI as levied, and
VIII be collected by the various chapel
chairfnen 1t i s estimated that the as
secsTneut Will amount 10 over 1915, which,
added to the contributions through the
Central Labor Union, will foot up over
$3.50.
The appeal of the miners for aid has prob
ably directed the attention Of the executive
officers Of the American Federation ot
Labor 10 the fact that there are several
trades unions in the District which are not
affiliated with the Central Labor Union.
These unions, are, it is sad, connected with
national trade organizations which are
represented in the American Federation of
Labor, and consequently, there can be
no reason why the unions in question are
not connected with the local central bodS
70 which they properly belong. 1t is under
stood that the situation will be referred by
the American Federation of Labor 10 the
national Unions with which the local unions
referred 10 are affiliated, with a request
that they apply for proper local repre- Senta-
ton or tell the reason why. 1t is believed
that the ca use of the estrangement between
the loca iuuions and { he Central La Dor Union
is due to petty personal jealousies, and
not on account of any want OF loyalty ou
the part of the organizations referred to
However this may lie, the national authori-
ties will be asked to do all possible TO bring
about a more friendly relationship betwee u
the local unions.
TIE recently-organiZed carpenters *.
ecutive board is already proving effective
in labor circles, especially in all matters
concerning the building trades.
AT @ recent meeting of the board the fol
lowing rules which viii in u great measure
prevent any disseEsion among the alet
unions as well as advance the interests OF
the trade generally We're adopted:
"Eight hours shall be the recognized
length OF work day until further notice,
and the rate for wages for same shall be
For over time not less than time and half
time shall be paid for, and for Sunday work
not less than pay for double time shall be
received.
''No job shall be considered fair unless
the above terms are strictly complied with
s.FoIen en- having Immediate charge ul
ca arpeItcrs On union jobs must be mem
bers OF union.
.'No member of any union herein repre-
sented shall be grantedis working card when
in arrears. or who has not paid his full
initiation fee.
mo applicant can be admitted to the
unions who is to act as foreman, or as
sumo any control whatsoever upon astriotly
union job. -
The executive board shall have powe,
to cail union men Off from any job or shop
where the standing trade rules are being
violated. The board shall also take pre-
cadence to tile organization in all cases OF
differences and disputes between Union
men and employers with the object of ad-
justirg same
Local labor is very much interested in
the outcome Of the contentious of tine Stone
Cutters and Granite Cutters Unions, oil
Chicago. in reference to the details of the
construction Of the new postoffice at Chi
cago. The stone cutters itappears had fears
that the material which is to be used in
the erection of the building would not be-
prepared by union labor, at union prices
/ and a ?o,n,nitte of the Chicago union came
to this city to discuss the matter with The
Supervising Architect, and requested thai
all the work Of preparing the building ma
, terra, should be done in Cook county, Ill.
by union men, at regular rates This wa,