Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-05-25
LABOR BODIES LEGISLATE
Weekly Meeting CT the Central Labor Union
Last Evening.
Boycott on n River Resort Dfsapprov-
ed-The Condition of the City
Laandries Discussed.

The weekly meeting last evening of the
Central Labor Union was attended by rep
resentatives from nineteen trades unions.
The proceedings were more interesting
than usual, and the body did not adjourn
until near midnight. President Milford
Spohn presided, and Mr.. ]. ]. Crowler Off
ciated as secretary.
Several reports provoked long and earn
est discussion, particularly that OF the
ways and means committee, which sub
mitted a proposition for an excursion 10 be
given by the Central Labor Union July 30.
Expresscd Disapprovnl.
In considering the report a boycott now
imposed on river resort by local organ
izations was referred to incidentally, and
many Of the delegates expressed them
selves as opposed to the hasty and i'll
ADVISED lmI.t sition of the boycott. The
former methods which have prevailed with
the other central bodies of the District
were condemned, and the general senti-
ment expressed favored conservative and
Conciliatory action.
The special committee appointed at a
previous meeting to inquire into the con-
ditions of the laundries in this city sub
Elitted a report of their Investigations
during the past week, which included five
steam laundries, two of which, it was
stated, work the employees under very in
fair conditions.
The report stated that the girls employed
In one of these concerns are obliged to la
Dor from am. until pm, many of them
being paid $3.50 per week, without COM
pensation for overtime. In another con-
Germ the employees work regularly until 10
O'Clock at night, and frequently as late as
2 O'Clock in the morning, and are paid 50
per week, without extra compensation.
The sanitary conditions of these laundries,
it was reported, were very bad.
The Contrast.
1t was ascertained, after inquiry, that
the hours of work in ether laundries rarely
exceeded eleven hours, for which the en-
ployes received s. per week. In this con-
nection the committee had read an extract
from an article written by DIR. H. c. Brace
and published in late issue of the Amer
lean Journal of Health, which stated that
the editorial management of that journal
had for some weeks conducted a thorough
and impartial investigation of the laun-
dries in this city, for the purpose of ascer-
tanning their sanitary and hygienic condi-
tons The article concludes with the state
ment that with clear understanding of
our duty in the matter we do not hesitate
to say that our search revealed the fact
that but few laundries in Washington pay
proper attention to the requirements of
sanitation and hygiene. Not many were
found to be above severe criticism in this
respect"
After hearing the report of the commit
tee the organizer was directed to organize
the laundry employees, the only means
by which they can secure better conditions.
Several delegates reported that various
retail grocers have refused to handle the
product of the Armour Packing Company
after being informed of the unfair condi-
tions prevailing in the firms establish
ments.
The Unpaid Carpenters.
Delegate Heisley reported that the car
penters who have been employed at Glen
Echo for several weeks had quit work be-
cause of the failure of the contractor to
pay them their wages, which are several
weeks overdue, and, through his union.
Mr.. Heisley advised carpenters to stay
away from Glen Echo until the men are
Caid.
The contract committee reported that the
erection of the Jewish synagogue had pro-
vided in the contract that only local union
labor shall be employed.
The Central Labor Union Endorsed the
statements published in The Star. which
emanated from the Building Trades Coun-
Gil and Brotherhood of Painters and Dec
orators, in reply to the circular of Paint
ers' Assembly, 174S, X. Of L., in reference
TO the pending troubles between Capt. E. s.
Randall and the K. of L. organizations
Capt RandalPs reply to the statements
made in certain quarters to the effect that
he had employed non-union painters was
also read.