Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-13


quest to make the subject of eight hours.
or the shorter workday, a special theme for
their discussions. lectures or sermons. The
question was almost universally discussed
at the demonstrations last Labor day. The
assessment of 1 cent per member levied by
| the last convention, has been utilized for
| the general agitation and education upon
this question. Nothing remains now but
fer the final decision of this convention as
to the ways and means by which the pro-
5ect shall be carried into effect or whether
the Judgment of the convention is that the
time stated Is, in view of industrial condi-
tions a practical one, or whether 1t would
be advisable to await the full flood tide of
an industrial revival for it's general and
simultaneous enforcement. This question
must, of necessity. receive your careful
consideration.
Nothing, perhaps, would be more hurtful
than an unwise decision. OF course, we do
not anticipate that at one given moment
| the general eight-hour day will be achieved,
but there can be no doubt but what con-
centraticn of thought and effort to attain
this and the designation of particular day
to endeavor to secure it will largely attract
the attention of all and succeed in accom-
plfshing much. If the judgment of this
convention is that May 1, 1893, is the one
upon which the bugle call for labor shall
be sounded, none will enter it with greater
enthusiasm and undaunted spirit than We
Yet. if the deliberate conclusion of this
convention is that the simultaneous effort
should be deferred until a more oqportune
year. that should prevail.
Labor Lexi.Intion.
The legislative committee elected by the
Cincinnati convention proceeded to the
capital and Immediately pressed for the
passage of legislation resolved upon by
the convention. Our success, however
has been largely negative since much
legislation vicious and inimical to the
interests of labor in general was defeated.
In an interview with the President he
expire sscd himself in favor of the labor
organizations and equally so in favor of
legislation in the interest of labor. 1t
was suggested that he might his great
office to recommend this legislation to
Congress. He expressed regret that his
first annual message would contain so
much important and pressing matters as
would preclude the probability of his be-
ing able 10 touch upon labors interest,
lut if this was omitted in his first mes
sage it would be made subject of a
special message to Congress.
Municipal. Ownership.
Municipal ownership of public works. a
bugaboo of a decade ago. when first de-
| lnanded by labor, is now fast becoming
popular. It is safe to say that there Is
| now more extensive municipal owner
ship and control of water works. gas and
electric ligi.t systems and other features
which, in their natures, are monooolies.
than is eXtant elsewhere in the world. Our
fellow unionists should urge. with renew
ed vigor, the extension and practical APP
plication of this principle, so conducive to
our general well-being.
AS already indicated, legislation antag-
onistic to the interests of labor and the
progress of the labor movement has been
prevented not only in national Congress
but in state legislature 1t should be
noted. too that quite a degree of success
was secured in the progress of state leSis-
IL Iion in the interest of the workers. There
are but few legislatures which have not
during the past year passed laws OF a
beneficial character, amelioratVe OF the
Conditions of labor. granting greater rec
ognition of and guaranteeing better pro-
lection to the organizations of labor
A skillfully drawn bill was introduced
in tie House. ostensibiy to prevent con-
spiracies among employers to blacklist
employees but upon close scrutiny 1t was
anpareat that if enacted it would react
upon organized labor in any ATTEMPT to
enforce union rules and union conditions
in an establishment. We entered a Wig
orous protest against it and it failed OF
passage.
Postal Telegraph and Savings Banks.
The establishment of a postal savings
bank system and also a postal telegraph
SYSTEM long since demanded by organized
la Dor, seems nearer accomplishment than
at any previous time Powerful allies
nave Deen "Ct " Ot'I sue VI t.fSSS NS-
mands, and public opinion has undergone
much of a change in their favor. A we'll
directed effort on our part will beyond
doubt soon result in success.
Compulsory Arbitration.
1t is submitted to you whether it would
lot be wise to modify our position in SO far
as to interpose no objection to the passage
of law providing for compulsory arbitra-
ton in disputes between the organized en-
ployes of the railroads and the railroad
companies, and the giving o. an award by
such lawful arbitrators; but we should
hesitate to give cur Endorsement to any
legislation, state or national, empowering
the compulsory enforcement of an aWari
and the specific enforcement of a contract
to labor.
Enlisted Musicians.
AS a result of correspondence and inter-
views with department officers, order
has been issued which will in a large meas
ure prevent musicians in the government
service competing with civilian musicians
Although all that is desired is not accom-
plished some progress On this line has been
made. With this matter properly and per
sistently presented. there is no doubt but
what the desired end will be achieved and
thus aid our working musicians from the
unfair competition of enlisted men, who are
supported by the taxation upon our people
Convict Labor.
The evils of the convict labor system as
conducted in many Of our penal institutions
of the several states are only modified to
very slight degree. However, the system
| now in the state of New York has proven
the best solution thus far attained. That
system provi les that convicts be employed
only at such work as to provide the neces-
sites for the maintenance of themselves
and the eleemosynary institutions of the
state. 1t is urged that this system be ex-
tended to all other states as one of the best
means to solve the problem. In the mean
time We should endeavor to secure the
passage of the bill known as the O'Neiil
bill, which, with slight changes, would be
of great advantage.
Railroad Safety Appliances.
A little more than four years ago our
federation co-operated with the railroad
employees brotherhoods to secure the pas
sage of a law known the Safety appli-
ance act" passed March ., 1893. Under the
terms of the law, the railroads were re-
CURED to equip all their with uniform
couplerS and train brakes by january l.
| 1898. A provision of the law gave the in
terstate commerce commission power to