The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-04-19
LABOR MEN To SEE REED
Committee of the Federation TO
Call on the Speaker.
FORCIBLE PROTEST TO BE MADE
1t VIII Be Made Clear to the Autc-
crat of the House That Working
men Object TO His Present Legis-
lafive Tactlcs-Session OF the Ex-
ecutive Committee.

In response to a call issued by President
GomperS, the executive council of the
American Federation of Labor began its
quarterly session a [ the headquarters, cor
Ber Of Fourteenth and u streets, this morn
ing. 1t is stated on the very best auth ority
that one Of the principal subjects discussed
at this session will be an attempt, soon to
bemade blythe Federation, To spur Congress
into activity.
Already Uue report says. a committee of
100 OF tie leading Tnen in the American
Federation has been appointed to call on
Speaker Reel before next Wednesday Presi-
dent Gompers win head the delegation
The purpose, it is further reported, is to
explain TO MIR Reed the very great ne
cessity, now that Congress is in ses-
sion, fer legislation other than the tariff
bill
The argument will he advanced that the
House OF Representatives has no right to
waste the time that will necessarily elapse
before the tariff Legislation is definitely
passed II viii further he impressed upon
Mr.. Reed, the same report states, that
the committee addressing him represents
an organized body OF SOS, 900 men and
it voices the interests of labor.
President GosnneTs, when asked concern
iag the report this morning, said: II can
at present say nothing with regard to
this matter, except that il the report
means that the committee is to urge Con-
EresSional activity during this present
session it is erroneous
Another subject which will undoubtedly
take up much OF the councils time is the
agitation in favor of an eight-hour working
day.
At the last convention Of the Federation,
held in Cincinnati in December, 1895, that
body resolved that a general agitation
should he inauEurated for the adoption of
the eight-hour workday on May /, 1898.
and in the meantime simultaneous mass
meetings should he held throughout the
country to discuss and gitate the ques-
tion, and also that each of the national
unions OF the country in affiliation with
the Federation to select one Of its MEN,
bers located at the seat of the headquar-
ters to form an advisory board.
This advisory board met in this city
on the ! 9th of this month, and decided
To act in conjunction with the executive
committee in this matter. 1t also decided
that the request should be made to all
workers throughout the Country TO hold
mass meetings in their respective local.
tics on May / in favor Of the proposed
eight-hour day.
This proposition of fthe advisory board will
probably be accepted by the executive coun-
Gil and active preparations made to insure
the success of the meeting.
The meeting this morning was called to
order promptly at 1 o O'Clock by President
Gompers. A committee, consisting of Jo-
seph Duncan, Joseph 0'Cenneil and NJ.
III. Garland was appointed TO audit the
books OF the Federation, and a recess
taken TO give them time toprepare their re-
port.
The committee reeonvened at noon and
will probably continue in session until a
late hour tonight, with short reeesses for
meals. The sessions will continue tomor-
row and Wednesday and as much longer as
the business Of the council Warrants.
The council is composed of President
Samuel Gompers, First Vice President z.
J. McGuire, Second Vice President Joseph
Duncan, Third Vice President James 0'Con-
nell, Fourth Vice President NJ NJ. Garland,
Secretary Frank Morrison and Treasurer
John D. Lennon.