The times., 1897-12-19
IN THE WORLD OF LABOR.

While the members Of organized labor in
the District have kept a close watch on
the action Of the American Federation
which has been in convention in Nashville,
Tenn, during the week just ended, the two
factions in Washington have had Il cir
eyes open TO what they consider Of vital
Importance TO the advancement of tlieir
individual interests.
The first instance of this is noted If the
action of the local Federation of Labor, in
their protest against the recognition OF the
representative of the local Building Ira des
Council by the National Convention of Build
ing Trades, which it is proposed TO hold in
st. Louis next week. The grounds of
protest of the local Federation viii be that
the local Trades Council is partisan and
personal in its action, and does not wholly
or properly represent the trades interest
of the District.
1t viii be maintained that the local trade
organization is arbitrary and unjust, mas
much as it has refused membership to one
of the legitimate trades unions of the city,
on the ground that it is affiia ted with tlIe
order OF the Knights of Labor. This ac-
ton, il viii be coDtended, is all the more
arbitrary bece use il Will be alleged that
there is no organization of the same craft
represented in the local Council. And that
the objection to tile organization referred
is because of its national affiliation is
shown by the statement that applicants Cor
admission to the Council Were informed
that they would be recognized only VIII an
they surrender ed their charter to the knights
OF Labor. IL Will be further alleged in the
protest that there are several trad des organ
1Zations in the city which do not affiliate
with the local Council on account of its
arbitrary methods, and which are really
and anxious to join a legitimate union Of
building trades if opportunity Were given
them.
Whether or not the protest of the local
Federation viii affect the standing of the
representative III the coming convention
cannot be safely Predicted. This much,
however is known at least; it is believed
by the members of the organizations which
join i'll the protest that the national or
ganization viii cause an investigation 10
be- made into the condition of trades mions
in tie District OF Columbia. In case 81 ch
action is taken better condition of af
rairs is looked forward to among local
building trades organizations.
The local Federation has also entered a
Vigorous protest against The orchestra ern-
ployed at one OF the leading theaters in
this city. II is understood that this mo-
test Is not based on any objection TO the
labor organization with which the MEM
bers al the orchestra are affiliated, INT
solely on the ground that the musicians
are non-resldcnts. A Committee from The
Federation called on the manage of The
theater referred TO, and he is reports ed as
having assured the labor delegation teat
lie would do all in his power to arrange
the matter amicably
The latest trouble which is agitatinc Local
labor is tho introduction of improved ma
cfinerS by a local firm of bakers. This.
While 1t immediately only effects the mem
bers OF the Bakers Cnion is a source Of
annoyance TO organized labor in general.
IL is sand that 20 far the experiment or
making bread by machinery is a success.
Inc use of machinery in making bread is
oT couise nothing very new. For wears the
''round bread hasbeen made by machinery,
but IT is net until very lately that machin-
cry has been IN vented which would .aal-n
long bread.
Ihe machinery introduced by the local
Iih' referred 10 is Of the latter kind, and
lt is feared by the members of the Bakers.
unions VIII revolutioniZe the ba king hrsi
ness In this city. The new machinery il
is sad, VIII turn out 1000 loaves of
eiead per hour. This is equivalent IN Tho
"ork OF eighty men. OF course, it viii
take quite number Of men to operate the