Evening star., 1897-01-19
Central Labor Union Acts on Electric
Light Trouble.
SENATOR SHERMAN'S CONTRACTS
Street PAYERS Ask to Have Their
Old Wages Restored.
o 7 H E r b U SIN ES s


attended meeting last evening" and much
important business was transacted. Presi-
dent Milford Spohn occupied the chair, and
Mr.. J. j. Crowley was secretary.
A preamble and resolutions resnectinp the
Potomac Light and Power Company were
adopted, as follows:
whereas the laying of conduits in the
streets of this city by the Potomac Electric
Power Company, under legal permit from
the District Commissioners. is now being
considered by Congress, and
whereas, the work now being done by
the Potomac Electric Power Company re-
quires the employment of several hundred
mechanics, who, under the present de-
pressed trade conditions, in the midst of
winter, would be forced into idleness. and
many to absolute want IL this work is sus-
pended and the permit of the District Com
missloners is revoked by Congress, and
w hereas, knowing that at least thous-
and residents are now dependent upon this
work Tor the means 10 supply the COM
mon necessities of life, and that the layinc
OF these subWays and the use thereof in
competition with a company which claims
exclusive privileges of the streets of Wash
lngton, Is public benefit and an enter
prise which should be promoted by every
citizen who favors equal trade privileges
and opportunities; therefore
Resolved, That we regard as incidious
any Legislation which will prohibit the ex-
tension OF subways now beng constructed
and which Will thus maintain the exclusive
privileges of corporation, thus fostering
monopoly, to the injury of the best in
teresis OF the people.
Resolved, That the Central Labor Union
representing the organized labor of the
District, for the reasons herein stated, and
in the name of the labor of the District
earnestly protests against the passage OF
the Senate joint resolution. which Will pro-
he. m ri har inn, Of sha
ways of the Potomac Electric Company,
and respectfully petition Congress to con-
firm the action OF the District Commission
ers, and the judicial decision in the matter
involving the question of law and the right
of the Potomac Electric Power Company
to continue 10 completion the plan OF sub
ways now being constructed
The resolutions were referred to the leg
islative committee, who will bring the mat
ter TO the attention of Congress.
PAYERS Wages.
The following communication from the
PAYERS Union was indorsed and also re-
ferred 10 the legislative committee:
.At a special meeting of PAYERS Protec-
tive Union No. L of Washington, ID. c., the
following resolutions were adopted:
1t being fact well known to all per-
sons interested in paving that the wages
of practical PAYERS prior TO July, 1894. We're
$3.2j per day, when Mr.. Moss, the superin-
tendent OF repairs reduced the pay TO 81
per day, and made further reduction in
January, 1876, to $l.I5 per day, therefore
be it
Resolved, That the Central Labor Union.
through its proper committee, request that
the Congress OF the United States inquire
into the authority of Mr.. Moss to SO reduce
PAYERS wages; and be it further
Resolved, That Congress pass a bill
peremptorily fixing the wages of practical
PAYERS at - per day, and that none but
he.
work"
The PAYERS also reported that non-union
PAYERS We're being employed on the con-
duit work now being done by the Potomac
Electric Power Company, and the matter
was referred to the grievance committee.
1t was reported that the work on the
apartment houses to be erected al 10th and
Z streets northwest by the National Cap
tracted for, and the committee was con-
unued with Instructions to procure the
work If possible, for union labor.
Delegate Gompers of Typographical Tn
ion reported that at the last meeting or
that body committee had been appointed
to actively urge the use of the union-made
blue label cigars by the members of the
organized crafts
Delegate Weber reported that his orean,
zation had withdrawn from the National
League of Musicians. and had applied for
charter from the Federation of Musi-
cians which Is allied to the American
Federation of Labor.
Delegate McCrink of the Engineers Union
stated that the engineers had lately form
ed national organization, which was affil-
lated with the American Federation of
Labor and that al the next meeting OF his
union they would apply for a charter from
that body.
A resolution was adopted condemning the
amendment to the bill now pending in the
Senate, which restores f1ogging in the iner-
chant marine service. Mr. Andrew Fure-
seth Of the Lake Seamen's Cnion who is
interested in the bill, was invited to be
present and address the Central Labor
Union on the subject at the meeting Mon
day evening next
Senator Sherman's Contracts.
Delegate Shandley of the committee hav-
ing charge Of the questions growing out of
the proposed erection, by Senator Sherman,
Of nine houses in Northwest Washington
reported that they called on the senator
a second time, ard he again referred