The times., 1897-08-15
BRAINS AND BRAWN.

during the last week in local labor cir
Giles, and with theexceptionOf Of the initiatory
sep toward the formation Of Federal
Labor Union by the trades unionists,
no hing other than foutine business was
considered
The propostian to organize a Federal
Union was discussed at length last spring,
but little or nothing v as done toward per
fecting an organization until lately, when
Nr. Wlliaia Silver, president of the
Building Trades Council, was chosen gen
eraI organizer for the Central Labor
Union The necessity for such an organi
zation as the proposed Federal Union VIII
he has long been felt in local labor circles, +
and if lie scheme is carried to success its
result VIII be generally felt, not alone by
organized, Lut nnsknled, workmen. The
purposes OF the leaders among the trades
unioniss is tc organize, as far as possible,
both the skilled and unskilled wage-earners
OF the city Experience has taught the
moving spirils in this plan of organiZa
ton that there are great number of
skilled tradesnen in the District who are
not connected with any labor body.
III the ma sority OF instances il has been
found on investigation that the cause OF
this is principally because there are no
organized hodies of the craft to which
these workmen, properly should ally them
selves. This state Of affairs is because Of
the rules which govern organized labor.
According TO the laws, it is necessary
that at least seven laborers shall bind
themselves together 10 form a union.
In watching the condition and increase or
decrease Of the wsge-earner in the District,
ii has been learned that there are trades
men Of several crafts which are not con-
uec-ted with any OF the local labor unions
The cause OF this has beenfonnd to be that
there IS not sufficient number OF any OF
these crafts to permit OF their organizing
union Of their own. And it is for the pur-
pose of reInedy wing this state Of affairs
tnat the federal unionis intended. Accord
ing to the promoters of the new organiza-
ton, Il is Intended TO organize all the WORK
men. skilled or uusAiIled, OF the various
crafts not now affiliated with any labor
body, into one body. When, however,
sufficient number OF anyone craft has been
initiated into the general body, ii VIII DE
necessary for them 10 withdraw and form
union OF their OWL craft.
In addition to organizing z the skilled work
men, it is also proposed 20 pay special at
tention to tile banding together OF what
is known as common laborers, such Is driy-
ers clerks, street sweepers and workmen
IN any and all callin SIS, no matter what the
occupation.
Preparations for the celebr alton of Labor
Day are demandingthe closest tattentionofall
members or organized labor, and arrange
ment are progressing as satisfactorily as
can lie expected. All Knights OF Labor
and the unions affiliated with the local
Federation Of Labor viii join Carpenters
Assembly, No. l74S, K. of L., in the annual
excursion to Marshall Hall, and most en-
1ovatle and interesting time is anticipated
The members of unions connected with
the Central Labor Union and Building
Trades Council have joined forces and VIII
picnic as River View. Some OF the trades
nnionists. however, will follow their usual
custom and observe the workman's ma
tional holiday by a street parade. These,
too, however. viii join their brothers later
ia the day at the View
st both places interesting programs VIII
he arranged, and many friendly contests
between pleInsiers OF the different unions
viii take place. The most interesting of
these, perhaps, viii be the tug OF war;
between the dc- gates TO the Central Labor
Union and the building Trades Council,
and the hylroeycle race between members
OF the Engineers and Carpenters Assem-
bIies OF tue Knights of Labor.
The selection Of delegate TO represent
District Assembly No. sc at the next Gen
eraI Assembly of the knights of La bor,
which viii convene in November, is al
ready being discussed among the local
Knights District Assembly No. 90, 1t VIII
he remembered, sent two delegates to the
. =, f1E4- rrr1f fnf1
met st Rochester, n. Y. Only one Of the
delegates, however, was seated, it being
claimed by the general secretary-treas-
urer that tne paid-up per capita of the
local assembly only entitled it 10 one rep
resentative on the floor of the assembly.
The matter was appealed 20 the General
Assembly, the result being that the action
Of tie secretary treasurer was sustained.
This, together with other things, led to
bitter feelings between d. A. No. Sc and
the general officers at headquarters, the
result being a change Of officers in the
local assembly. How far the causes which
led TO the differences of opinion last year
viii affect the choice OF a delegate to the
next general assembly is not known. II is
confidently expected. however. that there
viii be several candidates for the position.
Although the General Assembly, as stated
above. viii lot convene until November, it
has been the custom OF the local district
assembly TO choose their representative
long before the convention meets.
The excitement caused 10y the campaign
and election Of Officers for Columbia Typo
rraphical Union, No. 1O1, has completely
sahsaded. The result appears To be salts
factory 10 all concerned, except perha ps
the defeated candidates, and even these
find no objection TO the selections made
by the rank and file OF the union. If there
ever was any feeling harbored by any OF
tie many candidates or their friends il
has vanished, and all will combine 20 give
tie new officers an enthu uGaaStic welcome
at their induction into office today.
The local Federation of Labor disposed
Of :he Atkinson" incident at its last meet
ing. Gov Atkinson, in a recent letter,
denies that the Federation has any just
cause for their action censuring him ON
newspaper reports. Under the circumstan-
ces. papers were the only source of in
formation. and as the reports upon which
tie Federation based the resolutions
were not denied by Gov. Atkinson, either
at the time ar since they were taken as
authoritative
Tie Federation, however, after discuss
ing the matter, determined to let IL drop.
The appeal of the labor leaders who as
sembled in Wheeling, W. Va, asking all
labor organizations To Contribute to the
support OF the striking, starving miners, met
x4-sta, 81 rranarauc racrsopsa fro,,, n.