The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-12-13
r. ]: CENTRAL LABOR UNION.
A Largely Attended eeting--ImporIant
Business Transacted.

When President Sullivan called the semi
monthly meeting of tho Rhode Island Central
Labor Union TO order LAST evening there was
a large attendance of delegates. In fact every
organization was represented and much on
thusiasm prevailed.
Credentials were received from the Machin-
lists Union and three delegates were obligated.
Several committees reported progress and
the reports from delegates as 10 trade in their
respective branches was not at all encourag
ing. The PAYERS and Founders reported that
the commissioner of public works had laid off
800 ru,-r, OF, city work and thought that more
discharges were to follow. This action of the
commissioner was not favorably received. and
the wholesale discharge OF the men was Sc
verely criticised.
At this juncture the regular order OF bust
ness was suspended TO allow Mr.. Isaac Cowen
Of the Amalgamated Society OF Engineers and
organizer OF the A. H. Of l.. OF Cleveland. O.,
who had presented bis credentials. the priv
ilege OF the floor.
Mr.. Cowen stated briefly the object OF his
visit, which was to solicit financial aid for the
Amalgamated Society of Engineers, who are
now on strike i'm Great Britain for an eight
hour day. The Amalgamated Engineers, he
has met every obligation and in 90 years, has
paid out s23 234, ,9s5 for benefits, as follows:
Unemployed benefit, $40, s54, ,eos sick, ss,ss.
444: old age pensions. 81, ,24, OPS; accidents,
ss4s. 2sO: funerals, 81, iso,olO; special relief
s4so, ,a25, and in Al years has donated 20 other
unions in distress the world over $4,000, or
an average of s29. 600 per year. The members
in the United states have received in benefits
20
per year, and this with membership of 2O0O
Mr. Cowen said that when the Amalgamated
Engineers were forced into this fight they had
ST. 10000 in their treasuries, and gave the
foregoing figures 20 show that they have al
ways tried to help themselves, and never
turned deaf ear 10 others In need, and said
that he had every confidence that when the
American workers know the true state OF
affairs they viii respond TO the appeal all
along the line, rs some few have already on
this continent. He said the continental work
ers have responded nobly. The German print
ers contributed 10000 marks; German stone
masons, 10000 marks; German metal workers,
10000 marks, aud other smaller unions have
contributed. Danish engineers and smiths
$1,000; Austrian metal workers, $l25 weekly
Swedish metal workers, $500; Australia slO-
~, New Aeaihnu, stUOf Montreal, Nanauhi
l15O0. Russia, Roumania, Japan and China are
among the contributors. The United states
% far has sent $500, but the speaker believed
that when these facts are known they will re-
spond worthy OF the name OF uni )nism. Up d
date the engineers and allied trades have
spent $2,G00,000 since July In their struggle.
Subscription blanks were thon passed Al ound
20 the various delegates TO present 90 their
hers for their attention the gentleman with
drew.
A committee was appointed 60 act in con-
iunct on with the legislation committee OF the
Painters Union 90 draw up n rciitiUn 10 pre-
sent 10 the commission on the revision OF the
state constitution, 60 endravor 90 secure the
Insertion IN the constitution % an eight hour
work day on state and municipal works
Much discussion was had under good and
welfare" of matters OF vital Importance 60
organized labor, after which the meeting al.
iourned.