The times., 1897-05-30
BRAIN AND BRAWN.

The possibility and advantages OF having
only one central body in the DISTRICTS still
the all-absorhing topic of discussion among
the members of organized local labor
On the subject there is a great diversity
Of opinion among the leaders, some being
confident of its practi cability and its
advantages, while others assert that under
the existing conditions it is impossible and
unnecessary. There is, however, one point
on whicn all agree-thau there is too much
dissension among the local labor organ
izatiCns Even on this point, however, the
leaders disagree as 20 the cause.
Even among trade unionists there is q
wide difference of opinion as to the all
visibility of undertaking such a step as
the reorganization of the labor forces of
the District.
One of the most prominent trade union
lists in Washington, the president OF one
OF the four central bodies, in speaking Of
the matter, says:
"The statement that the organized la
bor in this city is in q demoraliZed condi-
ton and cannot advance the interests of
the local wage earners, is absolutely false
and misleading Such g statement will
not he made by anyone who has given at
tention to local conditions
1T is true, that the workingmen, like
all other classes of men, are not infaIlhle;
that in labor organizations. as in other
bodies, mistakes will be made, and at times
there will he more or less friction in trade
relations This has always been and will
continue to be, until men are purged of
the vices Of the human and become more
divine Unfortunately, however, we have
hat bliSSful condition
and we should phiIosophically strive to do
the best we can in our efforts toimprove con-
ditions, even though at times the means and
methods employed are not what some de-
serve.
III seems that some people are only salts
fled when all things go their way. This
seems to he the trouble at this time. But
why few personal grievances and disap-
pointments should be enlarged to a war
Of extermination or result in a factional
fend ro one can ten, and no one having
knowledge of the present local labor condi-
tions will apprehend.
"A few itle skirmishes between rival
labor organizations has been unduly nlagni-
fled and made the ground for statements
rr'ch libel the organized labor of this
District
between several organizations, but this
has been the case for the last ter years
Since 1856 organizations have been out
lawed by the central bodies, and the men,
bers OF organizations recognized as being
legitimate in every locality OF the country
have been denied affIiation, denounced
as scalss' aud driven from work.
Under these conditions ii was said that
all relations were harmonious and highly
satisfactory. The fact is that during the
lasT ten years Il ere has teen continual
war between rival organiza tons, which
In several instances has resulted in the
old central bodies placing some of the most
prominent business firms of the city on the
ssunfair' list. During that period more
than 500 boycotts were imposed, ranging
from the largest mercantile firm to the
smallest grocery. Yet this is the period
during which il is said the local organized
labor was In a better condition than now.
tDnr'nr that period lie local Federation
was the only central body with which the
trade ~ tans. coeid affiliate. IL was
purely localin character, having no national
alliance whatever. But finally tlssssakE -