Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-05-21
MIR. mcHuGH RESIGNS.
The Plan for Harmony and What 1t
Mems.

Means.
Mr. James F. McHugh, president of the
local Federation Of Labor, yesterday placed
In the hands Of Secretary Maidens his res
ignation of his Office, and directed that the
letter be read at the meeting Of the fedora,
ton Tuesday evening next.
1t Is understood that Mr.. McIdugh's mo-
tive in taking the step Is to aid in bringing
about, If possible, a union OF the varioua
crafts Of organized workingmen in the Dis
trict for the purposes of mutual benefit
Mr.. McHugh today stated to Star re-
porter that his resignation was impelled by
his becoming convinced in his own mind
that the highest results could never be at
tained by the members of organized labor
societies In the District of Columbia SO
long as the constant clashing which has
existed for more than a year between the
organizations belonging to the federation
and those affiliated with the Central Labor
Union continues. AS the matter now
stands. II one side secures q contract for
job Of work the others denounce 1t as
"scab."
Many instances could. hs saidp be men,
toned; the most prominent OF which was
the pending case Of Capt. E. 8. Randall,
Star of yesterday. and he was perfectly
satisfied that the only way to produce har-
mony In the ranks of organized labor in
the District was for the executive officers
OF all the central bodies to retire from
their present positions and let disinterest-
ed and unprecedented parties be chosen to
succeed them.
In taking this step Mr.. McHugh said he
did not intend to cease attending the meet
ings of the federation, but would from
his place on the floor do all in his power
to advance the welfare of the union men
here generally.
Mr.. McHuzh has been the choice Of the
Federation for the presidency seven con-
secutive terms. his last reelection having
been made by a unanimous vote. He is also
general secretary and treasurer of the Jour-
neymen Stonecutters' Association of North
America, In which capacity he has also
served nearly seven years.
Mr.. Spohn's Opinion.
In speaking about Mr.. .McHugh's resig-
nation President Milford Spohn of the Gen.
Jkral Labor Union this afternoon said
1.-THE resignation of Mr.. McHugh is of no
significance whatever. If 1t means any
thing at all, 1t means that the local Fed
GRAFTON has disntegrated to such an extent
that the presidency is not desirable.
so far as the resignation, as stated, be-
ing in the interest of harmony, any one
intimate with the local condition of labor
knows that this cannot be ACCOMPLISHED by
the efforts of Mr. McHugh.
1.-THE scheme to combine all the locals in
the District in a single central body with
out national utilization is now and ever will
be an impossibility.
ed the local Federation has been so con-
Quoted for years. and the trade union prin-
ciple of national utilization finally prevailed,
and the local Federation as a charterless,
Independent body, has rapidly disinteg-
rated.
This trial of the Independent scheme. I'M
der the most favorable condition. and its
failure leave no doubt as to the imprac-
ticability of the formation of a similar
body upon the debris of the local fedora
ton. Perfect harmony now exists among
the trades unions of this city and If there
is discordant element 1t is not blame
fable to the conditions Of organization, but
to the natural perseverance of a certain
class of men. who unfortunately are SO con-
stituted that they are only happy when
engaged In strife.
while at times the relations of some of
the organization become somewhat dis
cordant it does not portend a disruption of
the local labor forces. In fact. organized
labor in this city Is in a better condition
generally than ever before, and 1t is con-
fldently predicted by those intimate with
local labor conditions that at the end of
this year labor in this District will be in
a far better condition than ever before.
Thine will adjust all differences without
wasting time in the useless effort to change
the character of local organization by max
ing a crusade against the time-tried and
tine honored principles of trades union
ISM"