Evening star., 1898-11-08
CENTRAL LABOR UNION
Preparations for Defense I'm AIIeueS
Conspiracy Cnse


At the regular weekly meeting last even
ing OF the Central Labor Union. President,
Szegedy presided. Mr.. J. l. Feeney. the
secretary. was absent having gone home
TO vote. and his place was taken by Mr.. J.
F. Mccormick
A communication was read from G NJ
enrich, secretary OF the joint defense COM
mttee, stating that a meeting OF the COM
mittee would be held Wednesday evening
o. this week; also that the indicted labor
men Will be arraigned in Judge Bradley's
court in the near future
The union in Considering the matter OF
the funds which have been received from
various organizations throughout the coun-
try TO be applied 10 the defense Of these
labor men, expressed "A desire that the
committee which has charge OF the matter
would make full report on the subject at
an early day.
A member of the committee who was a
joint depositor OF the fund. stated that all
monies received had been deposited with
the Washington Loan and Trust Company.
subject to check OF the joint committee, To
defray the legitimate expenses of the de-
fense. and that full report Of the sum on
hand would be made to the committee or
the Central Labor Union at the proper
time
The Labor day excursion committee stated
that final report would be made. probably
within the next week, after a meeting OF
the committee, and the reception by II from
the joint auditors of the Building Trades
Council and Central Labor Union.
The delegate from the Bakers and Con-
fectioners' Union stated that the agitation
of the question OF the price Of bread was
being considered by his organization. and
also by the employing bakers. and that IL
was was probable that report TIT, from me me
Central Labor Union will be made at the
meeting next week.
Referring to the report mentioned that
the question of a reduction in the price or
bread is being agitated. a prominent mem
ber of the Bakers ard Confectiouers' Union
said today:
1T is possible that If there is a reduction
in the price of bread TO cents a loaf II
may involve the rate of wages now paid
the union journeymen bakers
If the bakers reduce the price throuIh
competition of the cheaper bakeries or
through public demand they may make an
effort to retain their present profit by
either requiring their employees to work
longer hours at the present rate OF wages
or reduce the wages.
In either event. it is said, the Journey
men will refuse to accept the terms and
trouble will ensue. Tho iourneymen con-
tend that if the employing bakers could
realize a handsome profit by selling bread
at cents per loaf when flour was loo per
cent higher than il is now, without inter-
fering with their wages and hours. they
would not be justified in rfering with
the present rate of hours and wages of the
journeymen, even II forced TO sell bread at
a reduction of l cent.
In this opinion the members OF organized
labor generally are agreed, and they will
be in sympathy with any effort the Jour-
neymen bakers may maka to resist a re-
duction of their wages. The matter. should
it come to issue. Will involve a prnci-
pie of trades organization of far more inn
portance to the membership than the re-
duction of one cant a loaf per head.
1T is contended by those Immediately
interested that If bread is sold to the retsil
dealer for three cents the profits Of the
baker would be fully as large at the pres
ent low price of flour they were wuen
the same grade Of flour sold at s. or 81 per
barrel. For this reason a reduction of tho
wages Of the journeymen bakers will be
resisted by them, and they will be support
ed by local organized labor.
1T is understood the journey eymens or
ganizaticn and the Bakers Exchange viii
|. soon consider the matter of the reduction
of the price of bread. and the extent to
which it will affect the present labor con-
ditions in the bakeries