Evening star., 1898-09-02
Formation of Central Body Members
of Local Crafts.
MAIN OBJECTS OF THE ORGANIZATION
Plans Perfected for the Observance
Of Labor Day.
THE OFFICIAL PRO4RAM

Central Labor Union and Building Trades
Council, which follows, is now for the first
time given to the public.
Previous to 1896 there were no trades
union central body in the District of Co
lumbia. This condition was not favorable
to trade unionism, and to bring about
better state of affairs between employers
and employees, a preliminary meeting was
held at Typographical Temple February .,
1897, at which it was decided to ISSUE a
call to all union organizations to send
three delegates to a meeting to be held
March %, following. Pursuant to the call
the following organizations were repre-
sentad: Amalgamated Society of Carpen-
tiers, Granite Cutters Branch, Brotherhood
of Electrical Workers, Bricklayers Union
No. l, Bakers and Confectioners' Union,
Stereotypers Union, Columbia Musicians
Association, Cigar Makers Union, Brother
hood of Carpenters, Typographical Union,
Steam and Hot Water Filters Association
and Engineers Union. Milford Spohn was
chosen chairman of the meeting. A reso-
luton was unanimously adopted, to the Ell
feet That the meeting proceed to form
permanent organization and pledge the
members to further the in ntereStS of said or
ganiZa ton
The following permanent officers were
then elected: President, Milford Spohn, of
Bricklayers' Union; vice president, William
Silver, Granite Cutters Branch; secretary.
F c. Roberts, Typographical Union; treas
urer, j. d. Mckay, Amalgamated Carpen-
ters.
Objects of the Organization.
The objects of the Central Labor Union
are declared to be to unite the various
bona fide labor organizations of the city
and vicinity and assist in the formation
where nona exist, 50 that a brotherhood
may be formed for the defense of the rights
and the protection of the interests of the
labor masses. To use its utmost endeavors
to impress upon the various branches OF
labor the necessity of maintaining a more
perfect organization of their trade, craft
and calling; to use all honorable means in
our power to arbitrate difficulties that may
arise between workers and their employees,
and while the federation has no desire to
dictate to individual bodies as to matter Of
hours and compensation, We pledge our
selves to assist them in any Just demand
they may make, financially, to the best of
our ability.
Milford Spohn retired from the presidency
in January of the current year, and Nor
man c. Sprague of the Printing Pressmens
Union was chosen to succeed him. AT the
expiration of the term in July last H. Il.
SZegedy of the Plate Printers Union was
elected president, which position he now
holds. The following are the additional Of
ficers: NJ. ]. MCCarth, vice president; j. l..
Penney, secretary; James S. OHagen, as
sistant secretary; j. d. Mackay, treasurer;
o. p. Cox, sergeant-at-arms; fraternal del
egate TO Building Trades Council, NJ. +.
Canty.
Allied with the Central Labor Union and
the Building Trades Council are the follow
ing organizations: Amalgamated Society of
Carpenters and Joiners. No. 100; Cigar
Makers Union. No. no; Brotherhood of
Bookbinders, No. -; Columbia Typograph-
ical Union. No. 101; Brotherhood of EIec-
trical Workers, No. 2G; Feeders and Assist
ants Union, No. 1; Granite Cutters branch;
Hodcarriers Union. No. 1; Horseshoers'
Local Union Mosaic and Encaustic Tile
Layers Union, National Union Steam En-
gineers, Local Union. No. Ia National ALI
ance Of Theatrical Stage Employees, Oper-
ative Plasterers, Printing Pressmen's Union,
Plate Printers Union. No. 2; Plumbers and
Gas-ftters' Association, Steam and Hot
Water Filters, No. 10; Stereotypers Union
Stone Cutters Association, Stone Masons
Union. No. =; Tin, Copper and Sheet Iron
Workers Union.
The Building Trades Council.
The Building Trades Council of Washing
ton, D. c., was organized September Is,
1894. For some time previous to the or
ganization of the body the observant mem
bers of the building craft were convinced
of the necessity for combination of the
local building trades for the objects, as
stated in the constitution of the council to
so ceEtralize the united efforts and exper-
lence in building line that they may
form one compact body, with common in
tereStS. to prevent that which may be in
furious and properly perfect and carry into
effect that which they deem advantageous
to themselves and for the common good of
all.
E. L. Lomax of the Brotherhood of Car
penters, No. 100, was elected the first presi-
dent, and presided for two terms He was
succeeded by George Suter of Carpenters
Unlon No L. who, after serving one term,
was succeeded by p. J. O'Brien of the same
orSan'ation, who, after one term relin-
quished the gavel to Dennis Ferry of Brick
layers Union. who, after presiding four
m months; left the city, and William Silver
OF the Granite Cutters branch was elected
10 NIL the unexpired term, after which he
was reelected for five consecutive terms
In January, 1898, Richard Lanis of the
Steamntters Association was elected Mr.
Siiver,s successor. He presided until June
i, 1888. when he resigned, having entered
the United States navy, when Mr.. Silver
was chosen to fill the unexpired term
Recognizing the benefits of national affIl-
latlon, the council, in response to a call
from the Building Trades Council of ST
LOUIS Tor the formation of national coun-
ell sent Mr John p. Healey as delegate
city December 20. 1897. At this convention
a National Building Trades Council was in
sututti and the local council became affil-
lalSd herewith on Januray %, 1898.
Inc council was never recognized as a
body by District Assembly
66 and the local Federation of Labor. and
in the latter part of 1896 as the result of
those bodies refusing to recognize the jur-
lSdiction of the council in the matter of a
boycott which had been imposed on the
local branches, a number of organizations
Withdrew. The council, however, was MAIN
tained, and by wise conservative methods
secured the respect and favor of those of
the building industries.
Within the present year the organizations
of the timers, tile-layers. soft-stone cut
ters. plasterers and Carpenters Union No.
have been admitted, and. with the exception
of one organization, every building trade of
the city is represented in the council
The officers of the council are as follows:
William Silver. president II. L. Streb
vice president: ]. P. Healey, pro tenn re-
cording secretary; ]. Carmody financial
secretary; Andrew Murray, treasurer: O.
p. Cox, sergeant-at-arms: William Marsh,
fraternal delegate to Central Labor Union.
Schedule of Dances.
AS already mentioned IN The Star, the
c L. I. and B. T. c. have arranged for an
excursion to River View, to take place La
hor day, Monday Eext. Programs for dane
ing and other amusements have been ar
renged for, and. as finally adopted are:
/. TTo-step, Labor DGy..........Arth Jr
. Waltz Danube .Ivanovici
3. Schottische, Coal Black Lady Beyer
+ Lancers, Inter natioT al .Tobani
TptarmiSSjop