Evening star., 1898-11-15

the work, stated thar the contract for the
construction OF this line had been let TO
Mr.. Robinson of New York, who Sublet
it to Matthew Myers, q contractor Of this
city They further stated that the wages
paid by the subcontractor. while they were
employed by him. was 81 per day of nin,4
hours and board in canp. Becoming dis
satisfied with the conditions, they said, they
decided to stop work. which they did, and
asked for the wages due them. They Were
Informed by Mr. Myers that they should
have worked ten hours per day, and he
rendered them 81 for thirty-five hours
work. which they refused to accept. They
likewise stated that no plea of emergency
could possibly be made for working the
men overtime, as the new line is being con-
Structed parallel with the other line which
Is now being used and will be continued in
service until the new line is completed.
Proposed Conference.
special committee was appointed to
bring the matter 70 the attention of Secre-
tary Long and request that there be no
further violation of the eight-hour law in
the construction of this line. The commit
tee was also instructed to ascertain the
facts in the case. and if the law has been
violated. reported, to have the guilty
parties prosecuted.
A communication was read from a labor or
ganization in West Superior, Wis, request
ing that the product of d company in that
town be not patroniZed by the members of
trades unions in this city, as the firm had
been declared unfair by the American Fed
Grafton of Labor. The delegate from the
bakers and confeetioners' stated that this
matter was brought to the attention of his
organization several weeks ago, and that,
after diligent inquiry, they ascertained that
the product of the firm referred to was not
sold anywhere in Washington.
Inc secretary was directed to communl-
cate with the company and request that it
accede to the demands of their former en-
ployes.
Labor Legislation.
Several vacancies on the Legislative COM
mittee We're filled by appointment Of the
chair as it was stated that number of
very important labor measures will be sub
mitted to the District committee at the
coming session of Congress-. Among these
measures Will be: An employees liability
act" an act which will provide that in all
District contracts the clause shall be in
serted that none but union WOrkmen snail
be employcd; an act giving mechanics ana
IaborerS precedence, and providing Tor sum-
mary process for collection of wages due
on building construction in the District;
Dill to provide that the rate of wages paid
employees on work done for the District
government not under contract shall be the
maximum rate paid by private firms for
similar work. anzact 5naking 1t a misde-
meahor Tor any epployer OF labor in the
District of Columbia TO discharge or threat
en- to discharge aneeemploye who shall join,
or contemplates j6fninEs a labor organiza-
ton, or who shall require any promise
from an applicant{ forss Service that he or
she will not join 4raabor organization as
condition of empias mefft; also for an in
crease in the numiser of-buiding inspectors,
and that bricklay sss shall be appointed in
-spectors of brick a&nstTAction.
IL was stateu nat NJ I. V. Powderly,
commissioner general III immigration and
former grand master workman of the
knights of Labor, mas al non-union plumber
at work on houseShe has leased on Cleve-
land Heights. IN u.
A communication wasi read from the ex-
ecutive committee Of" the International
BookbindeTs asking thatna comm ttee be ap-
pointed to accompany Mfr. Frank Morrison,
secretary of the american Federation of
Laborto call upon7the army board and pro-
test against giving a contract for blanks
commissary department to a certain New
York company. The communication was
indorsed, and Delegates Mccormick and
feeney named as such committee.