Evening star., 1898-02-08
THE CENTRAL LABOR UNION
Action Taken on Eight-Hour Law and the
Contract System.
Measure Submitted for the Consid-
Grafton of the COmmissiOners-The
Routine Business Transacted.

Sprague occupied the chair and Mr. j. j..
Crowley was secretary.
A communication which had been re-
ceived from Senator Chandler was read.
The communication accompanied a series
of resolutions adopted by various labor or
ganizations and other bodies in opposi-
ton to the so-called "ant-scalpers' bills, ~
which at the request of Mr.. Chandler
were referred to the committee on inter
state commerce. The resolutions referred
to included those adopted by the American
Federation of Labor. Columbia Topographic
cal Union, house of representatives of
Michigan. senate of New Jersey, Typo
graphical Union No. 6 of New York Cali
fornia assembly, Utah legislature and Ma
ticnal Building Trades Council. The COM
munication was placed on file and the
secretary was directed to notify Secretary
Chandler of its receipt.
A communication was also read from
the Immigration Restriction League of
Boston. denying statements which have
been made by the immigration Protective
League regarding the purpose and opera
ton of the Lodge bill. now pending in the
House of Representatives.
Amending EfGht-Hour LAW.
The union indorsed a communication from
the American Federation of Labor request
IEg all naticral, central ara local unions 10
petition their senators and representa- tives
in Congress to vote for IAN amendment
10 lhe eleht-hour law which shall extend
its Jurisdiction and operation to all work
Gene Dy or for the government also a law
to abolish the use of the writ of Injunction
In labor disputes; also the repeal of the
existing statutes under which seamen are
under perpetual injunction not to quit
work. and under which they n1aS be COM
PEELED to continue 10 labor for an indi-
N;dual or corporation against their WILL
though the vessel is in safe harbor; also
law TO prevent the transportation for
sale of prison-made goods from one state
or territory into any other state or terri
tory; also law to restrict undesirable i'm
migration
The communication was referred to the
legislative committee for such additional
action as it may see proper to take.
The secretary was directed to write to
the headquarters of a certain bicycle con-
Germ, whose products are sold in Washing
ten, and inform the firm that it is the in
tention of the Central Labor Union to do
ali IN the power of the members to prevent
the sale of its wheels here, for the reason
that committee of the Central Labor
Union. which was appointed to investigate
the matter. has learned that the girls
ployed by the firm are paid but % cents a
gay for their work, and that these girls
are employed at metal polishing, one of
the most unhealthy branches of work ever
eI gagged in; that few persons can stand it,
as it gives than grinders consumption
and very few live over fifteen years at the
trade"
Labor In the District.
bt-tSdlt CpOHH ItpOfltu l1dl ISSlSld-
tive committee. of which he is chairman,
had sent to the District Commissioners
copy of a bill which will be submitted to
Corgress in reference to the employment
Of labor in the District of Columbia, and
which was a follows:
BE it enacted by the Senate and House
OF Representatives of the United States of
America, il Congress assembled:
That on and after the passage of this
act 1t snail be unlawful to let by adver-
tisement or contract any municipal work
or Improvement in the District of Column
bia.
That all such work and improvement
shall be done and performed by direct
ployment by the proper municipal authori-
ties of the District of Columbia, under the
direction and control of the Commission
ers of said District of Columbia. and all
persons employed upon such work and i'm
proyements shall be paid. respectively, the
maximum wages and compensation that
shall be paid in said District of Columbia
to other persons for like and similar SER
vices: Provided. That this act shall not af-
feet. impair or modify any existing con-
tract or any provisions thereof.
Letter of Transmittnl.
The bill was accompanied by letter of
transrnittal, as follows:
ITO the Honorable Board of Commission
ers. District of Columbia:
THE undersigned, the legislative COM
mittee of the Central Labor Union, trans
nit for your consideration the inclosed
bill, entitled an Act to regulate the en-
ployment of labor in the District of Co
luInbia.
You will observe that the purpose of
this bill is to abolish the contract system
in SO far as 1t applies to municipal work
in the District of Columbia, and provides
that such work shall be performed by di-
rect employment by the proper municipal
authorities The measure has been ap-
proved by the Central Labor Union, and is
respectfully submitted for your approval.
The workmen allied with this body, par
ticulariy those of the building trades, be-
Heve that the measure proposed, if legalz-
ed by statute, would result in better
stTuction, at no more cost, than under the
contract system. They are therefore graft
fed that after full inquiry into the meth
DDS of the contract street sweeping service
you have recommended TO Congress such
legislation will provide that all such
work shall be done by day labor under your
direction, without contract.
In the transmittal to the House COM
mittee on appropriations of an amendment
which you desire 10 have Incorporated in
the District appropriation bill you urge. as
reasons for the proposed discontinuance of
contract work. that you have become con-
WINGED that the work be done by day
labor not only much cheaper. but also
much more satisfactorily to the people of
the District, and that not only will the dis
continuance of the contract system give
employment TO many more men than are
now employed, but it will also enable you
to pay men higher wages than they re-
CelNt now
You have also indorsed the statement of
Mr. Warner Stutler. superintendent of
street sweeping. who. after full inquiry
and careful observation, favors your prop
osition and submits statements to prove
that direct municipal control, without the
interference of the middleman or<contract-
or. would be much preferable to the pres
ent system.
Cost of street Sweeping.
I'm his report he says: L submit that
the cost will be less if the cleaning be done
exclusively by direction of the Commits
siOners than it is or has been by the other
Iaetfod. and experience and observation
prove that more satisfactory results may
be expected by municipal supervision di-
rect.
- 1t is also true, in addition to securing
better work. and making allowance for a
larger number of men at advance in
wages, that the District will save money
annually. Investigation proves that the
contractors profits may be employed to in
crease the force at higher wages and still
keep well within the estimated appropria-
tiOn.