New-York tribune., 1899-12-18
LABOR UNIONS AT ODDS
DrsAGREEMENTS BROUGHT Up AT THE
CENTRAL FEDERATED UNION
MEETING

Much OF tho time OF the Central Federated
Unions meeting In the University Settlement Hall
yesterday taken up in listening to tho COM
plants OF union against another. Delegate
McVey of the Varnshers' Union complained that
the Amalgamated Society OF Painters and Deco
rators had again declared war against his organi-
zaton and trying its best to crush 1t out OF
existence. The charge of the delegate was upheld
by OF the other delegates present but II also
raised n storm of indignant protest from the rep
rcsentatives OF the accused society and their
friends.
Delegate McVey declared that the painters were
ordering strikes wherever the varnishers we're
found at work. insisting that the latter were In
fringing on their rights. Some time ago, II was
said, the Paper Hangers Union was one OF the
most fourishng organizations in the city, ana It's
members made such high wages that the painters
union became jealous and demanded share OF
the work. 1t fought the paper hangers so herceiy
that the latter's union was finally broken up. ana
they ceased to make big wages. The varnish-
ers, especially the hardwood varnishers, are now
making higher wages than the painters. 1t In
said and that is alleged TO be why the painters
are fighting them. The painters, II IL said declars
that vanishing is part OF, their trade and insist
that the varnishers join their soceity. Ths the
varnshers refuse to do. committee was ep-
pointed to investigate the complaint OF the var
The president of the Decorative Plasterers' Union
admission Of II the IA Artificial Marble workers Union
TO membership In the Central Federated Union. he
terers, and consequently there was no reason tor
the trade to be divided into branches A COM
mttee appointed TO investigate the advisaDihty
of admitting the new organization to membership
Delegate Cowen, of the Amalgamated Engineers
Union, charged that eighty men recently Drougnt 70
this country by the steamboat St Louis were ieuh-
sian machinists Disguised sailors and that tney
sent TO the Cramps shipyards In Philadelphia,
take the places OF the machinsts on strike there
Delegate Jacobs, OF the Cigar Packers Union, de-
clared that the Cigarette Makers Union was giving
its label to firms ostensiby manufacturing cigar
cites but the labels were really being put on
boxes OF small ,gars. Many people purchased
these cigars thinking that the label was really the
union label OF the cigarmakers. The cigarette
makers get much less than the union wages or the
cigarmakers. T..ey were warned by the meeting TO
stop making the small cigars.
Delegate Jacobs complained that the little girls
employed In the department and drygoods stores
were being overworked that they went TO work
early in the morning and compelled to work
until 10 o'clock at night at this Of the year
Delegate De Greet moved that an attempt be made
to organize all the employees OF the places COM
planned OF. .
Delegate Robinson said he did not think the
movement would meet with success. as young men
who wore high standing collars and girls with
feathers in their hats thought themselves aoovs
organized labor.
Despite the cold water argument OF the last
named delegate a committee was appointed to con-
slider the feasibility OF attempting to organize
union OF little cash girls and the other employees or
the big stores.