The times., 1899-02-16
HOURS OF POLICEMEN
CALLED OUTRAGEOUS
Resolutions Adopted at a
Trades Union Meeting.
Severe Criticism offered Against
District Commissioner Wight.
Public Indignation Over His Oppose
sition TO the. Local Labor Bill
Now Pending in Congress.

Commissioner Wight came in for some
very severe criticism at the mass meeting
held last evening in McCauley's Hall by
the trades unionists of the District The
meeting was called for the purpose of dis
cussing the jenkins eight hour bill now
pending in Congress, the object of which
is to regulate the hours of work for the
members OF the Metropolitan Police force.
The first speaker introduced WAS Col. Nat
Ward Fitzgerald, who spoke earnestly in
support OF The proposed legislation looking
10 a reduction cf the hours of actual work
on the police force. In discussing the
matter he severely criticised Commissioner
Wight, except for whose opposition, he
said. the bill would nave been faYorably re-
ported TO the House Of Representatives by
the Committee on Appropriations to which
il had been referred. The excuse given
ny Mr.. Wight for his opposition to the bill
is that it viii require double the present
force of men.
Colonel Fitzgerald said that was not only
untrue. but an admission that the mem
bers OF the Metropolitan Police force ere
at present working double time, or nearly
sixteen hours day. While he did not
intend, he said TO cTiticise the Government
for its gift Of $4,000. 600 TO pay OFF the Gu
ban soldiers because of their destitute con-
dition, he argued that the Government
should be just TO its own citizens. especial
ly to those who guard and protect the
property and lives of its citizens. before it
is charitable to a foreign and alien peo-
PIE.
thirty thousand of the residents of the
District have petitioned Congress to act
favorabiy In the premises and pass the
cight-hour law. He also stated that Pres
ident Mckinley in his annual message to
Congress recommended that legislation
recognizing eight hours as legal days
work be enacted. A. fhe conclusion of his
address Colonel Fitzgerald offered the fol-
lowing resolution, which was unanimously
adopted
Resolved. That for the Government 10 demand
that IFS police shall serve sixteen hours in guard
ing IFS property and the lives Of its citizens for
legal day work, On the plea that it is too cx-
pensiVe to employ sufficient number of Inrn 10
DO the work in eight hours. while the Government
J. giving away 81, go in cash 10 psy of III,
Cuban army, Is burning shame To tfr Govern.
inrnt, and especially TO the District of Columbia
aad lie city of Washington, the capital Of 4 free
lust, and enlightened nation; and that for them
{" demand and receive such service makes them
The aiders and abettOrs of the worst form Of ia
man slavery; and be it
Resolved. That organized labor enter its I,rn-
test 2gains' this system of slavery and oppres-
sion for the police in the District of Columbia
Which Is nov being eniOrCed 10y the Commission
ers, compelling the members Of the force to
either give sixteen hours Of labor out Of each
twelty-fOur or quit the service as policemen; and
br Il further
Resolved. That organized labor throughout the
nitcd States, IN the name Of humanity and with
decent regard for the rights Of our fellow men
Who are compelled to cam their living los daily
toll, appeal 10 the Committee Appropriations
and 10 each member thereof, to whom this bin
has been referred to see TO il that aid bill br
reported 10 the House for action, speedily and
without delay. 10 the end that it shall become =
law Al the present session OF Congress: and he if
also
Resolved. That organized labor in The District
Of Columbia call tie attention of every organize
lion, trades union, Federation % Labor and
Knights of Labor in the United States and the
20 periodicals published in the interest Of labor
10 this specimen Of cruelty and oppression which
pleads Tor its only justification that Il, r,ass ia.
hill requiring only eight hours service instead Of
sixteen hsurs. which the policemen are now com
pcied 10 serve, would require double the present
number II men; and lastly be it
Resolved. That a copy Of these resolutions lie
furnished to each OF the city papers Tor puhli,s-