The times., 1899-11-08
DISCUSS WORKING CARDS
Building Trades Council May Not
Adept Universal System.
4 Lengthy Discussion Over the Cues
tion Held Last Night by Labor
Lenders-No Definite Action TaISen
by Any of the Local Kodie~ - Its
Establishment May Cause Trouble.

The question of the adoption of a uni
versal working card was last night sgain
the subject OF discussion at the meeting
of the Building Trades Council Some time
ago the proposition to adopt such a work
ing card was made through the secretary
of the National Building Trades Council.
and although the matter has been under
serious consideration no definite action
has been taken by the local body The
adoption of a universal working card by
the different unions affiliated with the
council means that the members of these
bodies could not engage in work upon any
building where any of the employees did
not carry 4 similar card.
1t is the opinion of some of the most
conservative trades unionists in the city
who have given the proposition serious
consideration that the adoption of a uni
Yersal working card by the building trades
at this time would be i'll advised They
do not believe that the labor movement
in Washington is ripe for such action at
present. In the event of the adoption of
such a plan, in case it became necessary
for organized labor to attempt to enforce
its claims a sympathetic strike among all
the building trades would result. Under
the present conditions it is believed that
any effort to force a sympathetic strike
would be disastrous 10 the present har-
monious conditions which prevail among
all the uniens composing the council.
AS it stands. there are several unions
which have been but recently organized,
and whose membership is quite limited
Under the universal working card system
should one of these small unions get into
such trouble as would necessitate a strike
upon their part, it would naturally follow
that the members of every trade affiliated
with the council would of necessity be
compelled to go out on sympathetic
strike" The existence of such condi-
tion of affairs the trades unionist leaders
in the District believe would be very un-
fortunate and could result in nothing for
the betterment of organized labor in this
city.
There are other reasons however, which
may be said TO infuance the action of the
trades unionists on this question at the
present time. As is known, the members Of
organized labor in the city are divided into
two factions one of which is affiliated with
the Knights of Labor, the other being COM
posed of trades unionists. The former,
however, are at war among themselves and
have carried their troubles into the courts
for settlement In the event Of the local
Knights Of Labor being cut off by the order
of the court from the national body. it will
leave them as an independent labor organi-
zation in this city, affiliated with neither
of the two great national labor bodies. IL
is doubtful, however, even in this event
If the local Knights Of Labor would af-
filiate with the local trades unionists for
ha hot a.,
at outs with each other Only in one in
stance has there been any harmony exist
ing between the local Knights OF Labor
and the trades unionists This has been
among the members of the carpenters
| trade, of which there are four organiza-
tions in the city. Representatives of these
have organized what is known as the car
penters' executive board, and it is believed
since their affliation have worked in har-
mony and TO the interest and betterment
Of the conditions of the members of the
craft. A universal working card among
these four organizations would be a sue
! cess, it IS said, because of the individual
strength of each organization. In other
words, it is the opinion OF local leaders
who have given the subject of the adoption
Of universal working card thoughtful
consideration that. until there is somewhat
of an equality numerically between the diff
| ferent organizations, the adoption of such
a system would not be beneficial
However the plan has not been totally
| abandoned, but is is expected that final
| action viii be taken on the matter at the
| first meeting OF the council in December
In the mean time the question has been re-
| ferred to the different unions affiliated with
! the council with a request that they report
| through their delegates as soon as pos
| sible.
/ A communication was received from the
! lathers and plasterers complaining that
| some plasterers are laying plaster upon
! laths which have been put up by nom
union workmen. The matter was referred
! to the Piasterers' Union to report at the
! next meeting of the council.