Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-05-15

Ain DnANOo OF w Ed EoN
MEAT - ROUTINE MATTERS
CONSIDERED AT THE MEETING
YESTERDAY.
The Ohio Valley Trades and Labor
Assembly convened in regular semi
monthly session yesterday, President
NJ F. Tighe welding the gavel and
Secretary Salisbury discharging his
customary duties.
Although there was no business Of
a sensational character taken up there
were several matters of importance
touched upon precipitating earnest dis
cussion. There was full attendance
of delegates.
The feature of the meeting was the
consideration of the report of the
legislative committee, which dealt
mainly with the recently enacted eight
hour law and the franchise lately
granted the Consumers Electric Light
Company, of this city. The former was
brought to the attention of the Assem-
bly, by letter from Governor Akin
son, desiring an Interpretation of a
certain section which prohibits man
from working more than eight hours a
day upon public improvements, even
when extra compensation is awarded.
10 c0n of ho Accn n ly DC
that such passage is to be construed
literally, the object being to furnish
labor to more men.
The action of the body with reference
to the franchise ordinance contemplates
an investigation as to the feasibility of
having that measure revoked. The
street car strike was only preached
incidentally during the proceedings.
The session begun with the presenta-
ton of credentials of Joseph R. Davis,
Albert Grouse and John M. Carpenter,
of Coke Workers Local No. 1924, Of
Benwood. The first two named were
present and were obligated.
Delegate Herman Rhoder, of the
Butchers Union, presented a grievance
and the arbitration committee was in
structed to take the matter in hand
and use persuasion with the two nom
union employees connected with estab-
lishments in this city.
1t was stated that a recent decision
of the department forbids the inscrip-
@ Mo- OF,
not specifically employed in the trans
portation of mail, and it was recon-
mended that local No. 1913 of street car
employees appoint committee of three
to see that the order is not violated.
Opinions were freely exchanged upon
the subject of the electric light
franchise, and a change of opinion
was reported among some councilmen
voting for it. 1t was the unanimous
opinion that the practicaIbility of re-
peal should be looked into
and it was first thought to
appoint committee or three
to meet a like committee from
the Chamber of Commerce and from
Council, but this plan was reconsidered
and the ways and means for conduct
ing the movement was left entirely
with the legislative committee.
Labor Commissioner /. V. Barton
was present and said that copies of the
lew forbidding the employment Of
youth under twelve years of age, had
been mailed to all employers Of child
labor throughout the State, and that
the work Of enforcing its provisions
will be one of his earliest duties. He
will go to Charleston Tuesday, where
he will confer with the Executive and
his advisers upon the eight-hour law,
which goes into effect soon.
The views of Governor Atkinson up
on this measure are given over his
own signature, as follows:
State of West Virginia,
Executive Chamber
CHARLESTON, April 20. 1899
Dear Mr.. Salisbury:
In regard TO the Eight Hour Law, 1
can only say that / heartily favored its
passage by the Legislature, and approved
1t promptly, when it was handed to me-
A question arose as to the constitutional
ty of that feature of the bill Wnere Il
says that no representative Of the State
having charge OF labor shah allow an EN-
pioye to work more than hours N a
calendar day, if the laborer should desire
to work longer. and be PAD extra com
pensation therefor, as is the custom on
L s. government works In other words,
can tile State prevent a man from work
ing over hours if he desires to do so,
provided he is paid for the extra time.
Some persons hold the opinion that such
a requirement would be unconstitutional
because it restricts the rights and hber-
ties of the working classes. think II
would be we'll for you to bring this ques-
ton before the Trades Assembly, and pro-
cure their views upon 1t.
The law says hours shall be day 5
work and no agent of the State can re-
quire more than hours work. This IS
absolutely right, ard l have advocated 1t
for years. as the most of you know. But
this law says no agent of the State SHAH
permit any one 10 work longer than S
hours. even if he wants to. and is paid for
his extra time This is the point ! want
an expression of the Assembly upon.
This Eaw does not Apply TO the different
State institutions 1t only apples TO
Public Works.. and 1t is pretty difficult
to determine exactly the scope of the
meaning of sac term Public Works"
nave xamned Webster deiinit on of
that term. but have not had time to look
up the exact meaning of the term in law.
the country thereon. ! will. howea y.
careful hunt it up very shorty. 1t is IN
portant that this question be determined
soon for the reason that the State Will
soon begin the erection of a large public
building here, and before it is begun. we
must decide whether a public building for
the State comes under the head of Public
Works" as contemplated by this S-hour
statute. | also ask that you bring this
matter before the Assembly for an opinion
thereon.