Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-01
UNIONS AND BUREAU.
THE TRADES COUNCIL DISCUSSES
RELATIONS OF THE TWO.
STATUS OF THE COMMISSIONER.
Doubt Felt as to Whether lie is Iden-
tilted with Organized Labor by
Actual Membersbip-Lnw Defective
and Appropriation Small.

The Central Trades and Labor Council
devoted a large portion of its session last
night to discussion Of the Bureau Of
Labor and Industrial Statistics established
by the last Legislature.
The meeting was. Of course, behind
closed doors. as is customary. There was
great reticence on the part Of the mem
bers regarding the nature Of the discus
|. sion 1t was stated that no definite steps
were taken, but that this will be done at
the meeting next Tuesday night.
SCOPE OF THE DISCUSSION.
1t is understood that the discussion had
especial reference TO the attitude Of Com
missioner Montague towards organized
labor. TO the very small appropriation
made to carry on the work of the bureau.
and also to several features Of the law
which are not entirely satisfactory.
The appropriation for the support OF the
bureau is only 5000 yearly. The salary
Of Commissioner Montague is $500 year.
This leaves only 81 200 10 defray the cost
of collecting information and printing the
Commissioner report, sum pronounced
grossly inadequate. One member OF the
council was rather more outspoken than
the rest.
SAYS IT'S A JOLLY.
politicians wanted to Jolly the labor
ing men" said a member or the council
after the meeting. land gave us the Du-
reau But Of what use Is 1t? do not be-
ieve il will ever amount 70 anything.
On far az we are concerned. / do not like
the Commissioner being appointed by
tho Governor. Why not have him elected
nv, the Legislature? l DO not like even
the suspicion Of his being dominated by
any one man.. -. -
The labor unions Of the state want a
labor bureau. This was stated with en-
ubasis al the meeting last night. But not
an tho unions are I'm sympathy with the
Commissioner.
Is He A UNION MAN?
II was stated that it is not fully settled
that Mr.. Montague is union man. Ohtll
tie is done IT is said, the unqualified sup
nort Of organized labor will not be gwen
him. This will be settled at the next
meeting of the council 1t Is known MT
Montague was formerly member OF
union and he may still be- ...
The council insists that II Is necessary
that the commissioner be union man
I'm order that the objects OF the pui Cd u
s,,r, and substance Of the whole conten-
ton. l. oooari,,
Meanwhile. the council Is eagerly
awaiting the appearance Of Mr. Monta-
mes report. Everybody Is anxious 10
Zee whether the information 1t has peem i
nosstble 10 collect with such a snlall
prnount q Is at the disposal OF the bureau
Is mr. Of as great value to labor as was eX-
pected. -,,.,rr0
NEW OFFICERS INSTALLED
rhe meeting of the council last night
u.al resided over by the new president
Ntr n p. Murphy. All the reGehtly-
elected ye o','' They were as follows; Presi-
5 sum. NJ p. Murphy; Vice-President' ~ H.
PEN pollard Recording s sSSFe5ary j. John
,ford. Financial SecretaiS, ''''
me L,,'d' Treasurer. James onion. &. =
N ,1r Murphy. the new president, Is nd a
nri Of the Ir)n-Moulders unlon ,.e umr
mt LniS IN bish es eem by those VINO KNOW ,%
him HIM ,ri Hi we workers in the ranks of or
ganized labor.