Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-12
THE LABOR MOVEMENT.
Present Status Briefly Discussed
bya Norfolk Leader.
He Thinks +" Roduotion of tho Hours
OF Labor is tho Pnnnccn needed ror
Present Iiis-Locnl Organizations.

The labor movement looks more
promising than ever, according to those
engaged In 1t. The advocates OF labor
are more respected than ever The eff
forts of the leaders, who have met with
many bitter disappointment and made
sacrifices. are beginning to bear fruit.
The business man at last realizes that
TO bring prosperity to this country he
must recognize the laboring classes,
who are the majority of consumers.
And then, says a Norfolk leader, op-
portunity must be given them to pur-
chase food and clothing and shelter for
their families.
Continuing on this line he said that
Notwithstanding the fact of the intro
duction OF improved machinery there is
no orer-production, but an under-con-
sumption; that as he looked out upon
the street and saw the idlers, some Of
them homeless, he realized that uni
Versal reduction of hours of labor
would place these idlers in n position
10 work to consume. Then there will
De more customers for the merchants,
more tenants for the landlords, more
lactories VIII start up, and the sound
or the saw and plane will be heard
wnere now they are not heard; the
country Will become prosperous, every
BODY VIII be benefited, and those who
now look upon labor as n curse will
then look upon it as Gods blessing.
$50
AT regular meeting of the Brother
nooa OF Boiler Makers and Iron Ship
builders. Lodge No. 81. Portsmouth,
held Thursday night, an address was
delivered by l.. V. Curtis on Labor In
general and the Cigar Industry in par
ticular. He spoke in support Of the
blue label, and was listened TO with
marked attention. All seemed deeply
interested In the speakers views. The
following resolutions were adopted
unanimously:
Resolved, That we, as members of or
ganized labor, will patronize only SYM
pathizers of the labor movements and
Will not patronize any merchant that
does not handle union made cigars All
merchandise must be union made 10
secure the trade of organized labor OF
this city.
Resolved That these resolutions be
spread upon our minutes and n copy be
sent to each of our daily papers for
publication.
The Boiler Makers and Iron Ship
Builders of America have issued an adj
dress explanatory of ''The Cause of
Trades Unions,' from which the fol-
lowing Is taken:
The trade union movement was in
augurated not only as protest against
the wrongs inflicted upon the wage
workers and against conditions that
oppressed the masses and promote
their rights, but the founding of trades
unions, the enactment OF laws and the
establishment OF order all have the
same object In view: that OF protecting
the great mass OF the people from In
jury and loss at the hands Of the selfish,
vicious and lawless members Of society.
Trade unionism and law and order arc
synonymous terms, because all are
alike-inimical to injustice and oppres-
sion.
At the last meeting OF the Cigar
Makers Union. No. 240, the following
were elected delegates to the Central
Labor Union of Southeastern Virginia:
L. v. Curtis. E. B. Jones, w. H.
Murphy, G. Bear and Mel. Cake. on
GERS who will be elected the first Mon
day of the new year were also noml-
mated. The Cigar Makers Union has
decided to rent the Central Labor Hall,
and will hold their first meeting there
January l, 1000.
AT the last meeting of the Journey
men Plumbers the officers of that union
were nominated, to be elected at their
next meeting.
The timers held a well-attended
meeting last Tuesday night and trans
acted routine business. This union Is
in a prosperous condition.
$50
The National Alliance of Stage EN-
ployes will hold their regular weekly
meeting Saturday night at NJ. T.. Kay
toms, corner Butte and Cumberland
streets. at o'clock. a full attendance
is desired. The application for a char
ter has been forwarded. and the boys
are only waiting it's receipt to go ahead
with their work.
The stonecutters' Union held we'll
attended meeting at Engle's Hall. Main
street. Saturday night. and was ad-
dressed by l.. V. Curtis. president G. l..
u, on the Capitalization OF Trades
Unions" Mr.. Curtis urged amliation
with the Central Labor Union OF all
unions as a help to growth and
strength. He was lisetned to atten-
lively and literally applauded.
The following officers were elected:
Mr. Nicholas Marnell. president; John
Kayton. vice-president: John j. Dunn,
treasurer: Jesse l.. Machen. secretary,
and Edward w. Ivor, tyler.
$50
The brotherhood of Electric Wire
Workers held a largely Unattended meets,
ing at Central Labor Hall Friday night
and transacted routine business.
So
Robert r. Lee Division No 205 Order
of Railway Conductors, have elected the
following officers for the year 1900:
George B. Decton. c. c.: p. B. Luke.
A. C. c.; F. b. Lewis. S. & t.; NJ. II.
Lister, S. c.. w. Whitehurst, j. c.; w
J. Luke. I. S.: J.. II Pruden, o. s.; w.
Whitehurst. correspondent OF journal;
G. Is. Decton. l.. Ellison, ]. w. Baylor.
division committee