The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-28


After a brief but stormy session, during
which the lie passed between several Of
the most prominent members, the Build
ing Trades Council last night disbanded.
While the uproar was at its height mo-
ton to adjourn sine die was put and
carried unanimously. 1t is believed by
several of those who have taken an active
part in the deliberations of the body since
its organization that new union will be
formed.
To many Of those familiar with the con-
ditions which have existed in the council
for over a year the dissolution last night
was not a surprise. During the meetings
of the last six months feeling has run
high and members have spoken of each
other upon the floor in very uncompliment-
airy terms. Last summer. as the result OF
a debate. seventeen delegates, represent
ing five organizations. left the hall. This
was only week or Two before the semi
annual election. At the following elec-
tion for officers, on account of the affilla-
ton of Une or two unions those who were
formerly in the minority mustered force
sufficient to capture all the offices fro;:i
president TO doorkeeper At the last cleo
tion, however the Tins were. with few
exceptions. ousted During the six months
previous, however. bad feeling was being
engendered, and the result of the last cleo
tion did not help matters.
The immediate cause of the trouble last
night, which led to the disruption of the
council, was the presen alton of delegates
from the paper hangers organization for
admission into the body It is also stated
that the treasury of the council is depict
ed AM that a recent order sent out by
the National Building Trades Council. re-
quiring the local body to purchase uni
versal working cards which were to be
substituted for the cards of theh different
trades affiliated with the council, had much
to do with the disintegration of the organ
ization.
1t was stated by a prominent member
of the council after the meeting last night,
that for many weeks past the sessions
have been presided over by Vice President
John Fitzgerald, because of the absence
from the city OF the President, j. f. Rati-
gan. II my be here stated that the
President and Vice President belong to
opposing factions in the body. About two
WEEKS dRO hpplltdtiOU WIS Ildut W lut
organization of paperhaugers for member
ship in the council and a special commit
tee was appointed TO investigate the status
Of the applicants in organized labor in the
the District. The committee to which this
duty was delegated reported favorably on
the admission of the paperhangers at the
meeting of the council held on last Tues
day night, but the delegates from the
PapeThsngers did not present themselves
for admission until last night.
In the mean time. certain members e.
the council who we've opposed TO the afii-
liation of the paperhangers' organiza-
ton with the council. because of the al
legged connection of the former with the
local Knights Of Labor determined to OPP
pose their adE ittance to membership
With this in view President Ratigan, who
was at Indian Head. was informed of the
situation, and was asked to be present at
the meeting last night. He was there.
After the routine business had been trans
acted the delegat IS from the Paper Hang
ers' presented themselves to be obligated.
At this stage Of the proceedings a mem
Der of the council asked permission to
question the delegates before they were
allowed 10 qualify. This interruption. 1t
is said started .he trouble, and the two
factions in the council were soon arrayed
against each q he.. The member referred
to stated that his object in questioning
the delegates for admission was TO dis
close whether or nos they were affiliated
with the local Knights of Labor. If this
had been proven to be the case, il is
claimed that, under the constitution of
the council. the delegates would not be
eligible, because, il is said, the rules pro-
hibit the utilization of members connected
with the Knights of Labor.
The applicants for admission were adj
vised By their friends, il is said not to
answer any questions which might be pro-
pounded to them. President Ratigan then
ordered them to take their seats, which
they did. At this juncture a very heated
cross fire was begun by the leaders of the
opposing factions. who hurled volleys of
epithets at each other. The leaders were
encouraged by their friends and the fight
waxed warmer. At this stage member
moved to adjourn sine die. This seemed
TO be the desire OF both factions. and
when the motion was put by the presiding
officer it was carried unanimously. With
out further ado the lights were put out.
the members left the hall and the Build
ing Trades Council is no more
The council was organized on the 18th
of September. 1894. At that time ii was
composed OF nine building trades unions.
On the rolls last night, when the final ad-
iOurnment was taken. there were nineteen
affiliated unions II was stated that while
the treasury of the council proper is de-
pleted ii has still to its credit in the La
Dor Day excursion fund $500. This money.
it is said is deposited in the name of the
Treasurer Of the Labor Day Excursion
Committee in a local bank. Besides this
money. there is also a considerable amount
on deposit to the credit OF the council
which was collected through its agents for
fund was raised, il will be remembered
for the purpose of defraying the expense
of defence of the members Of the Knights
OF Labor who are nnder Indictment for