Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-11
BUILDING TRADES COUNCIL.
Review by Committee of Differences
Between Labor Bodies.

review by Committee OF Dtnerences
Between Labor Bodies.
There was full attendance of delegates at
the meeting last evening of the Building
Trades Council. President E. j. Ratigan
presided and Mr. Milford Spohn secre-
tary The committee appointed to report
upon the status of affairs as applied to the
building trades of the city made its report,
which was adopted by the council. The re-
port a review of the conditions of the
building trades since the organization of
the council in 1894, and states that the
council organized for the purpose Ito
so centralze the united efforts and expert
ence in the building line that they n.ly
form one compact body, with common in
terests, to prevent that which may be lnjuri-
Gus, and properly perfect and carry into
effect that which they deem advantageous
to themselves and for the common good of
ALL"
With this object in view it was stated the
trades union organizations and the assem-
bheS of the knights of Labor, formed the
council, and it was hoped by the trades
unonists that the two elements would
work together tremendously for the good of
al. 1t was, however. soon demonstrated,
the report cont nues. that a democracy OF
labor as eXempiiied by the trades unions,
and an autocracy of labor, maintained
by the assemblies, could not ceaesce and
work harmon.ousIy. the membership of
the assemblies were pledged Ito maintain
and support their order above all other
labor organizations and were not disposed
to consent to the methods agree to the
conclusions of the trade union element The
result of these differences was a breach in
1896 because in matter of general inter-
est to the building traces the trade unions
represented in the council differed with the
DINERS upon a method to adjust the matter
al issue.
1t then, the report went on to say
that the assemblies withdrew from the
council, with the avowed purpose of de-
siroying the body. Notwithstanding this
detection, eight union organizations stood
Loyalty by the council when the others at
tempted to destroy it.
After a period these assemblies, upon
their application, We're readmltted to the
council. in the hope that having learned
from the past they would work in harmony
in the future, but this was impossible. for
from the hour they became allied with the
council they have been dis, urbing ere
mcnt. This condition continued until sew
eral months ago, when, in violation of a
law of the council, attempt was made
to admit an organization which with
out charter. The scheme failed, and those
now composing the so-ca.led council moved
and voted for the adjournment of the coun-
ell without day.
The following week six of these organi-
cations met, as prearranged, and deposed
the president and secretary in the r absence
and by simple motion abrogated the con-
sttutlon to suit their purp Jses. Ten trades
union organizations, at the call of the pres
ldent, met al Typographical Temple under
the old officers and constitution and re-
solved to maintain the council.
The following officers for the B. T. c. for
the ensuing six months We're Oh 5sen: Pre- j.
dent. E. J. Ratigan: vice president C. II.
Mays; recording and corresponding secre-
tary, Milford Spohn; financial secretary,
Chas. MCGOWAN; treasurer, f. l.. Lomax;
sergeant arms, Thomas Jackson; fra
ternal delegate to the c. l.. L.. John A.
Brett: delegates from the Steam Filters,
Helpers and Bridge and Structural Iron
Workers We're admitted and Obligated.