Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-10
CENTRAL LABOR UNION
PLEASING FEATURE OF ITS PRO-
CEEDINGS LAST EVENING.
Alleged Disregard of Regulations of
Navy ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS" y of
Joint Resolution No. 22G.

Central Labor Union last evening was the
presentation to Mr.. Samuel Gompers, presi-
dent of the American Federation of Labor,
OF an oil portrait of himself, the gift being
rendered by President H. w. Szegedy, on
behalf of the Central Labor Union. The
portrait was given, as stated by Mr.. Siege
dy, as token of the high esteem in which
Mr.. Gompers is held by organized labor of
this District. and the appreciation of his
services in the advancement Of the cause
of the wage workers Of the country.
Mr.. Gompers, in response, assured those
present that he would always highly prize
the gift. particularly because it was the
offering of "a body which fully represents
the intelligence, prestige and integrity OF the
organized workrnen of this District In
the course of his remarks Mr.. Gompers
humorously referred to the labor conditions
which prevailed in this city nve or SIX years
ago, when he was on visit in the interest
Of trade union organization. He said he
was promised a reception by multi
tude of unmatched chickens" He spoke
of the conditions of the present, ana COM
mended and congratulated the trades union
lists for the good work they have accom-
plished.
AT the conclusion Of Mr.. Gompers' re-
marks a recess was had, and the delegates
came forward and personally greeted MIN.
The portrait presented was the work OF
Mr.. Charles Hammerstrom, member OF
| COlumDla Lodge OF MdCUliiSi5, anu vas
generally pronounced to be an excellent
likeness.
On the resumption Of the order Of bust
ness the following statement was adopted:
at having been learned from reliable
sources that in the matter Of the employ
ment Of workmen at the naval proving
grounds. Indian Head Md, those in charge
have acted arbitrarily and in violation or
the regulations promulgated by the Navy
Department. This seems evident in the
wage scale paid those who are employed in
mechanical pursuits, painters being paad as
| low as $1.0 per day; plumbers and pipe
filters at rates from s1,16 to S3o2 per day,
and carpenters as low s1.56 per day;
These wages are much lower than is paio
| By reputable employers in this locality Tor
similar work, and tends to reduce the wages
! Of mechanics in this District. The lathing
| also was done by men rated as laborers, who
| were paid $1.O4 per day. when the wages
| of fathers employed on private construction
| in this city are $3.50 per day.
Discharged by Chance Method.
| 1T is also reliably reported that recently,
when the number of carpenters was re-
duced at the proving ground, numbers
designating the men were placed in hat
and the numbers of those to be discharged
were drawn therefrom, apparently without
any regard to the efficiency OF the en-
| plcyes. AS a result Of this presumaply
chance method of discharge, eleven OF the
| twelve drawn were receiving got day'
| who, Judging from the wage rate, were re
| garded as much more proficient than those
| paid S1.16, and who We're retained.
1T further appears that six OF these
! eleven had recently petitioned those In
| charge for an equitable classification of the
| workmen and that five of the six are mem
| bers of labor organizations.
| THE unsatisfactory conditions and meth
! DDS as cited, are said to be directly charge
| able to the superintendent of construction.
In many instances this superintendent has
le-ton II tirlsls Inv X
! men. and favors the employment of cheap
! labor.
believing these facts as stated should
| be brought to the attention of the proper
| authorities, 1t Is hereby ordered that the
same be communicated to the Secretary of
| the Navy. and that he be requested to have
| enforced the regulations of the navy yard.
which should apply to these proving
| grounds" Hj'.,
Amending Constitution.
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