The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26
LOCAL FIREMEN ORGANIZE.
The Union Is Composed of About One
Hundred Members.

About 100 of the 221 firemen in the Dis
trict have organized themselves into a
labor union affiliated with the American
Federation of Labor The object of the
movement, IL is stated. is TO endeavor to
reduce the hours. which are now twenty
four hours day, to twelve hours per day
The matter was discussed at the meet
ing of the Central Labor Union held last
night and a resolution was adopted as
surfing the hremen that the union will
give its full and hearty support in the &C
complishment of their purpose.
A resolution was adopted which, after
reciting that the hremen in the employ
ment of the District Government are
compelled TO work twenty tours six days
in each week, with only one hour a day
in which to partake of their meals; and
that the cause for this is that Congress
failed to appropriate funds sufficient to
employ a sufficient number of firemen to
permit of a twelve hour shift, it states:
That we commend the effort of the District
hremen to secure twelve-hour day, believing
that this cap be moro readily accomplished by
forming union OF the calling affiliated with
the great body of organized labor the American
Federation OF Labor. That we pledge our very
best efforts to assist them in securing their
emancipation from Neutrality-suspicious. day to a
twelve-hour day
That the above resolution be given to the
press and copies be forwarded TO every labor
union. clergyman, and reform organization in
the District requesting their earnest co-opera-
ton with the fremen's union to secure this hui
name change in their hours OF labor.
1t was stated by one of the organizers
of the American Federation OF Labor that
the movement looking toward the orgdni-
zation of the local fremen has been on
foot about three weeks. The District
o., ,ar.e.f
he said was cognizant of this and did not
favor the organization of the firemen into
labor union. In fact it was stated that
an effort was made to discourage the
formation of such an organization.
The work OF organizing the fremen, the
organizer stated. was necessarily slow
because OF the fact that they do not have
time to attend a general meeting II enc
should be called. In consequence when a
sufficient number had signified their in
tentions to form a union and affiliate with
the American Federation Of Labor a char
ter was issued to them by Frank Morri-
son, the secretary Of the Federation. The
question of choosing officers for the form
alton OF a temporary organization then
arose. and as ii was impossible for the
firemen TO meet and hold an election the
choice of officers was made by means of
the referendum vote. This was done last
Ntch. bul thf ht'itS Oi tht olllCtin st
lected have not yet been announced. 1t
was stated last night that a meeting of
the firemen's union will be held during
the latter part OF the present week, when
a permanent organization will be effected
The object OF the organization is stated
to be only to secure shorter hours of
work, through increasing the number of
iiremen now employed in the District.
II was ANNOUNCED that meeting of the
building trades section of the Central La
Dor Union viii be held tomorrow night
at Typographical Temple. E. J. Ratigan
also announced that a meeting of the
Building Trades Council of which he IS
president will be held this evening at
Costello's Hall. 1t Is expected that dele
gates will be present representing all the
building trades unions in the city.
Credentials were presented by delegates
from the Electrical Workers. Horse
Shoers'. and Beer Drivers unions.