Evening star., 1901-03-26
FAVORS DISTRICT SUFFRAGE
ADDRESS By z. w. OYSTER BEFORE
CENTRAL LABOR UNION.
Restoration of Elective Franchise
Observation-Disclosures transacted
at Meeting Last Night.

Suffrage
the proposed issue of bonds for sewer ano
street extension were the subjects Oh al
address delivered by Mr.. E. w. Oyster al
the meeting of the Central Labor Union
held last evening at Typographical Temple
| Mr. Oyster severely criticised the present
form of District government and advised
organized labor, as represented in the Cen
traI Labor Union, to make earnest and per-
sistent effort for the restoration of the
elective franchise He denounced the pres
ent government as plutocratic, radical
departure from the principle of representa-
tive government and destructive of the
sovereign right of the citizen. He suggest
ed that a statement of the political condi-
tions in the District be submitted to the
labor organizations of the country, ana
that they be urged to petition Congress to
establish popular government in the Dis
trict.
Mr.. Oyster also referred to the PROPOSE
ton to issue Improvement bonds to defray
the cost of sewer and street extension as
a scheme to tax the many for the exclusive
benefit of a few financiers and suburban
property owners.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Oysters remarks
it was decided to consider the subjects re-
ferred to under special order at the next
meeting of the Central Labor Union.
Alleges Discrimination.
A communication was read from the Re-
tail Clerks Protective Association, No.
2S2, stating that the Washington Traction
Company is about to award the contract
for uniforms for employees of that road,
and it is stated that local firms will not
be given the privilege of bidding on the
work they have not been requested to
do so. 1t also stated that those of
the company having the awarding of the
contract favor a Baltimore firm, notwith-
4; Ia cp4 fhn<
firms, if permitted. would successfully
compete with firms elsewhere. 1t was the
sense of the delegates that home firms
should be given an opportunity to submit
estimates for the work, and Secretary
Brinkman was directed to request the
company to invite bids from Washington
firms and favor them with the contract.
A special committee which was appointed
to inquire into the alleged violation of the
federal eght-hour law by contractor for
the marble finishing at the treasury build
ing reported that it was informed by the
men that they are required to work nine
hours a day. On the day when the COM
mittee called it is stated the men quit
work at 4 o'clock an hour earlier than
usual, in compliance with law.
1t was reported that since the OrganiZa-
tion of the street railway employees. sew
eral months ago, about hundred of the
members of the union have been dis
charged from the service of the Washing
ton Traction and Electric Company. 1t
o
delegates that in most instances the men
We're discharged because they are members
of a labor organization. 1t is said that the
men discharged were competent employees,
and those Of the company In charge have
in many instances refused to state the
reason for dismissal when requested to do
so. 1t was decided to inform President
McDermott and Vice President Harries
that it is the sense of the Central Labor
Union that the motive of the company is
the disintegration of the union. and If that
course is pursued organized labor will re-
gard the company as inimical to union
wage workers.
Protest Ordered.
1t was ordered that protest be made to
the District Commissioners against the en-
ployment of the inmates of the workhouse
on street Improvements. 1t was stated that
this class of labor is employed on Genessee
street. X street southeast, 18th street north
east and other localities, to the exclusion
of other labor.
In reply to the questions submitted by
the Upper Iowa University, DO illiterate
foreigners make good trade unionists?' and
DO you favor educational test?" the
secretary was directed to forward the fol-
lowing reply:
1T is the sense of this body that illit-
crate foreigners do not make good trade
uniOniStS for the reason that the success of
the trade union movement depends upon
nomic questions and conditions which make
trade unionism necessary for the moral and
material advancement of the wage work
erS.
I'm reply to the second question, we IA
vor an educational test, to the extent, at
least, that every citizen and prospective
citizen should have some knowledge of the
duties of citizenship and his proper rela-
tionS to society.
Union ReOrganized.
1t was announced that the organization
known as the Wagon and Carriage Build
ers' Union, No. 1, recently disbanded and
that reorganization was effected under a
national charter as Local Union, No. 70
The following are the officers of the new
organization: David Fegan president;
Frank WILCOX, vice president; T. H. Brink
man, recording secretary; B. Wandall
financial secretary; James L. Stevens
treasurer; I. E. Webster, guide; w. Everett
guardian; ]. Fl. Brinkman j. T. Gately and
H. Goldsmith, trustees