Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-02-26
flREMEN'S UNION ENDORSED
ACTION TAKEN BY CENTRAL LABOR
RODY LAST NIGHT.
The Demand for Twelve Hours of Ser
vice Instead of Twenty-FOur
Hours Daily.

At the weekly meeting of the Contra
Labor Union, held last evening at Typo
graphical Temple. that body, by a unani-
nous vote, placed itself on record as favor
ing the organization Of an association OF
members of the District fire department
under charter granted by the American
Federation of Labor. The sense of the
union was expressed by the adoption OF
resolutions which state that the fremen
of the District of Columbia upon whom we
depend to protect our lives and property
from fire. are compelled to work twenty
four hours during six days each week, with
but an hours absence from station for each
meal.
That they have formed a union in af-
fiiiation with the American Federation OF
Labor for the purpose of securing by pc
tition and other honorable and legal means
a work day of twelve hours.
THAT the adoption of a tWelVe-hOur work
day will not impair the efficiency of the
force. but will make the service more de-
srabe than ii is under present conditions.
That the only obstacle in the way OF
the District firemen securing reasonable
service day of twelve hours is the failure
of Congress TO appropriate sufficient funds
to employ the number of firemen necessary
to maintain in the District the best fire
department in the United States, on a ba-
sis of twelve hours of daily service.
w e therefore commend llc EFFORTS pl lile
District fircmen to secure twelve-hour
work day. and believing that this can be
more readily accomplished by forming a
union of their calling affiliated with the
great body of organized labOr-the Amer
lean Fedora tion--the Central Labor Union
pledges itself to assist them in their efforts
to secure 4 service day of twelve hours"
II was ordered that the resolutions be
given to the press. and that copies be for
warded to all labor unions. clergymen and
reform organizations in the District of Co
lumbia. with the request that they earn
estly cooperate with the tremen to secure
this humane change in their hours of la
Dor
1t is stated that the above resolutions
Were adopted to correct the false impress
sion that an organization of firemen would
in even the remOteSt sense conflict with the
discipline Of the department. 1t is said by
those who have been active In promoting
the organization that the object Of the fire
men IN becoming affiliated with organized
labor is TO secure. when necessary, the
support of the American Federation of La
Dor in forwarding desirable and wholesome
legislation. An utilization limited to this
purpose, it is stated, will not to the least
extent interfere with the administration of
the department or provoke any contention
with those in authority.
A letter was read from James P. Rahal
and Jerome F. Healy, president and secre-
tary, respectively, of Typographical Union
No. of New York city, giving official no.
tiication that in the long-standing conten-
ton between that union and the New York
Sun opposition IS withdrawn by the union.
The communication states that it is the de-
sire of the union that the fact be brought
to the attention of all members of or
ganized labor. good faith and sound pol
Icy suggest the same publicity in this in
stance as was given to the unions agrees
sive declarations.
Several additional delegates having been
appointed to represent the building trades
affiliated with the Central Union in a build
ing trades section. it was announced that a
meeting would be held at Typographical
Temple on Wednesday evening next, when
officers of the section will be elected.
Mr.. Charles Rosenkranz, organizer for
the Journeymen Tailors' National Union,
reported that during the past week he
had endeavored to organize a local union
of the craft, but had failed as the organ
lied tailors are attached to the Socialist
Labor Alliance, and are opposed to union
organization. 1t was stated by local or
ganlZer that about thirty journeymen tailors
have consented to organize, and steps will
be taken to form union.
Delegates We're obligated for the ensuing
term from Journeymen Horseshoers' Local
MON, No. II; Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers Local Union No. 26 and Beer
Drivers Union, No 234