Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-02-28
MEMS UNION
Mr.. Morrison Discusses Organization
From His Standpoint.
SAYS RIGHT is UNDERSTANDABLE
The Means of Making the Force
More Efficient.
THE HOURS OF LABO r

Frank Morrison, secretary of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor in speaking today
with a reporter for The Star upon the sub
ject of the proposed organization of labor
union by firemen, asked "Why should the
organization of a union of members OF the
fire department attract a greater degree OF
public attention than would the orsa1iza-
ton of any other class of employees?
Continuing. Mr.. Morrison said: Their
right to organize and affiliate with the
American Federation of Labor should ne
unquestioned, long as the requirements
of this utilization do not interfere in any
possible way with their duties as f1remen.
1t seems that some individuals are appre-
hensive that a union of firemen would pre-
sumo to dictate to those in authority. and
further presume to promulgate code and
regulations for the government Of the Dis
trict fire department. To any one having
even a slight knowledge of the principles
of trade organizations the idea Is ridicu.
lous. 1t is admitted that the efficiency CT
the fire department depends wholly upon
the enforcement of rules and regulations,
just as the successful operation OF rail-
way. steamship line or manufacturing plant.
or any corporate enterprise depends upon
the enforcement of rules and regulations
as they apply to the employe: but DO In
and overt breach of manifestiy just equl-
table and necessary rules and regulations
by the organized employees. In other words,
it is not evident that combination of en-
ployeS of any calling. as d union organlZa-
ton, has been contaminated and maintain
ed to engender disorder and lawlessness 1t
is evident however. that in every depart
ment of labor. million of organized work
men labor daily in obedience to the rules
and regulations prescribed by those in au-
thorty or In charge"
Discusses Objections.
In discussing the objection to the pro-
posed union that the vocation of the fire.
man is exceptional. and that his duties are
of a semi-military nature. differing to
great extent from those required of other
employees in the various government de-
ments Mr. Morrison said
1t is apparent that a fireman is an en-
ploye of our municipal government, en-
gagged for the specific service of saving, SO
far as possible the property of the citizens
from destruction by fire. He performs this |
specific duty just as any other employe of
the government renders certain prescribed
service. 1t is, therefore, reasonable to pre- |
sumo that. long he efficiently per-
forms the service required and obeys the |
rules orders and regulations of the depart |
ment, he should enjoy the same rights en- |
joyed by any other citizen Every depart |
ment of the government has a code of adj |
ministrative rules and regulations which. |
in the main, are rigidly enforced. TO which |
organized workmen are subjected and yet |
apprehends that in their serving |
two masters they will become subordinate |
and seriously jeopardize the discipline, eff |
cheney and orderly conduct of any depart !
ment In the various navy yards, the bu-
reau of engraving and printing, the govern |
ment printing office and the post office de- |
partment thousands of organized employees |
for years have demonstrated the fact that |
men can render unto Caesar the things |
which are Caesars and also remain con-
sstent and loyal to their respective organ
izations. 1t is not apparent that the rela-
lions OF these respective classes of en-
ployeS, with the government the en-
plOyer, differs 10 such great extent from
those OF the hremen to admit of any
valid objection % the members of the de-
partment forming an association to secure |
by honorable, legal and orderly means GER
tain reasonable benefits which If obtained |
would make the service more desirable and |
efficient.
Declared to He UntennbIe.
THE statement that the firemen, in an |
organized capacity, will intrench upon the
prerogatives of those in authority, or will |
dictate rules and regulations for the gov
eminent of the department, or that a char |
ter from labor organization Is a license |
to defy all lawful authority, is untenable.
Those who have given any attention to |
the matter are--ttWare that the force should |
be Increased to such an extent to permit |
q DAY service OF not more than twelve |
hours It ull2t he conceded that il this |
was obtained. the District would have a |
more efficient service. This desired in
crease of firemen, and the consequent |
twelve-hour day of service in lieu of the |
tWenty-four hours of daily service now re-
quired, can only be obtained through -ieeis- |
iatlon While the firemen are municipal |
employees, under our peculiar form of gov
eminent. they must rely upon congressional |
legislation and, though the District Com
missioners should recommend measures |
having in view the ends stated, the force of |
ma TOLL 1,x, &b1
that those Immediately interested as bene-
fciaries. have not the potent right of fran
chise In theory, they are the constituents |
or the national Legislators, but Il cOustitu-
ent without vote Is never specialiy ia
Vored or regarded In other cities of the
country, conditions wholly different |
from those existing in Washington and any
desired changc in municipal administration |
or conditions, as they apply to municipai
employees, depends upon public sentiment
and the fiat of the citizens
While 1t is admitted that the approval |
of any legislative measure by the Commits
sioners will, In most instances. secure the |
favorable consideration of the District
committee, no one will presume that the
endorsement of active, voting labor
constituency beyond the bounds of the Dis
trict will detract from the merits of the
measure or provoke opposition to it's pass
age: Through the American Federation
of Labor, which is national in influence
and sympathetic in utilization, this voting
labor constituency is heard in Congress |
Any measure tending to the amelioration
of the emplOye class of the country allied
Herewith becomes a matter of common in
terest and support For this reason the
firemen have secured a charter from that
body and become Of the household Why,
then, should they not be encouraged even
by those in authority? They have placed
themselves in position to demand and
secure the willing corporation Of organ
lied labor in their behalf in support of
any legislative measure, obviously just and
reasonable, and being of that character
will be approved by those in authority. 1t |
is absurd to anticipate the evils of a 'di-
vided allegiance or that In Serving two
masters the firemen will fail to render
loyal and efficient service as they have ever
CT