Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-06

mas enjoyed the phenomenal ACTIVITY III t1lc
building industry. Last year was regarded
as a splendid one in this respect. From gen.
eral reports 1t is admitted that 1907 has
ecifpsed all former years, as 1t is said 1t
has been impossible most Of the time to
supply the demand for members Of the
craft from nearly all sections Of our coun-
try and Canada.
Locally, It is stated, the conditions OF the
trade have been very satisfactory, the de-
mand for w0rkmen at times having exceed
ed the supply Notwithstanding the fact that
quite number OF the craft from other To-
calities have been employed.
1t is said that at the present time more
work Is in the course Of construction In
this city than at this season in any previous
year and that the indications are favorable
of busy season during the coming year.
The difference between the Gas Workers
Union and the Washington Gas Light Com
pany, which resulted in a lockout of fifty
six members of the organization about two
months ago, still exists, Notwithstanding
the efforts Of the grievance committee to
adjust the matter satisfac Glory to all con-
cerned. The committee, 1t is stated, have
held several conferences with Mr.. John r.
Mclean, president Of the company, but as
yet have not succeeded in having the men
restored to their former positions. The gas
workers state that they were assured by
Mr.. Mclean, through the grievance COM
mittee of the Central Labor Union, that
they would be re-employed at the works
when vacancies occurred. They state that
lege that as vacancies have occurred 9TH
ers not members Of the union have been
employed. They assert that the company
Is pursuing this course with the motive of
destroying their organization.
At the last meeting of the Central Labor
Union the report made by the grievance
committee relative to the matter was not
definite, and 1t Is probable that further &C
ton will be taken by that body and that
some positive course will be taken in sup
port of the Gas Workers Union.
Notwithstanding the efforts of the special
committee appointed by the Central Labor
Union to adjust, II possible. the trouble
existing between the managers of four Of
the local theaters and the union of theatre
cal employees, there is no apparent change
In the conditions OF several weeks ago. The
committee of the Central Labor Union have
conferred with the managers relative to the
differences at issue. but so far could be
learned nothing definite and conclusive
was accomplished. In the meantime the
theaterS in which nou-union men are en-
ployed are listed by the employees union as
unfair and their grievance Is pending in
the Central Labor Union. At the meeting
OF that body last Monday evening the COM
mittee having the matter in charge re-
ported progress and until a final report Is
made no action will be taken by the CEN
trail body. What this action will be win
concentrations of the committee, which will
probably report at the meeting Of the Gen.
trail Labor Union next Monday evening.
Secretary Frank Morrison of the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor in the current is
sue Of the American Federationist reports
that Of the 2.313 unions making returns
for October. relative to the conditions Of
employment In the respective localities
throughout the country. that with an ag-
gresate membership Of 133. 1854. SO per cent
were without employment. In the month
previous 1.14S unions, with an aggregate
of>arc ,ofC o
unemployed.
These reports include the membership of
the various callings and crafts. and is re-
garded as correctly showing the percent
age of unemployed members Of trade unions
throughout the country.
Secretary Morrison also reports that dur
ing October last 80 charters were issued by
the federation, including international and
national unions, IL city central bodies q
federal labor unions and So local trade
unions.
OF the city central bodies a charter was
issued to a central labor union recently or
ganized at Aguadilla, Porto Rico.
The members of the local labor organi-
cations. without exception. express their
qualification at the reelection of Mr.. Sam
uel Gompers to the presidency Of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor. 1t is the general
opinion in labor circles that Mr.. Gompers'
election without opposition was indorse
ment Of his administration and policies by
the 2,00O,O membership of the federation.
1t is also regarded as a recognition Of his
ability and service which have contributed
Of organized labor in this country, as repre-
scented by the American Federation Of
Labor.
The Trades Unionlst. the organ Of the
local Central Labor Union, in recent Issue
says: THE reelection of Samuel Gompers
as president Of the American Federation of
Labor will meet with the hearty approval
nf mis- labor aUarTwhare hfc
election was without q dissenting voice
speaks volumes for the loyalty and earnest
ness of SO representative body. The as
sstance rendered by Mr.. Gompers during
the troublous hours Of the coal miners
strike is perhaps best known and appre
ciated by Mr.. Mitchell and those imme-
diately associated with him.
The action of the District Commissioners
in appointing a committee to investigate
why the city was not receiving a supply of
anthracite coal received considerable at
tention of the Knights of Labor represen-
tatives at the meeting of District Assembly,
No. 66, on last Thursday night. District
Master Workman Mr.. Thomas P. O'Dea
presided. and Secretary William L. Dewart
who has been away for the past three
weeks on an inspecting tour in the coal
regions, recorded the proceedings. Owing
to the fact that no meeting was held last
week large amount of business Of the
local assemblies had to be transacted.
The executive committee reported that the
Wall Scrapers Assembly had decided by an
unmistakable vote to remain in the knights
of Labor. rather than affiliate with the
brotherhood. The committee stated that
this action of the wall scrapers had been
determined by the alleged recent failure of
the brotherhood to protect its members on
the Shoreham Hotel job.
An important meeting of the Bakers
Drivers Union was reported to be in ses-
sion and quite a number of members Of
the drivers assembly, after making their
report retired to attend that meeting.
The delegates from the Painters Assem-
bly, presented for inspection the preamble
of the amalgamated painters, which had
been submitted to organized labor in the
trade for cooperation and approval. The
delegates further stated that the members
of their assembly had unanimously Endorsed
the platform of the National Association of
Amalgamated Painters Decorators, and
Paper Hangers of America the principles
of which were based on full and complete
autonomy for cities. The advantages of
the Association of Amalgamated Painters
were so apparent and SO readily understood
that quite a number Of former members of
the assembly, some Of whom had been
neutral in the controversy between the
brotherhood and the knights Of Labor and
others who had Joined the brotherhood.
were now applying for reinstatement and
their applications would be acted on at the
next meeting, and 1t was predicted that
within very short space Of time every
Daiptar n this CITY who could would ha