Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-18
THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 49, 1902

periors with respect to the reduction in
wages.
Mr.. Feeney states that he was particu-
larry interested in the bookbinding Industry.
he being a bookbinder himself, and he
therefore visited all the principal bInderes
in London and Paris. While in London. he
bindery Known as the Guild of Women
Binderies of London where upward of
twenty women are employed in the most
difficult and artistic work of the trade.
Speaking of the trade generally Mr.. Fesney
stated that it was very brisk and that very
few men were out of work. He says that
eight hours constitutes a days labor and
thatEwOrkmen are given a half holiday On
Saturday. The output. President Feeney de-
cfares, is not so great that produced Ey
American bookbinders. and all binder
les and printing shops are equipped with
American machinery. He says that the
bookbinders. as well the printers, are
thoroughly organized and that they have
erected large homes for the care of their
aged and infirm members.
Taking the labering class as a whole.
President Feeney AYERS their conditions are
very poor, and that their wages are very
low, the average pay of the mechanic be-
ing two pounds or ten dollars a week.
or the many labor organizations in Eng
land. the one which more especially at
tracted President Feeney's attention was
the Woman's Trades Union League. The
league is federation of affiliated unions
consisting wholly or partly of women mem
bers. the present membership of such So
cieties being over $4,000. All secretaries OF
affiliated trades unions are ex-officio mem
berS of the league committee, on which
also certain number of members elected az
the annual meeting. The committee of
council, consisting of leading trades unionists
advises the league, and its members are
present at the annual meeting. The league
is partly supported by contributions from
body of subscribers in sympathy with the
OBJECT OF trades unionism and partly by
the contributions of trades societies and af-
unions n
for trades unions is IS Sd. per $50 women
members The fee has been purpoSely fixed
as low as possible in order not to exclude
small and poor societies from the advantages
OF belonging to the league. The only quail
hcation needed is that the society applying
for affiliation shall be a genuine trades
union, and send out an annual balance
sheet, properly audited.
The leagues policy is to organize women
IN the same unions with men in the same
trade. Where this is mpracticable it Is
thought desirable that any womans union
should be as closely connected with that of
the men. If any exists In the trade.
me league acts as the agent of women
trade unlonists in making representations to
government authorities, or parliamentary
committees, with regard to their legislative
requirements, or in bringing forward spe-
chic grievances in individual trades or fac
tories, by means of questions and repre-
sensations by members of parliament in the
house of commons.
Inc league arranges entertainments
weekly club nights and social evenings for
members and their friends.
At the last meeting of the Bookbinders
Union, No 4, that body contributed $500 in
ADDITION to voluntary collection Of $40 to
the cause of the miners of Pennsylvania If
need be, the union says it will contribute
more funds.
For several months about thirty amalpa
mated painters have been employed at the
Shoreham Hotel on the repair work being
zone under the SUPPLEMENTARY of Robert l.
Fleming. These painters are obiectionahf
to the brotherhood painters, and several
days ago those of the brotherhood who
We're employed on the same work, about
thirty In number. through the action Of
their organization objected to the longer
employment of the amalgamated painters
unless they became members of the local
union Ihe proposition to join the brother
hood, it is stated, was submitted to the
amaigamated painters and was rejected by
them, and they were laid off by the super
Intendent. On last Thursday, it is said.
Mr. Fleming. who has charge of the work
at the Shoreham re-employed the men and
they returned to work, when the union
painters and about thirty paperhangers.
VINO are allied with the brotherhood, quit
work.
1t is probable that the union men will re-
fuse to return to work long as the ANAL
gamated painters are employed; they are
regarded as unfair to the brotherhood
having, it is stated. refused to work w.>h
members OF that organization in New York
city. where they control the trade to a large
extent.
The matter is of considerable local i'm
portance, particularly to the brotherhood
organization of painters, because of the fact
mat several months ago a branch of the
New York anna lgamated was formed in this
city, composed of those members Of what
was known as Mount Vernon Assembly
knights of Labor, who. upon the disinte-
grafton OF that body. declined to join the
local brotherhood of painters and decorators.
which was organized about eighteen months
ago and which is affiliated with the national
organization of the craft.
1t is stated that a number of those en-
ployed at the Shoreham are members of the
local amalgamated organization, and who,
as former members Of Mount Vernon AS
sembly, We're always antagonistic to the
brotherhood.
The miners relief committee Of the Cen
tral Labor Union report that the local Or
ganizations contributed generously for the
aid of the anthracite miners. With but few
exceptions. they state, every union con-
tributed either directly or through the COM
mttee. From reports made by the organf-
cations the committee states that $1O5OO
was contributed and forwarded to the
miners. Several organizations donated
81 900 EACH the bricklayers contributing the
largest sum, $500.
Gas Workers Union. No. 10, 343 of the
American Federation Of Labor, the men,
berS OF which have been idle for the last
ten days because of trouble with the Wash |
ington Gas Light Company, have decided to
appeal to the Central Labor Union ana re-
quest that the matter at issue between the
union and company be submitted to the
grievance committee of that body at the
meeting next Monday evening. A. this
meeting the executive committee which
conferred with Mr. John r. Mclean. pres.-
dent of the company. relative to the trouble,
will make a report.
Messrs. Milford Spohn and E. J. Ratigan,
representing the executive council Of the
Central Labor Union. called President
John r. Mclean Of the company, by agree
ment. yesterday, with view of adjusting
matters.
The labor leaders stated to Mr.. Mclean
that it was the desire of the Central Labor
Union that he re-employ the ffty-six gas
workers who instituted strike against the
company and who were subsequently locked
out, and the seventeen street men who were
discharged for refusing to fill the places Of
the strikers body and that their griev-
ances be submitted to him (Mr. McLean)
for his consideration
Mr.. Mclean, 1t Is said, informed Messrs.
Spohn and Ratigan that he did not propose
to discharge the men who had taken the
places of the strikers and the discharged
street men, but that he would take them