Evening star., 1902-04-29
CENTRAL LABOR UNION.
Declaration Regarding Ship Subsidy
Bill and Street Railway Bill.

In the approval of the report of its legis-
lative committee the Central Labor Union,
In session last evening, declared its oppo-
sition to the measure which recently
passed the Senate and which is generally
known as the ship subsidy bill. The report
Of the committee states that "the Central
Labor Union places itself on record as op-
posing the granting of subsidies to any
industry whatever. believing that to do so
is violation of the fundamental principles
Of our government. inasmuch as such legis-
public treasury and thereby causing the
chosen few"
AS recommended by the committee the
secretary of the body Is instructed to COM
municate with the Speaker of the House,
the President Of the Senate and the Presi-
dent of the United States, and. in behalf of
the Central Labor Union. protest against
the granting of subsidies as proposed in the
bill.
The union approved the report of the
legislative committee relative to the draft
of a bill prepared by joint committee of
the various local citizens associations apply
ing to the operation of street railways. The
report states that evidently it is the pur-
pose Of the measure to legally compel the
street railway companies to render proper
service to the public in return for the val
liable franchises granted them. knowing
the disposition of these corporations to
disregard the convenience of the public, the
intent of the measure Is commendable. 1t
Is defective, however, in not providing to
some extent for the relief of the over
worked and under-paid employees of these
corporations
The committee suggests that the section
Of the proposed bill which provides that
motormen and conductors in charge of any
car operated in violation of the stated re-
quirements shall be fined be amended to
read: But such motorman and conductor
shall not be held guilty of a violation Of
the provisions and requirements If it is
evident that the violation was in obedience
to the rules of the railway company or in
compliance with the orders of officials to
whom they are subordinate
This amendment" states the committee.
fs deemed necessary to protect the en-
ploye from the manifest injustice of being
fined for an offense for which he is not di-
rectly responsible and which upon his
refusal to commit would cause him to be
fined by the company or discharged and
blacklisted for disobedience of rules or
orders
Amendments are also proposed requiring
that from November to April l all motor
cars shall be provided with vestibules for
the protection of motormen from exposure
to cold or inclement weather, providing for
waiting rooms at all transfer points, and
conductor shall be limited to nine hours In
one calendar day, and that a minimum
wage Of 81 be paid therefor.
The report recommends that the secre-
tary Of the Central Labor Union submit
the suggested amendments to the District
Commissioners and request that they add
the same, in substance, to the proposed bill.
The bill recently introduced in Congress
requiring that places of business be closed
on Sunday was Endorsed. and a resolution
was adopted pledging the cooperation of
the union with others to secure the passage
Of the bill.