Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-20
IN LABOR CIRCLES

President Samuel Gompers of the Amert-
can Federation Of Labor returned to Wash
ington Thursday from9a trip to the an
thracite coal regions. while in Pennsylva-
mia he appeared before the anthracite coal
strike commission. Upon his return he
found that a large number of important
papers awaited his Consideration. After
disposing Of these he Immediately turned
his attention to labor matters before Con-
gress-the eight-hour bill. the anti-intunc-
ton bill. the convict labor bill and the bill
introduced in both houses of Congress last
session providing that twelve hours shall
constitute days labor for the firemen
employed by the District government.
MT. fGompers Is making active prepara-
tons with the American Federation of La
Dor leaders in the various states to present
measures to the several state legislatures
prohibiting child labor. Several states have
enacted laws bearing upon this important
topic, but 1t Is the desire of Mr.. Gompers
that the prohibition of such labor be made
universal. He Is especially interested In the
convict labor bill, and in his last annual re-
port, which was made public before the
present session Of Congress convened, he
says:
Mr.. John ]. Gardner Of New Jersey in
troduced in the House the prison labor bill
drafted by the industr1hl commission, Wal ch
Dlll IN the previous Congress had been re-
1errea TO the committee on labor re-
ported Iavorably to and passed by the
House. In this Congress the bill wa1 re-
ferred to the judiciary committee, from
whence no report has thus far been made.
me Dill In substance gives authority to the
states which have protective laws against
the competition Of convict labor with the
labor or the free citizens, to enact laws pro-
hlbiting the entrance into that state of any
article the product of convict labor A
q ref tN leo
introduced by Mr.. Slayden of Texas. which
was also referred to the judiciary commit
tee.
I'm view of the reference to this committee
1t may be more difficult to secure favorable
action thereon. In the event of that opinion
proving accurate it Is suggested that au-
thority be given for the drafting and intro
duction of a bill drawn upon different
lines
1t Is stated that the members OF the Rail-
way Clerks Associa ton, which, It Is under
STOOD. several months ago rejected the
oHer OF the American Federation of Labor
Tor animation. has reconsidered Its action
and expressed a desire to become closer
allied with the federation. On account Of
the order of President Roosevelt that en-
pioyes or the government are prohibited
from petitioning Congress direct. II was
deemed the part Of wisdom by the clerks
to become part OF the larger organization,
SO that their interests may be more ad-
Vantageously taken care Of
In conversation with Star reporter Sec
rotary morrison stated that there has been
decided increase in membership during
the past twelve months. Every class OF
workmen. says Mr. Morrison, are becom
ing amiiatee with the american Federation
OF Labor. AT present. there are about 100
International unionSsllied with the fedora
ton. being over SOAR bent Of all the in
ternational bodies existence.
The regular meettng Of Journeymen Bar
bers' Local Union No. go. was held
Wednesday eveningSatSHgoners Hall, 1877 7th
to order by MT. HaSsy SieIer. president pro
tenn. After the reaSmg md adoption Of the
minutes OF the prededinE injecting, two new
members were obliaetsdInd one application
for membership waEaEt4 on
The financial and HpffS Sponding secretary
Mr.. Theodore A. Le11t&rE submitted his an
nual report, whichs ~ lined short his
tory Of the work %jafifE the past twelve
the good Of the union. The more Important
OF the suggestions are that BARRIERS IL
cense law should b akted In the District
to provide that evel barber be examined
consisting of two knSlpyifg BARRIERS. two
journeymen and a re6Stsentative OF the Dis
trict Commissioners.k Secretary Lecxeft
also suggests tn his report that headquar-
home and where employers may easily OBJ
tain help. The entire report was read and
accepted and a vote of thanks was tender
ed the secretary for his efficient services
during the past year.
After all routine matters had been dis
posed OF. the annual election was held. It
resulted as follows: President r. H. Davis;
vice president. George Willeke: secretary,
Theodore A. Leckert; recorder, J. II. Huld-
erman: treasurer. T. W. Wetzel: guide. Mr..
Fred Fink; doorkeeper. John Gabriel:
finance committee, August Kothmann,
chairman; Jacob Justis and Harry Meier;
agitation committee. Harry Meier. chair
man; John Gabriel. George Wiileke. Charles
Winkler. Fred Fink. John Sussan, John
Paro. Julius Brauer. Jacob Justis and Law
renee McVerry; grievance COMMITTEES. An
gust HOFFMAN. chairman. w. h Keller and
Jacob Justfs: delegates to the Central Labor