Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-27

eight hours shall constitute a days labor
for all workmen employed directly or In
directly by the government or on govern
ment contracts. The bill was favorably
acted upon by the House of Representa-
tives at the first session Of the present
Congress, and the Senate committee on edu-
cation and labor, which has had the meas
ure under consideration for some time past
reported to the Senate last Saturday. The
committee amended the measure slightly
1t is stated that the bill. although amend
ed in some sections remains in about the
same shape as when it left the House. 1t
has been Endorsed by majority Of the
members of the Senate committee.
A large portion of the report is taken up
with an anne dment limiting the operations
of the proposed law to contracts with the
government This is done to meet the OBJ
lection that the act would apply to work
other than that done for the government
In cases in which the government con-
tractor might have work In hand for other
persons or for himself They say that this
amendment is merely a correct interpre-
tation OF the House bill
Speaking of the general policy Of the
measure, the committee says: Your COM
mittee does not doubt the right of Con-
gress to extend the eght-hour day. The
majority approve the policy Of extending
the eight-hour day, believe it's results will
will be improved, that the happiness and
homes of workingmen will be greater and
brighter, the intelligence of the people in
creased and civilization advanced by such
legis alton. A majority of your committee
believes that this measure which has re-
ceived from the whole committee such seri-
Gus and careful consideration. is not radi-
cal. but conservative. and, therefore. rec
ommend its passage"
1t is understood that the legislative COM
mittee of the Central Labor Union will. In
the near future. take steps to urge the
members of the House and Senate to take
up the bill introduced at the last session
of Congress in the House by Representa-
tive Mudd and in the Senate by Senator
Mason of Illinois. providing that twelve
hours shall constitute days work #, for
members of the local fire department. The
local firemen are affiliated with the Cen
trail Labor Union through the Fire De-
partment Employees p. and B. Union, No
1916 Since the agitation for a shorter day
for the firemen was begun by the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor the membership
of the union has been greatly increased.
standing among the rank and file of the
members of the trade unions Of this city
regarding the controversy between local
clothing store with branches in Baltimore
and New York. and the Retail Clerks
Union. 1t is stated there Is no variance
regarding the hours Of opening and closing
or of permitting the clerks to join the
union, and the only point at issue is
whether the firm should be required to
compel clerks who do not care to join the
union to become members or insist on
those who are members remaining such in
good standing.
The resident manager Of the house in
question has offered to accompany the Or
ganizer of the Retail Clerks Union to
every employee In his establishment. and
states specifically that he has absolutely
no objection to any employe becoming a
member. and he agreed further that all
the other demands Of the union shall be
granted. In fact, 1t Is said, the conditions
as laid down in the contract of the Clerks
Union have, for a long time, been in force
In this house In Baltimore nearly all the
employees of the firm are members Of the
Retail Clerks Union. and in this city a
great majority are members.
Arrangements are being completed for the
joint conference Of delegates of the Inter
national Bookbinders' Union, the Interna-
tional Typographical Union and the Inter
national Pressmen's Union, which will be
held at indianapolis. Ind, during the next
month for the purpose Of framing an agree
ment to which each Of the three bodies Is
a party. Some contentious have arisen
among these international organizations
within the past few months and 1t is for
the purpose Of putting these grievances to
The British labor commission, headed by
Mr.. Alfred Moseley. the millionaire dia-
mond merchant of London, England which
visited Washington the 26th ultimo on his
| tour of the principal American cities in
speeding the labor conditions of this coun-
try. has arrived home. The commission
spent six weeks in this country and. &C
cording to American and English newspa-
per reports. the members were greatly en-
lightened by the trip. Each member of the
| commission is. according to promise, going
to make an extensive report as to his in
dividual observations.
These reports Mr.. Moseley hopes will be
| ready for the publisher within few weeks.
Mr.. Moseley is quoted as saying that as a
result Of the report it is his desire that
changes will be made in the methods in
vogue in several English trades. According
to the English press. Mr.. Moseley said he
could not anticipate the reports, but that he
was greatly impressed with the superiority
OF American over British workmen, and
that Americans worked harder and were
better trained and educated than the Eng
lish workers. 1t is also reported that he
expressed his intention Of bringing another
commission to this country next fall to
| make a study of the educational conditions
OF the country. Mr.. Moseley bore every ex-
pense Of the members of the commission
| which has just returned home.
"a condition of industrial ina ctivity has
| taken place in Europe from various causes
| and thousands of laborers are thrown out
OF employment,' says the Labor Press OF
|
| France are affected, but England seems
| most distressed.
ct is estimated that 500, coo persons are
| idle In the united kingdom. and the board
| OF trade returns show the largest percent
age for ten years past of unskilled per-
cons out of work. while the proportion of
| skilled men without employment is con-
stantly growing. The Woolwich arsenal
| authorities have discharged 1000 mechan-
| les since the winter set in, and are pre-
| pairing to let out 4 600 more. To the army
/ Of people out Of work must be added $4,000
| members of the army reserve who have
| been released from service with the colors.
| The worst distress naturally is visible in
| the East End.
| "A number of newspapers have started
subscription columns and daily print har-
| rowing stories of half-c,ad school children,
| many of whom are without any food eX-
| cept scanty luncheons furnished by some
| sympathetic teachers. A number of Lon
don suburban councils are starting public
works In order to employ a small portion
| OF the idle persons. The Canning Town sub
urb. where the distress is keenest, has APP
propriated $4,000 for relief work. The
| London city council will consider the prop
| oSition for calling a conference OF munic-
| ipal bodies throughout the country to dis
cuss what can be done toward establishing
a permanent system for relieving the un-
employed. Coincident with the general
| distress and idleness the Shpbuilders Fed
Grafton is quietly preparing for test of
strength with the labor unions that may
! precipitate a general strike equal to the