Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-10
IN LABOR CIRCLES

e
cific Railroad Company. which was begun
about 1--WE months ago, and which has great
ly tested the strength Of labor unionism, Is
attracting widespread attention, not only
among the crafts named. but in the ranks
of organized labor generally. The officials
OF the International Association Of Ma
chinists, the International Union of Boiler
makers and Shipbuilders and the Brother
hood OF Blacksmiths are greatly concerned,
the members Of those organizations being
involved in the difficulty. They are using
every means in their power to adjust the
strike In manner satisfactory to the
cause Of unionism.
In the opinion of labor leaders Of national
prominence the struggle of the union work
ers against the Union Pacific Railroad
Company Is nearing an end, and In view OF
the fact. that the officials of that company
have recognized the power of the organized
laboring man, indications point to tri-
umphant victory for the labor cause. The
officials of the railroad, 1t is said, were
reluctant to recognize the union Workmen
when considering the affairs OF the COM
pany, but they finally relented and extend
ed the hand of fellowship to the officials of
the international labor organizations with
which the strikers are affiliated and ex-
pressed desire that the officers use their
good offices to bring the trouble to an end
as quickly as possible.
Negotiations have been on foot between
the labor leaders and the officials OF the
railroad and. as result, several confer
ences have been held. At no one of the
conferences has a definite agreement look
Ing to the settlement Of the strike been
reached but it may be stated that the
progress thus far attained Is gratifying and
the negotiations bid fair to effect early ad-
justment of the grievances. The last meet
ing Of the labor and railroad officials was
held in New York city Tuesday. President
James OConnell and Fourth Vice President
Thomas l.. Wilson of the International AS.
ISOLATION of Machinists, the headquarters OF
which are located in this city; President
John Mcneil Of the International Union of
Boilermakers and Shipbuilders, President
John Slocum Of the Brotherhood of Black
smiths, President Burt and Vice President
William D. Cornish of the Union Pacific
railroad were the conferees. The conference
lasted all day and at Its conclusion 1t was
announced that no agreement had been !or-
mulated, but that the railroad officials
would confer with a Joint committee repre-
senting the union workers Of the system
two or three weeks hence at Omaha, Neo.
In conversation with a Star reporter
President James OConneI said:
1.-The principal causes Of the present strike
are: First, we object to the premium sys-
tenn Of work, our members preferring to
work under the method now IN vogue or
rather by the day; second, we think II rlgnt
and just that the men should receive az
least Is per cent increase in salary, ana
third we want a new system OF shop rules
and regulations as to the number OF ap-
prentices that should be employed.
The railroad officials are very deslrous
of inaugurating the premium system OF
work. which was the topic OF much as
cussion at all the conferences thus far neio.
The company has expressed Willingness
to grant the increase OF pay ana . frame "a q
new set of shop rules and regulations re-
garding apprentices provided the strihers
will acuuiesce so far as the premium sys-
tenn of working Is concerned.
1.-The principal objection to the premium
system is that it tends to urge men to pro-
duce to their utmost capacity ana apllty,
thus rapidly wearing them out mentally and
physically and, in the end, they suner a re-
duction in wages, for as the men increase
their output the company would unquestion-
ably reduce the rate of pay agreed upon
Another point against the premium system
Is that In hurrying to make large pay the
work turned out by the men would not De
Of as fine a quality as produced unueT Tic
present method. rH1E
I'm other words, there is no stability or
reliability Of the system, for where men
have worked under that method there have
been constant changes in wages and condi-
lions, a workman having no knowledge from
day to day of what his income will be the
following day. In concluding my talk wish
to say that the railroad officials have been
very courteous to the labor leaders, and
be held with the joint committee at Omaha
Neb., within short time"
The members Of Washington Lodge, No.
1893, International Association Of Ma
chinists, are preparing to inaugurate
an eight-hour work day. According to in
formation from an authentic source the new
system will be put into effect April next
AS eight hours is generally recognized as
constituting a days labor in the District
of Columbia the officers Of the union appre-
bend no difficulty with regard to the new
movement. They have. however, taken pre-
%.o,1 c%N oV1 r4I f,,l0
ment of the international body, which
carries with it the moral and financial sup
port of union machiniSts.
The officers of the local union have been
considering the adviSability of instituting
the new movement for some time, and have
made a canvass Of the various machine
shops, ascertaining the sentiments of the
employers. Thus far. 1t is understood, the
majority of the employers have approved
the eight-hour scheme.
The members of the union held smoker
recently at their hall at 18th street and
Pennsylvania avenue. Mr.. James OConnell,
president Of the internal body, one of the
invited guests, delivered the address of the
occasion, reciting the growth and marked
progress of the international organization
Mr.. O'Connell said the machnists' unions
all over the country are in a furnishing con-
dition.
AS far as can be learned the labor board
Of the Navy Department has taken no ac-
ClOn upon the petition submitted to it by
Columbia Lodge Of Machinists of this CITY
asking for an increase In pay for the union
machinists employed at the Washington
navy yard.
A joint conference will be held at the
Typographical Temple during the present
month between committees representing the
Brotherhood of Blacksmiths the Interna-
tional Union of Carriage and Wagon Work.
ers and the Brotherhood Of Painters, Deo-
orators and Paperhangers, with a view to
adjusting, If possible, their differences re-
garding jurisdiction. The principal point
Of dissension is in reference to painters en-
gagged in the manufacture and repair of car
riages and wagons.
The Amos j. Cummings memorial COM
mdttee appointed by the president of the
International Typographical Union viii
hold a preliminary meeting in this city
Thursday next. The committee will devise
ways and means of erecting a monument
in memory of Mr.. Cummings, who was a
champion of labor unionism.
Local Union No. e Of Carriage and Wag-
on Workers will hold its secon~ annual ball
and entertainment about the middle of Feb
ruary committee, consisting Of g. w.
Drummer, David Pagan, John A. Giebel, R.
F. Jonscher and A. ]. Langley, is preparing
program for the occasion, which will in
clude a performance by the local Burnt
Cork Club. The union has removed its
headquarters from 12O4 to 9O2 Pennsylvania
avenue, and has resolved to meet twice