Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-04
IN LABOR CIRCLES

The most important local happening of
the past week in local labor circles was the
strike of the journeymen tailors, which was
partially inaugurated Monday when twenty
four workmen laid down their implements,
the contention being over recognition of the
union. This in numerous instances fur
nfshed the basis for strikes throughout the
country. The tailors' strike, however, be-
came more important Tuesday, when, al
though there were six agreements perfect
ed between as many tailoring firms and the
union during twenty-four hours following
Its inauguration, the number of strikers in
creased by seventy-six, making in all 100
tourneymen tailors idle when darkness fell
Tuesday evening. Between Tuesday even
Ing and Wednesday noon seven additional
agreements were signed by the employers
thereby decreasing the number of men on
strike to about sixty. Since that time the
condition Of affairs has been gradually i'm
proving, the number Of strikers varying
from day to day, and 1t Is thought by many
that the difficulty will be entirely cleared
away by Monday.
The cause of the strike does not appear
on the surface, but, 1T Is said, is attributable
to the action of certain employers in dis
charging several of their employees for no
other reason, 1t is alleged, than that they
are members Of the union. According to
those in a position to know the president,
treasurer and several members of the board
of directors Of the union were among those
summariy dismissed for asserting their al
legiance to and working in behalf of the
cause of labor. This action on the part of
the employers members of the Washington
merchant tailors exchange, 1t is said, was
for the purpose of ultimately diSSolVing the
journeymenS organization. The employers
action. it is stated was sanctioned by the
tailors' exchange.
Mr.. w. H Running. business agent of
the union, who has had charge of the jour-
neymens interests, explains that his or
ganiZation has had no grievance against any
individual employing tailor, but as the tall
ors' exchange has been antagonistic to the
union, an agreement was presented to each
individual employer for his consideration,
an acceptance of which would in effect be a
recognition of the union. The agreement is
understood to contain many important
points relative to the conditions of employ
ment, but it is the idea of the union leaders
to have the bosses first recognize organized
labor.
1t is understood to be the purpose of the
union to create a universal ten-hour work
day and to have none but union men en-
ployed in the local tailoring establishments
The union will. it is further understood.
attempt to have the Sweat system" Of
work, which, it is said, is in vogue at some
establishments, abolished. claiming that it's
abolition will tend to make the workmen
more expert, thereby increasing the quality
of work turned out. The sweat system
is well known among tailors, being regard
ed by the labor leaders as cruel IMPOSE
ton, in that under it the worker-male or
female-is taught to do but one part of the
work in making suit of clothes, thereby
uniting the worker for any other kind of
tailoring work The Sweat system is, in
short, the labor leaders say, the letting of
contracts by several firms to one person,
who employs his necessary help. The con-
tractor, it is said, assigns each of his en-
ployes to a certain portion of the work.
This according to the labor leaders, in
capacitates a worker for any employment
in comparatively short time.
President James O'Connell of the Inter
national Association of Machinists made
statement to a Star reporter regarding
general conditions. as follows
Among the metal trades of the country
the outlook is exceptionally bright. In fact
I am of the opinion that the coming year
will prove to be the most prosperous that
organized labor has ever experienced. My
assertion is based upon the fact that the
relations between the employer and the
employee are gradually becoming more har-
monious, much to the qualification of all
concerned. This condition is manifest on
every hand. and there are no indications
of general movement which will result
in strikes or lOckouts.
Naturally the past victories of unionism
has had an encouraging effect upon the
workers of the country. and in consequence
organized labor will continue the endeavor
to improve the conditions under which
union men are employed. I have learned
that in great many of the localities agree
ments are being reached between the labor
leaders and the employers. the latter con-
ceding a reduction in the working hours.
increases in wages and more favorable
shop rules.
1.-The general effort is being made to bring
all the metal trades of the universe into
closer relationship through the Metal
Trades Federation of North America,
which has but recently established head
quarters in this city. This federation is
founded upon commendable principles, and
its main purposes are First, to prevent
unnecessary friction with the mpioyers
bring about improved condition. Of en-