Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-24

leaders, many OF whom have visited the
city and appeared before the council in be-
half of their respective organiza lions.
Immediately upon assembling the council
entered upon the consideration of the many
| matters referred to it by the last conven-
ton of the federation. held in New Orleans,
La. When President Samuel Gompers
called the roll all the members of the coun-
ell, with the exception of Vice President
John Mitchell of Scranton. Pa, and Vice
President Max Morris of Denver, Col, re-
Sponded.
One of the first and most important SUBJ
jects taken up by the council related to the
labor conditions in the Philippines, a reso-
luton bearing upon which was introduced
at the last convention of the federation,
The matter was thoroughly reviewed, and,
as a result, the federation decided to send
a representative to the archipelago and
Hawaii upon a mission of investigation
The council decided to make this move
ment mainly because of the proposition ad-
vanced by members of the chamber Of
commerce and Others to send Chinese la
borers into the Philippines. Upon this topic
President GomperS said:
1.-The Importation of the Chinese is the
scheme of men who wish to exploit cheap
labor. Already there are more white men
there, to say nothing of Filipinos, than can
find employment. There is a large num-
Der of discharged soldiers who elected to
remain on the islands and who are COM
ptlSut anu W WOTk, many OF whom
are without occupation The admission of
oriental Workmen who are able to get along
with lower wages would GUST the present
inhabitants from their rightful positions.
In Hawaii the conditions are practically
the same, with the exception, of course, of
the soldiers. The natives and Japanese
there have applied to US for protection and
we mean to give 1t to them. We are going
70 take up all sides OF the subject however.
We shall send representative direct to
China. He will not go into the interior but
to Hong Kong and other centers of emigra-
ton. We shall also send to Japan for the
vestisation.
The inhabitants Of the Philippines are
already exhausted by war and crushed by
misfortune They are in position to
defend themselves, but they are under the
protection of the American flag. and we
| mean to do our share to help them"
That persons AFFILIATED with the union
labor movement and the general public are
gradually becoming unified was again DEM
onstrated few days ago at one Of the ses-
slons OF the council. when that body gave
| us lndorsement to the agitation looking to
the establishment OF representative form
Of government in the District of Columbia
Ihe federation went further than to merely
lndorse the proposition; 1t issued instruc-
lions TO the resident members of the coun-
Gil TO WORK In unison with other citizens
VINO favor 1t for the purpose of securing the
passage of the Gallinger resolution
fresioent Gompers announced that petit
ton which Is in line with the Instructions
| issued has been framed anu Submitted to
President Roosevelt for his consideration.
and that an organization composed of the
iocal LABOR leaders and other citizens has
been formed for the purpose of having self
government restored to the District neonIe
Inc matter also received the indorse-
ment OF the Central Labor Union recently
~nen a resolution was adopted to the eff
feet that the District Of Columbia shan
pc considered a state in SO far as shall en-
title 1t to representation in the Congress of
the United States and in the electoral COL
lege' and that the District of Columbia
senators shall be chosen by direct vote Of
the people"
harmony between property owners and
iaoor organizations was evidenced at the
last meeting of the Brightwood Citfzens'
association. That body adopted resoIu-
lions urging Congress to pass the bill tn
troduced at the last session Of Congress
p ts't that twelve hours shall consti-
tute a days labor for the firemen employed
by The District fire department
The initial session Of the annual con-
America was held in Indianapolis. Ind
MONDAY. at which time President John
Mitchell! submitted his annual report. The
report includes a demand for an increase
erence to the recent anthracite coal strike
In Pennsylvania. and the difficulties which
arose In Virginia and West Virginia
PRESIDENT Mitchell informed the mining
delegates that their national Organization
mas larger sum of money in its treasury
than 1t ever had before and declared that
the permanent defense fund should be al
lowed to Increase to such proportions as
to enable the miners organization to meet
the corporations of the country on the
nelu OF battle at moments notice. He
Dased the demand for higher pay upon
the fact that the mine owners are prosper
ing and declared that the present Is an
opportune time for the miners to gain an
increase.
1t Is understood that Rear Admiral Fran
els L. Bowles, chief Of the bureau of con-
struction and repair Navy Department,
mas recommended to Secretary Moody that
the piece work system be inaugurated at
the Brooklyn navy yard. rumor to this
erect Is current among the craftsmen and
Is causing much uneasiness.
speaking Of the rumor to Star reporter
prominent official of one OF the largest
international unions stated that he had in
formation from reliable source confirming
the report and said he thought 1t would be
very indiscreet for the naval officials to
make the change. The United States gov
eminent, he declared, can compete with all
individual contractors in the building of
warships by, the day-work plan. and any
attempt to change the method in vogue will
meet with opposition from all the interna-
tional metal trades
The present strike of the union machn-
1915 UOlleTfIldktFS anu UIdChSuifttiS OI the
Union Pacific Railroad Company is the re-
suit, he said, of an attempt to inaugurate
the piece or premium system Of work. The
strikers are unalteraFbly. opposed to this
method of earning livelihood. Negotia-
lions are on foot between the officials of
that railroad and the international labor
unions concerned looking to settlement
of the strike. A conference will be held
within the next few days at Omaha, Neb.
1t is stated that the Secretary of tho
Navy will be asked to disregard the rec
concentration of Admiral Bowles. The mat
ter is being thoroughly investigated, and
should the labor leaders deem it expedient
Congress will be consulted. =
The union machinists of this city are up
in arms over AM article which appeared in
recent issue of aSBaltimore newspaper
to the effect that the machinists of the
Washington navy yard are against the pas
sage of the eight-houf bill, pending in Con-
gress. The union machinists who are en-
pleyed In the navy yard. and who are men,
bers of Columbia Lodge, No. ia, Fnterna-
tional Association OF Machinists. are es-
pecfally indignant over the report and de-
sire that it be denied
In conversation with representative of
The Star. Mr.. William H. Hence. ex-sec-
rotary OF the body. said:
The article is quite misleading. All
LABOR organizations are steadfastly endeav-
oring to secure universal work day of