Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-21
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the four international bodies should meet
for the purpose Of adjusting matters.
The conclusions OF the conference are NOT
final at present, but will be decisive after
ratification by a referendum vote OF the
membership Of the four trades. the agree
ment will go into operation as soon ds rali
fed.
With President A. ]. Engel OF Chicago
presiding the annual convention of the Up
holsterers' International Union of America
began last Saturday morning In st. Louis.
According to reports movement has been
started among the organized labor people OF
this country for the purpose OF appointing
a commission to go to Great Britain ana
Europe with a view to STUDYING the lapor
conditions. Such a commission or Enensn
workmen visited the United states Iateiy
as the guests Of Mr.. Alfred Moseiy, the
great diamond merchant and philanthroplst
Of London, who Is stanch champion %
organized labor. It Is also rumored that
Mr. Moseey is getting up another commis-
sion of English toilers to bring to this
country. He was so favorably impressed
with the results derived from his last Visit
that upon his return to the English capltal
he announced his intention to come 10 the
United States again in a short time.
According to the annual report Of the
state labor commissioner of missouri, or.
ganizers Of union labor have been most
active in that state during the last year.
The report says the union membership IN
the city Of st. Louis increased 6,Ol6, whiie
in the other large municipalities OF the state
it was over 10000.
1t is predicted that there will be many
labor strikes and difficulties during the
present year. A large number OF the inter-
national organizations have announced that
new wage scales will go into erect IN the
spring and, 1t is thought by those who are
inclined to be pessimistic that all the oe-
struggle. Several new wage scales are TO
be put in effect within the next two months
in Washington, but 1t Is not thought that
any trouble will arise here.
'eMother" Jones, the well-known organ
izer of the United Mine Workers Of Amer
lea, visited the city during the week and
addressed socialist meeting; Whlle she
does not altogether indorse the tenets OF
the American Federation OF Labor. she
says the officials Of that body are all good
men and are moving in the right direction.
Members Of Grocery Clerks Union. No.
b93, enjoyed themselves at smoker Thurs
gay evening at Costello's Hall. Speech
making was the reigning feature and many
timely and important phases of the labor
movement were discussed.
The Interna tional Typographical Union
purposes ting the proposed statue OF
the late Amos j. Cummings IN the northern
lawn of the pension office grounds. racing
the local Typographical Temple. A meet
ing Of the officials of the union was held In
this city short time ago for the purpose
Of devising ways and means for the erec-
ton of such a memorial. The project Is
being pushed as rapidly as possible, and II
Congress grants permission 1t Is expected
that a monument Of the noted champion of
union labor will occupy space at the place
named with the next year.
Mr. Norman Jobes, for some time past
secretary of the local Retail Clerks Union,
has gone to Pittsburg, Pa, to accept po-
sition with a large department store.
The regular meeting of BARRIERS Local
Union No. 239 was held Wednesday even
ing at Stoner's Hall. After admitting sew
eral new members resolution was adopted
to close all union shops at IL o'clock Mon
day, in observance Of Washington's birth
day anniversary A committee was ap-
pointed to frame set Of bylaws.
The controversy between the Granite Cut
ters' National Union and contracting
granite company regarding the stone work
on the new custom house at Baltimore,
Md. now in the course of construction, has
been brought to close, and hereafter
none but union granite cutters Will be al
lowed on the structure
The trouble which has Just been settled
dates back to last July. when the union
cutters who were employed on the build
it is declared. non-union men furnished un-
der the padrone system. This action on
the part of the company attracted the at
tention of the Granite Cutters National
Union, and, as a result, an order was is
sued by the union prohibiting Its members
from handling granite furnished by the
firm The effect Of the orcer was felt in
this city, the company at that time having
a number Of contracts here. When the
granite arrived at the various buildings
here to which it was consigned. the union
cutters laid down their tools, refusing to
touch the stone.
The granite company had not anticipated
any such trouble as this, and, as a result,
negotiations were Immediately put on foot
looking to the adjudication OF the trouble
Progress was reported and about ten days
before Christmas the non-union workmen
were dismissed, and until recently work on
the building was at standstill.
Under the terms of the agreement, reached
a few days ago by the parties involved,
eight hours shall constitute days labor,
with a 1925 minimum wage scale for in
side work and $3.50 minimum wage scale for
outdoor work. All overtime work shall be
paid at time and half-time rate, except on
holidays, when the rate shall be double. The
foreman of the work shall be practical
granite cutter, and should either party 10
the agreement desire any change after
April 1. 1905, the date of expiration, three
months notice of such change shall be
given and If no notice of change is given,
the agreement snail remain operative hoAi
year to year.
1t is also set forth In the document that
contentious which may arise are to be re-
ferred to a commission of six members,
three to represent the cutters and three
the employer, and should the six, so con-
stituted, fail to agree, a seventh man shall
be selected and the conference board SO
constituted shall award final decision with
in seven days from the report Of conten-
ton. Pending the settlement of grievance
O.. dispute, 1t is mutually agreed that there
shall be no strike nor lockout nor suspen-
sion Of work.
1t is stated that work on the new GUS
tom house has been greatly delayed by the
labor dispute and the recent weather con-
ditions 1t is thought. however. that the
construction of the building will be re-
sumed, and pushed as rapidly as the gran
lite cutters with the usual number of quar-
rymen drillers. tool dressers and laborers.
can be obtained. In compliance with
request from the firm the union is making
an effort to get granite cutters to accept
positions on the building.