Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-31
IN LABOR CIRCLES

a law during the present session Of Con-
gress. The officials of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor, who have spent much
time at the Capitol this week, are inclined
to be optimistic.
In conversation with a representative Of
The Star, Mr.. James Duncan, first vice
president Of the Federation, said:
I'VE are Of the opinion that the eight
hour bill will be brought up in the Senate
Immediately after the disposition of the
omnibus statehood bill. The eight-hour
measure in its amended form does not
appear to be so far-reaching as it did when
1t passed the House, but it is said by con-
stitutional lawyers to be in better shape.
and, as the working people of the country
as well as contractors favor such bill.
the provisions Of which are Of permanent
nature and which would not suffer by refer
ence to the United States Supreme Court,
our bill may therefore be considered
stronger at present than when it passed
the House.
ut is not the object of the working
people to ask or expect anything Of an
1mpracttcable or unreasonable nature, and
the scare which was sent out by the at
torneyS Of a few capitalistic institutions,
that the scope Of the bill included private
affairs and aimed at the liberty of citizens,
was simply undertaken to beget opposition
to the practical side of the bill. They
could not offer anything of logical nature
against the merits Of the act. 1t never was
the intention of the promoters of this legis-
lation that the bill should have reference
to any employment excepting government
work. and. placing the United States gov
eminent in the position of an employer.
working people and their friends, including
the legal profession. admit that the govern
ment has right to have its work done
upon an eight-hour basis, If Congress so
votes, as well as an individual citizen, in
%h4 of onrrfy~ of ~ n hnr n
have work performed according to an eight
hour schedule.
1.-THE working people Of the country look
upon the government in this sense as an
employer, and, memorializing for an eight
hour work day, they are acting to secure
an eight-hour day by or from individual
employers. The bill has had almost unani-
nous support in the House Of Representa-
tives in three sessions Of Congress, has been
favorably reported twice to the United
States Senate, and at the present time has
received great care at the hands of Senator
McComas and his colleagues on the COM
mittee of education and labor; besides it is
supported by a carefully prepared report.
covering the, history Of eight-hour 1egisla-
ton by the Congress Of the United States
since and including the first enforcement of
an eight-hour provision by President Grant
during his first term.
Few senators are better qualified to
speak with authority on the underlying
principles Of eight-hour legislation than Is
with the late President William Mckinley,
when the latter was an honored member OF
the House of Representatives, thoroughly
investigated and favorably acted on an
eight-hour measure. Senator McComas was
also very much in evidence in arranging the
necessary legislation for an eight-hour work
day in the government printing office, has
supported similar legislation in his own
state. He can be quoted as authority on
the merits or dement's of such measure"
The Bartenders' League, composed OF
members of Bartenders' Local Union, No.
rs, is experiencing some difficulty IN OBJ
tanning license for the establishment OF Its
club house at 905 E street northwest. Some
of the residents of that immediate section
raised protest against the location of the
midst and appealed to the District Com
missioners The matter Is now under in
vestigation and it is thought the authort-
ties will decide in favor Of the union work
erS.
The league is mutually beneficial body
1t was organized September last and in
the 10th Of the same month I'M
der the laws of the District Of Columbia.
1t is the purpose OF the pody 10 procure
work for its members and to succor them
and their families when in need and In
cases of sickness and death.
ARRANGEMENTS are being made by the
members of Washington Lodge No. 1913,
Association of Machin1sts, Tor
a grand masquerade ball. The function will
be held during the coming month, and If
first indications count for anything 1t will
be a grand success.
Messrs. Joseph Allen. NJ. P. Carrick and
Jacob Tasler, general officers OF the Brother
hood of Painters, Decorators and Paper.
hangers, were present at the last
meeting Of local Union No. 36S, and each
favored the local brotherhood members with
a talk reciting the conditions In this coun.
10 rnff
oficers informed the local craftsmen that
the brotherhood was about $1,000 strong
and steadily increasing
7 ,acal Union, No rs, visited Baltimore, Md,
last Sunday and succeeded in organizing
union Of the craft In that city.
ono ne the features Of the Forthcoming
ball of Local Union No. %. Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers, to be held about the
middle of next month, will be the electrical
display. A committee OF arrangements,
composed of George Neale, Harry Sherman
and Edward s. Nelson, has been appointed
by President Nothnagel, and the affair,
from an electrical standpoint, 1t is said, will
eclipse anything of the kind ever seen in
this city.
The members Of the International Asso-
cation Of Machinists residing in Chicago,
ILL., have adopted new tactics, and here
after. 1t Is SAID, Will enter lutO no agree
ment with individuals or firms. This prac-
tice among the union machinists has been
in vogue for some time, and it is declared to
work against the interests of the bread
winners The machinists of Chicago will In
the near future inaugurate new wage
scale demanding a per cent increase in
pay and a nine-hour day.
According to press dispatches. union
labor organizers are swarming to Pitts
burg. Pa, in pursuance of instructions re-
Gently issued by the American Federation
of Labor Despite the fact that labor lead
ers of national prominence believe that the
smoky city Is one of the best organized
cities in the country the officials of the
American Federation of Labor see an OPP
portunity for improvement and will take
advantage of 1t.
According to a small item In the official
organ Of the union painters. trouble is brew
ing in Pittsburg with regard to labor
unionism. The local members of the craft
are cognizant of the existing conditions In
that city and they believe that large
strike among the union painters of that
municipality will occur about March /;
unless the contractors recognize the power
of unionism and accede to a demand re-
Gently made by their union employees.
With view to aiding its unemployed
members. the Printers Union Of New York