Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-15
THE EIGHT-H0UR BILLS
LABOR LEADERS CONFER WITH
HOUSE COMMITTEES MEMBERs
immigration Laws Aleo Discussed
Conference with Secretary oortel-
you-Business Considered.

The members Of the executive committee
OF the American Federation OF Labor call
ed at the Capitol this afternoon at o'clock
and had an extended conference with MEM
bers of the House committee on labor in
Guiding Chairman Gardner. The commit
tee was headed by President Samuel
Gompers. 1t was stated that the confer
ence was mainly in regard to the several
eight-hour law bills which have been intro
duced in the House this session and which
have been contemplated by the labor lead
ers. The subject Of immigration was also
talked of.
ARRANGEMENTS were made for a confer
ence of the labor officials with Secretary
Cortelyou this afternoon. The hour agreed
upon was o'clock, but at 2:3O President
Gompers' party had not arrived.
The Opening Session.
The quarterly session of the executive
council of the federation began early yes
terday morning. AS far as can be learned
the Miller controversy has not been thus
far discussed by the council 1t is expect
ed, however, that the case will be again
taken up. The last convention of the fed
GRAFTON, in Boston, Mass, instructed the
council to take steps to have President
Roosevelt reopen the case.
Should the Pres dent grant the request,
the executive council OF tne IeQeratlOn VIII
submit to him all evidence and documents
bearing on the case, which are held by
Local Union No. of the Brotherhood OF
Bookbinders. The convention further re-
quested the President that, upon the VERT
1cation of the charges, Foreman W. A.
Miller be dismissed from the government
service.
President Robert D. Barrett of the Book
binders Union, No. i, was at Typographical
Temple yesterday. and 1t Is understood he
conferred. with several members of the
council, hut the nature of the conferences
could not be learned. 1t is the prevailing
opinion that Mr.. Barrett will accompany
the executive council to the White House,
In the event the body decides to make a
verbal request of the President that the
Miller case be reopened.
The representatives of the various or
CARNATIONS affiliated with the federation
appeared before the council yesterday to
arrange conferences. A number of hear.
ings were given Immediately and others
were set for later in the session.
New York Controversy.
The controversy between the building
trades and the employers of New York city
was again brought to the attention of the
council President Gompers and Vice Presi-
dent James Duncan were instructed to
proceed to New York, at the conclusion of
the quarterly session, with view to bring
ing about q settlement.
President Gompers and Vice Presidents
Duncan and O'Connell and Secretary Nor
rison. all OF whom reside in this city, were
appointed committee to ascertain the cos.
of lot suitable for the erection of an
office building for the federation. The
erection Of an Office building for the ex-
elusive use of the federation has been con-
templated for some time by the officials.
The committee will carry out the instruc-
tons of the council and submit report at
the next meeting.
President Reynolds and a member of the
executive board of the Illinois Coal Miners
Union urged the council to withdraw the
charter issued to the Coal Hosting Engi-
neers and that the engineers become part
Of the United Mine Workers Of America
but the executive council deferred decision
until the representatives of the engineers
could be heard 4H