Evening star., 1903-07-15

Indications and reports received In WASH
ington from all parts of the United states
warrant the prediction that the coming
Labor day will be celebrated in a manner
which bids fair to surpass any like demon
stration in the history OF organized labor
in this country. 1t is pointed out that
there are many reasons why the holiday
should be universally observed this year.
not only by the working men Of the coun-
try, but by the employers.
Foremost among the reasons assigned
Is that the past year has witnessed marked
changes, which have benefited the worker
and employer equally alike; that during
the last twelve months building operations
have almost doubled those of any two
previous years; that the majority of
this work has been in the erection OF
handsome and spacious structures of i'm
mense height, each costing a small for
tune; that these buildings have been erect
ed and all other work performed on a lib
eral schedule. the prevailing rate of wages
and the likelihood Of an increase In wages
being kept in mind by the contractors.
This has been especially true in the Dis
trict of Columbia. 1t Is conceded that in
proportion with cities OF like size and
population, Washington stands first in the
point Of building operations. 1t is true
that the year has been characterized as
one Of many labor controversies and dis
Putes, but in most instances the employers
and wOrkmen came to an amicable under
standing, which almost invariably favored
the latter.
Only those who are directly associated
with the local labor movement, it is stated,
are able to realize the Importance Of the
signing of the agreement providing for
the establishment Of the local board OF
arbitration. to which all future disputes
arising in the building trades Of Washing
ton as represented by the local Central
Labor Union will be presented for adjudi-
cation. And this is cited as another reason
for a general observance of Labor day.
Under this agreement. as has been indicat-
ed in the columns Of The Star before.
strikes by the artisan and lockouts by the
employer are practically abolished:
Although no program for Labor day has
been definitely agreed upon among the local
labor leaders. it is understood that the cele-
bration will be on a much larger and wider
scale than ever before. A special commit
tee of the Central Labor Union Is at work
framing a program. which, 1t Is thought,
will include in addition to the usual demon
stration by the working people, addresses
by local employers and by the foremost
labor leaders Of the country The feature
of the day from labor point Of view. will
of course be a mammoth parade, in which
every labor union in the District of Colum-
bia is expected to be represented. And it
Is also the hope of many that the employ
ers of Washington will bS in hne. The par
ticipation of employers is looked upon as
an innovation. which viii be conducive to
the permanency Of industrial peace and
harmony. = -.
Pittsburg and Chicago are especially
tive at this time. preparing for a universal
observance of Labor day; In the first
named city six hundred and fifty local labor
unions will be represented in the parade.
This representation, it is reported will
number $1,000 men and women. Special
committees have been selected and are now
endeavoring to learn the exact plans OF
each labor union in that city. In Chicago
the Federation of Labor is-a moving figure
in the preparation for the heliday. 1t is
estimated that at least Go.eoO toilers VIII
be In line. 1t Is more than probable that
the labor parades all over the country Will
take place during the forenoon and that the
afternoon will be given over to recreation
and rest The evening will be devoted to
mass meetings and special events.
AS the time for the reassembng Of Con-
gress grows nearer the minds of the labor
leaders of the country turn to the fram
ing Of measures favorable to organized
labor for presentation to that BODY. II
Is the opinion that organized labor was
not given due consideration by the House
Of Representatives and the Senate during
the last session. Many bills affecting the
relations of employer and employe were
drawn up and presented. Several passed
the House. but their passage in the Senate
was blocked by the omnibus statehood
bill.
All the measures which were thus side
tracked have, it IS understood, undergone
minor changes and will be resubmitted
along with many other bills The activity
in this connection by the labor leaders
Is explained by the prevailing bel1ef that
that body will convene much earlier than
usual, and it is the purpose of the organi-
cations to have their bills ready for presen-
tation soon as possible.
The officials of the American Federation
Of Labor, which organization represents
the major portion Of the working class of
the United States, as well as the entire
world, Is working assiduously on con-
gressional matters. Among the most I'M
portant measures which failed of passage
at the last session and which the officials
are most Interested in Is the efght-hour
law. This bill has long held the attention
OF the American people, the employees and
employers alike. 1t is designed for opera
tion in the matter Of government contracts.
1t provides that no workman shall be al
lowed to work more than eight hoers a
day for the government or on contracts let.
directly or indirectly. by the government.
AS the shipbuilding companies of the coun-
try receive the larger portion of such con-
tracts they will be specially affected should
the measure become law.
The measure in which the people OF the
District are more directly interested Is
the bill to limit the hours of service of
the members of the fire department of the
District of Columbia 1t is a well-known
fact that these men, not only In the Dis
trict but in most of the cities throughout
the United States. work longer hours than
does any else This bill has been In
troduced in Congress upon several occa-
sions, but without avail Representative
Sidney E. Mudd of Maryland Is the author
of the measure. 1t provides that here
after the period Of service of the members
of the fire department of the District of
Columbia shall not exceed twelve hours.
which shall be consecutive. in each calen-
dar day. except in cases Of extraordinary
emergency of public peril. and for which
service. not exceeding twelve shours in each
day. as aforesaid. they AshaH receive the
same pay or salary as is paid to them at
the time of the passagei of this act"
Among other important measures which
President Gompers of the AMERICAN Fed
Grafton Of Labor is desirotfs of having
enacted are those relative to child labor
and prison labor. During the past year
the legislatures of many states of the
Union have passed laws placing restric-
tions on the employment ofnchildren and
prohibiting the sale of prison-made goods
to the public at large. LCE q
Upon his retirement from t,the Office Of
president of the Central. LABOR Union re-
Tnb nbp IJo& arod