Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-18

tion come to our shores not only will they
neip 10 pear down the conditions of the
toiiers OF our country. but will afford the
TeHeI OF the conditions obtaining In the
countries which they left; in other words,
the awful economic conditions obtaining
In those countries, through tyranny and
mlsrule, are bolstered up and given a
striction of immigration INTO our country
OBTAINED these people would remain in
their own countries and compel changes
own conditions in their own homes; there
by contributing to the uplifting Of the
entire human family"
President Gompers calls attention to the
trust laws lay the hidden purpose to attack
the organizations of labor. We are all
familiar with the so-called Sherman anti
trust law, and we are also aware of the
sons ever indicted were a number of work.
men who sought to protect their interests
against an opponent, and that under the
pretense of it's provisions and the so-called
interstate commerce law the federal courts
have issued the many injunctions enjoining
Workmen from doing those things for which
there Is absolutely no prohibition in the
laws, and the doing of which is In no wise
at variance or In conflict with the Consti-
tuition or any of the laws Of our country.
1t Is because we have detected in the vari-
Gus proposed bills ostensibly to restrict or
govern the trusts and other corporations
OF capital. the insidious purpose to attack
the trade unions. which, by the way, have
no semblance to the trusts. that we have
urged in all measures of this character the
following clause:
Nothing herein shall be so construed az
apply to the organizations of wage-earners
having for their object the regulation of
wages. hours and conditions of employ
ment.'
with one exception this proposed clause
has always disclosed the real purpose which
the proposers had in introducing their So
called antitrust bills both in the federal
Congress and state legislatures; for when
ever this exempt1ng clause was submitted
the proposers were unmasked and abandon
ed their bills. The exception to which ref
erence is made Is the state of Texas, WHERE
In the last session Of its legislature. So
called antitrust bill was introduced. The
amendment eXempting the unions from the
operations of the bill was proposed, but not
adopted. The assurance was given by the
advocates of the bill, and the opinion was
rendered by the attorney general of the
state, that under no circumstances could
the provisions Of that bill be interpreted
to apply to organized labor; and yet, with
IN a few weeks after its enactment, the
first who were dragged into court under its
provisions were the members of organized
labor in the state.
Labors opponents are subtle and know
that the work of the trusts and other COM
blrat1ons of capital are done by the few:
that their operations are secretiye while
on the other hand the actions of organized
labor, even If only by reason of the large
numbers, must Of necessity be open and
above board and susceptible to the interpre
tation or the misinterpretations of the
friend or foe as the case may be.
organized labor and its members are
iaw-abiding. They ask no immunity from
me law. They ask, and have a right %
demand. that there shall be accorded to
them the constitutional right of equality
before the law"
A report has been received in this city
to the effect that Secretary Owen Miiler
OF ST Louis and Mr.. John Hamerstrom of
this city, delegates, respectively. of the
American Feredation Of Musicians and the
International Association of Machinists to
the annual convention of the American
Federation of Labor are ill in Boston.
Representative William ]. Wynn, a MEM
Der of Congress from the fifth California
district, was guest of honor at a recent
meeting Of the Washington Lodge of the
Information Association of Machinists
Mr.. Wynn is union macninist and, with
Representative Edward ]. Livernash, also
OF california, was elected to the House
ticket. His desk in the House, on the OPEN
ing day OF the session, was decorated with
huge floral piece in the shape of the in
sigma Of the machinists, the gift Of the
local lodge.
Owing to the absence from the city Of the
officials Of the American Federation of
Labor, nothing can be learned as to what
action President Roosevelt has taken in the
controversy between the United States Ma
rine Band and the American Federation of
Musicians. All papers bearing on the con-
tention together with full explanation of
the dispute, were presented to the Presi-
dent through Secretary Moody recently by
Secretary Owen Miller of the musicians.
After suspension Of operations for sew
-
pathetic strike Of the union settlers, the
work Of installing the marble settings etc.
in Stoneleigh Court, Secretary Hays apart
ment house, at the corner of Connecticut
avenue and l. street, has been resumed. The
resumption of this work at that structure
is the result Of a signed agreement entered
into by Mr.. James Parsons, the contractor,
and the officials Of the national organiza-
ton of marble settlers. The strike against
marble firms which furnish the marble Is
still in force, however.
It was expected that the work at Stone
leigh Court would be resumed several weeks
ago. At that time the president of the set
tiers visited Washington and conferred with
Mr.. Parsons. 1t was agreed that If Mr..
Parsons would write letter to the marble
firms suggesting that the dispute be sub
mitted to arbitration the strike would be
suspended pending the decision Of the arbi-
stood that Notwithstanding the possible re-
fusal Of the employers to receive the sug-
gestion the union settlers should complete
their work at the apartment house.
Mr.. Parsons complied with the wishes OF
the national president. but when the date
for the resumption of work arrived, none Of
the settlers put in an appearance. Further
correspondence led to another conference
between Mr.. Parsons and the president OF
the settlers, at which Mr.. Parsons agreed
to pay his settlers 81 extra per day, pro-
vided they would return to work imme-
diately. Under this agreement the settlers
returned to work several days ago.
The union bricklayers and electrical
workers of New York have submitted to ar
bitration the dispute as to which organiza-
ton is entitled to the work of cutting holes
in walls or ceilings through which electric
wires pass. The brieklayers, it is said have
been doing such work for several years.
The Mormon Church and the labor unions
of Salt Lake City are arrayed against each
other The fight Is to compel the church
to recognize organized labor. The first
action in that direction was taken by the
union printers recently. 1t was agreed
that the official organ of the Mormon
Church should be declared unfair and all
local newspapers, fortud len to exchange
matrices or type with the publication. The
Mormon Church has Likewise forbidden any
member of it's fold to Join the unions.