Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-23

country is conferred in the quarterly meet
ing of the executive council Of the Amert-
can Federation Of Labor, now In progress
at Typographical Temple, on g street
northwest. AS this session OF the council
will be the final one before the federation
convenes in annual session in Boston,
Mass, November o. the deliberations at
tract more than the ordinary attention
The Miller controversy holds first place
in point of interest. The developments
since yesterday will be found elsewhere in
The Star. The work OF the council thus
far has been of the routine order. The ap-
plication of President John Mulholland of
the International Association for the revo-
cation of the charter of the International
Association of Machinists. on the ground
that the latter body. at Its last convention
in Milwaukee. extended Its constitution to
such an extent as to invade the jurisdiction
of the metal mechanics, has caused con-
siderable comment in labor circles. notwith-
standing the fact that the matter Is In fair
condition of settlement.
Under the original charter issued to the
metal mechanics. 1t is stated. they were
known as the Bicycle Workers Interna-
tional Union. and 1t was generally under
stood that they should work on bicycles OK
clusive1y. Several years ago. 1t Is de-
clared, the mechanics had the name OF their
organization changed and since that date
have claimed everything from peg-leg
ferrule maker to a planer In machine
shop. The machinists have membership
of 10000. while the mechanics have a fol-
lowing numbering about 10000.
One Of the most important matters yet to
come before the executive council for dis
position Is the complaint OF the Interna-
tional Association Of Machinists against
the Westinghouse Machine and Electrical
Company Of Pittsburg. Some time ago. 1t
is stated. the Pittsburg Manufacturers As
ternational Association Of Machinists. in
which 1t was set forth that employees OF
every member of the association should
work only nine hours day, and should re-
ceive an Increase Of III per cent in pay.
AS the proprtetors of the Westinghouse
company are now members Of the manufac-
turers' association an attempt was made
by the machinists' organization to reach an
individual agreement with that company on
the same basis as that with the manufac-
turers' association. All attempts to this
end. 1t is learned. were without avail, and
as a result the 500 union ,machinists Of the
Westinghouse plants were called out on
strike ~
SO far as known PresidaDt james O'Con-
nell Of the International Association of
Machinists has received no reply to a let
ter which was sent to President George
Westinghouse Of the firm relative to the
demands of the strikers The Westing-
house company has the contract for the in
stallation of all electrical tappliances, ma
chinery and motive powerLin al the build
lngs at the St Louis exposition
In awarding the contracts for all work,
supplies. etc. incident to the exposition
President f. R. Francis aid the other off,
Gals of the exposition arranged that such
contracts should go to firms and establish
ments which are in sympathy with the
mi s1.A
Plttsburg developed since, the letting of the
contracts, and for that reason It L. pointed
out. the officials Of THE exposition are NOT
responsible for the present state Of affairs
In the event that no agreement is reached
between the International Association of
Machinists and the Westinghouse COM
pany, it Is understood heavy pressure will
be brought to bear in connection with the
fulfilment of the firms contract at ST.
Louis. and at the same time President
Francis of the exposition will be called
upon to repudiate or recognize organized
labor. The labor leaders, 1t Is understood.
have no desire to delay the work of erect
ing the buildings of the exposition but are
preparing to cope with the situation, and
should 1t be found necessary to resort to
stringent measures. the International Asso-
citation OF Machinists, 1t Is said will have
all the information obtainable bearing on
the dispute.
Another matter which is important to the
musical element of organized labor is the
between the American FEEDER
alton of Musicians and the Marine Band.
This matter. 1t is said, is also likely to
come up before the council at it's present
session. The federation musicians claim
that by being allowed to accept private en-
the members of the Marine
Band compete with the civil musicians and
for that reason desire that the privileges
of the members of the band be curtailed
The matters which the federation council
expect to present to Congress will, 1t is
hnl Ilrh ha of oP ha
bers. AS the fifty eighth session Of Con-
gress and the American Federation of La
Dor convene on the same day it Ia recog-
nized that 1t VIII be necessary to frame
all bills, intended for submission to Con
gress, at. this session of the council
According to official information received
in this city the expenses of the arbitration
commissioners in the Alabama mining dis
putes over wages aggregate $4,000. which
sum will be borne equally by the parties
to the controversies An itemized account
of the expenses follows: Judge Gray.
$4,000: the other four arbitrator at 5000
each. 5000; DIR. Neill recorder, 500; stem
ographers 81. $50; incidental expenses. $3.50.
The American Federation of Labor, 1t is
said. are in receipt of information from the
Brotherhood of Railway Expressmen OF
America to the effect that the Adams Ex-
press Company has dismissed employees be-
cause of their utilization and activity with
the labor movement.
A local union of gilders was perfected last
evening at meeting Of the workmen OF
that calling. held at 416 10th street north
west. Mr. e. e. Hancock, president Of the
Local Union, No. 1863 Brotherhood of Paint
ers. Decorators and Paperhangers, was in
strumental in bringing the men together
and presided at last evenings meeting.
Not content with organizing the toilers OF
the great cities of the country the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor recently tackled
the task Of perfecting labor organize lions
among the farmers. The wages of farm
hands are very low in nearly all parts or
the country. 1t Is said. and, to remedy this
no "a
Reports as to the organizations Of farm
hands unions come from Indiana.
The counties in which the efforts have
been most successful are Knex, Daviess,
Martin. Pike. Dubois, LAWRENCE, Orange.
Crawford. Perry. Gibson, ,oPosey, Wander
burg and Warrick. forming Il. corner in
Indiana and comprising to
some extent the territory In Which farm
wages have always been exceedingly low.
One reason why the movement has sue
ceeded in this locality better than in others
is that coal mining is one Of the industries
of the section, and the Organizers were
men selected from this class and for years
have been in touch with farm hands.
Than too the una goo nPtfl, iISi,or, Nox,o