Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-14
IN LABOR OIRCLEc


The controversy between the American
Federation OF Labor and the Knights Of
Labor has wendell its way to the courts.
Wednesday afternoon the Southern Ex-
banded Metal Company, by which, 1t is
said. workmen who assert their allegiance
to the latter labor body are employed. In
stituted proceedings in equity in the Su-
preme Court Of the District of Columbia
against August F. Getz, Henry F. Getz and
Robert Portner. asking that they be re-
strained from interfering with that COM
pany's workmen in the performance Of
their work on contract of said company.
The proceedings are the outcome of a dis
pute which developed Tuesday of last week
IN the erection of the Portner Hotel Annex
at 18th and v streets between sixteen fire.
PROOF workers, who, it Is claimed, hold
cards OF the knights OF Labor, and work.
men anied aI inflated, or in sympathy with the
Central Labor Union, which is part Of
the American Federation of Labor. A strike
was declared, the workmen of the Central
ing alongside Of the fireproof workers who
claimed to be affiliated with the knights Of
Labor.
AS soon as August F. Getz Co., who
have the contract for constructing the an
mex were apprsed Of the situation the fire.
proofers were ordered off the structure, and
the matter was temporarily adjusted. An
eAort 10 arrive at permanent understand
ing was being made by the labor leaders
OF the American Federation Of Labor, and
August F. Getz & Co. and Robert Portner,
the owner Of the hotel annex, when the pro-
ceedings were instituted. A hearing will
De given the case In Judge Hagner's court
next thursday, when, it is expected, some
interesting points will be brought out.
American Federation of Labor. returned to
the city Thursday afternoon from Albany
~. T.. where he on Wednesday appeared
oeiore a committee Of the legislature of
Lewis bill providing for so-called arbitra-
ton of disputes arising between public serv-
Ice corporations and their employees.
A movement is on foot in this city to
organize Woman's Labor League of
america. A meeting will be held Thurs
Gay evening. Mr.. G. A. Pau, business
agen Zoo OF the Retail Clerks Local Union
no. Io1, ana Mr. Roche have been selected
chairman and secretary, respectively, Of
committee which has charge of the move
ment President Samuel Gompers of the
the meeting.
The principal object of the league is to
better the conditions among women toilers
and to further the use Of the label of
those directly interested to establish the
league along the same lines as those upon
which the Woman's Trades Union League
OF England is conducted.
The English league" said Mr.. Pfau. 'is
a federation of affiliated unions consisting
wholly or partly Of women members, the
present membership of such societies being
over $4,000. All secretaries Of affiliated
trades unions are ex-ofico members of the
league committee, on which are also a GER
tain number of members elected at the
annual meeting. The committee of council,
consisting Of leading trades unionists, ad-
vises the league, and its members are pres
ent at the annual meeting. The league Is
partly supported by contributions from a
body OF subscribers in sympathy with the
object Of trades unonism and partly by
the contributions of trades societies and af-
fliated trades Unions The affiliation fee for
trades unions is Is. Cd. per $50 women mem
bers. The fee has been purposely fixed as
low as possible in order not to exclude
small and poor societies from the adyan-
tages of belonging to the league The only
qualification needed is that the society ap-
plying for utilization shall be a genuine
trades union, and send out an annual bal
ance sheet, properly audited
1.-THE leagues policy is to organize women
in the same unions with men in the same
trade. Where this Is impracticable, it is
thought desirable that any woman's union
should be as closely connected with that
Of the men, If any exists in the trade.
1.-The league acts as the agent of women
trade unionists in making representations