The Washington times., 1904-01-17

tons. both as to wages and hours
Crafts that are working the shortest
hours are receiving the highest rate of
pay per day. With the wageworkers
thoroughly organized in their respec-
tive crafts and caIlings. earnestly work
ing for their betterment. there will be
but little difficulty experienced TO Sc
cure the adoption by Legislatures OF
legislation that will assist the unions In
establishing the conditions for which
they are struggling. Wageworkers can
secure the conditions they desire, pro-
vided they work as a unit toward that
end and use such means as they have
at their command They should work
persistently and perfect the orgsniza-
ton of their craft: they should also use
their vote intelligently. and see that
those who are antagonistic and opposed
to the establishment of the conditions
they desire should be Disseminated
against when they are candidates for
election TO public Office which will place
them in a position 70 work against the
interests of labor organizations. while
exercising the prerogatives of the Office
to which they have been elected by the
vote of the people
James Duncan, Granite Cutter.
James Duncan. national secretary
treasurer Of the Granite Cutters Ma
tional Union, and first vice president of
the American Federation of Labor, was
born in Kincardineshire, Scotland, July
3. 1851. On completing his apprentice
ship. he Joined the New York branch
of the Granite Cutters National Union
being first recording secretary Of that
organization. which was organized in the
spring of 1891. Soon thereafter he moved
to Philadelphia and filed the position Of
secretary of the branch Of his union in
that city He was present and partici-
pated in the Pennsylvania State labor
convention in 1882. which before adj
jOurning nominated Tom Armsurong. Of
Pittsburg. and T. V. Powderly. Of Scran-
ton. for governor and lieutenant COVER
nor of that state Some years there
after he moved 70 Richmonl, Va. and
later on to Baltimore. Md. in both of
which cities he was selected for the DO
sition OF secretary Of his local union. He
represented his national union in the
Columbus, Ohio, convention OF the
Trade and Labor Unions of the United
States and Canada, in 1856. which form
ed at that time and place the Ameri-
can Federation OF Labor. and in recent
years he and President Gompers Of the
American Federation of Labor. were the
the only two delegates participating IN
the American Federation Of Labor con-
ventiOns who were present at its forrna-
ton in Columbus. In 1892. he started a
local paper in Baltimore. but the times
were paniclSy and although IL did much
good during It's one year of existence to
ward cementing the scattered fragments
Of unionism which were then finally
emerging from the decay of the knights
Of Labor there was not sufficient sun
port TO warrant continuance.
Second Vice President, A. +. of L.
In 1894 Duncan was elected second vice
president of the American Federation OF
Labor at Denver. Col. In which conven-
ton he represented the Baltimore CON
trail body. and for several years he was
annually reelected. until the Louisville
convention, where he became first vice
president. Prior TO 1896 Mr. Duncan had
been seven consecutive terms secretary
of the Baltimore Federation of Labor
and four terms its president In 1895 he
was for a time president pro tenn. of the
A. f. of l.. owing TO the illness OF Pres
ident Mcbride. and received the thanks
OF the following convention in New York
city for the manner in which he con-
Quoted the duties OF that office. In the
same year he was elected national sec
rctary-treasurer of his craft organiza-
ion. the Granite cutters National
Union. which position he still holds. Al
The time of his election his Union was