Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-03
IN LABOR CIRCLES
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Samuel l.. GOmperS, president OF the
American Federal ton of Labor, was seen
yesterday afternoon by reporter for The
Star, for whom he answered the question:
what is the outlook for success in the
lines along which labor is working, during
the coming spring.
Without speaking in a very enthusiastic
tone the labor leader said
"Fair-things will brighten up as spring
comes. Building trades will become more
active then, as well as some other of those
industries that usually lie somewhat dor
mant during the winter"
Mr.. Gompers appeared to fully realize the
fact that the increase of business of any
kind in the country would benefit the work
ingman. AS he seemed to have finished
his statement In regard to the present. out
look, the reporter was about to put another
question, when Mr. Gompers asked:
what was the news-fn the morning pa
pers about the trouble between Japan and
Russian" fnrT,T+ .
The newspaper man told him what he
knew of the latestepha Sc of the situation.
but Mr.. Gompers wanted to look over the
press account himself. O..
II might say something about it, he re-
marked. rs
However, he changed his mind, on seeing
that the possibility of war appeared not to
be very great. ~ nv
do you think that labor in this country
would be benefited, bys active hosttlitfes IN
the far east, Mr.. Gompers 2'-t.,1sa ii, Ha.-z-
"Oh, there is no doubt, that there would
be reactionary good effect in this coun-
try-might give the men more work. l
mean. --- a. 80
While Mr.. Gompers had no hesitancy
about discussing the prospects for activity
in the Industries of the country in relation
to their benefit to labor, he old not have
much to say about the progress of the labor
movement against capital. He said he was
extremely busy. however, and when asked
the nature of his work enumerated few
things he had been doing lately or expects
to do in the near future, which told better
than a concise statement that his aims
are continually the same and that he Is I'M
firing in his efforts to secure them.
Il had hearing he said before the
House of Representatives committee on Ia
Dor this morning in the interest of the con-
Wet labor bill. We hope to see the govern
ment instruct it's officers not to purchase
any article produced by convicts, because
we believe it is unfair to the honest labor
ing man."
Gould you tell something of the line Of
argument you advanced in behalf of the
neasure?" he was asked.
mo. no. I'd rather not do that" he re-
marked, somewhat disturbed. IF there is
anything l dislike to do it is to repeat a
speech, or part OF one, that / have made
myself. You must excuse me from that
81 spoke to the lie Droit Park Citizens
Association last evening on the labor ques-
tion.' he continued. land especially on the
proposed convict labor bill now in Con-
gress.
Thursday the legislative committee of
the federation. composed of James F.
Grimes and Charles S. Nelson, will appear
with me before the House committee on la
Dor to argue in favor of the eight-hour
bill"
During the time he had been talking Mr.
Gompers had been eating a big red apple
AS he finished the last sentence he likewise
finished the apple. Then looking up from
his desk, where he had been gazing for the
last few minutes, he said:
"Now I'd like to stop talking and get
back to work.
Guard, who had stood near during the in
terview. and to whom he had given scrans
of dictation as matters occurred to his
mind in the course of his remarks
The secretary smiled at the mention of
work and showed the reporter out Mr.
Gompers turning around in his chair i'm
mediafely and starting to look over some
OF the hundreds of papers on his big desk
The most significant features of tbe 70
cent convention of the Pennsylvania state
Association of Building EXCHANGES at
Scranton was the revision of the constitu-
tlon Tne new constitution provides for
the appointment Of an executive COMMITTEES
OF nine with complete power to act for the
organization. A declaration of PRINCIPLES
was adopted In whiehslan open stand is
taken against the walking delegate or bust
ness agent. as he dis commonly known in
this part of the country
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The members Of : the local labor unions
VIII De interested to know that annual con-
ventions of various organizations during
the present year will be held as follows:
April IL, Ishpeming. Mich. United Min
eral Mine Workers. 10
Nav Cn1unnhnc Mn, 70
International Neutrality-suspicious.
May l, New York ,city, United Cloth Hat
and Cap Makers of the United States.
May 2. Trenton. NJ u n National Brother
hood of Operative Potters
First week in May, ST., Louis, Mo-. Broth
erhood Of Railway Expgessmen OF America
May 8. cincinnatbs Ohio. Amalgamated
Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of
May s. Buffalo. NJ. ~ VI Order Of Railroad
May 0. Rochester. N. Y, Hotel and Res
tanrant Employees International Alliance
and Bartenders International League Of
May TO- Cleveland. Ohio. Amalgamated
Association OF Iron. Steel and Tin Workers
May II. Niagara Falls. N. T.. Interna-
tional Brotherhood of Papermakers.
May 10. New York city. American Fedora
June. st. Louis. Mo-. International Asso-
citation Of Railway Clerks.
June I, St Marks. Ohio. Chainmakers'
National Union OF United States Of Ameri-
June 8. Boston. Mass. International La
dies Garment Workerss Union.
June ID. Danbury Conn, international
Brotherhood OF Tip Printers.
June Is. st. Louis Mo-. Ceramic. Mosaic
and Encaustic Tile LAYERS and Helpers, In
ternatiOnal Union.
June Il. st. Louis, NO.. United Brother
hood OF Leather Worker. ON Horse Goods
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