Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-25
IN LABOR CIRCLES
60

The difficulty growing out of the dismiss
sal OF the union musicians at the Lafayette
Opera House, together with the action of
President Roosevelt in connection there's
with. is an absorbing topic at present
commanding the attention of local trades
unionists. But for 1t interest in the local
labor situation would be stagnant It has
come up for further consideration in the
conference of the members of the WASH
tngton Theatrical Managers Association
and President KerngOod of Local Union.
No. 161. of the American Federation of
Musicians. upon the wage schedule of the
union saausitaans for the coming theatrical
season. and there Is every prospect that
the difficulty will be .amicably adjusted.
President Kerngood has held several con-
ferences recently with the managers and
another will be held tomorrow, relative to
the schedule for next season In connec-
ton with the difficulty at the Lafayette.
MT. kerngood has made known the attitude
or his organization in the matter He has
explained that. in reality, the unien does
not know Manager Ira J. Lamotte of the
;theater In the controversy, and THAT Ii is
practically at odds with none save Leader
victor Johnson. II is claimed that the diff
Guilty was caused by the union disciplining
Mr.. johnson for attempting to obtain the
services of union musicians at a rate lower
than the union scale. The union claims to
nave found Leader johnson guilty of the
charge and imposed fine of $780, The
imposition of the fine upon the leader, it is
Claimed. actually precipitated the difficulty
at the Lafayette Theater.
Ine charge OF making an effort to obtain
Inc services of union musicians at a lower
rate OF pay than the union schedule it is
explained further. was merely a local af-
Iafr, out that Leader Johnson violated a
national law of the American Federation of
MUSICIANS In playing with members of the
United States Marine Band number of
whom were secured to take places of union
musicians made vacant by the latter's dis
T1ssal. Leader Johnson. therefore. will
nave to reckon with the national organiza-
ton for the alleged latter offense
The local union musicians, as well as the
members of the American Federation of
Musicians throughout the United States,
are much encouraged by the action Of the
annual convention of the musicians in New
York last week in following up the order of
President Roosevelt that no member of an
enlisted band of the army or navy shall
take the places of union players made va
cant by reason Of strike or lockout with
the appropriation of 500 for the expense of
carrying on campaign for the passage by
Congress of bill to increase the pay of
the members of the United States Marine
Band and other enlisted bands, with the
provfsO tfat the members of such aggrega-
tons shall be prohibited from entering into
"
ing with civilian labor. The officials Of the
American Federation of Musicians have the
assurance of President Roosevelt that he is
favorable to such measure. The union
leaders declare his action in connection
with the difficulty at the Lafayette Theater
Is step in the right direction" and that
1t is clearly evident that he would be
pleased to bring to close the competition
between the unions and the Marine Band
and other enlisted musical organizations.
The members of the local union of
musicians were so gratified by the action OF
the annual convention of the national or
ganfzation in appropriating funds for the
purpose cited which will ultimately mean
better conditions for the civilian perform
ers, that they turned out en- masse Satur-
day evening at the railroad depot, upon the
return to the city of President William j.
Kerngood and Messrs. Crown and Donch,
delegates of the local to the annual meet
Ing. The returning delegates were placed
in carriages, and. with the entire member
ship of the union acting as band, were
escorted to the Saengerbund Hall on Z
street northwest, where elaborate feast
had been prepared for them. The musicians
made merry for several hours and many
speeches were delivered.
There is every probability that there will
be a general strike In the manufacturing
establishments of st. Louis. 1t Is learned
that every effort is being made. particu-
larry by the labor organizations interested,
to avert such disturbance in the EXPOSE
ton city, but from indications 1t Is seeming
ly inevitable.
The strike would particularly affect the
metal trades, and for that reason the pres
emit situation Is of concern to the Interna-
tienal Association of Machinists and the
International Union of Allied Metal
Mechanics and kindred labor organizations.
The announcement of the purpose of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company to inaugu-
rate the piece or premium system of work
qf 70 q in cifv eroQ tod C0rlnn "
element several Gays ago and furnished
basis for considerable correspondence be-
tween the international Association of Ma
chinists and the officials of the railway.
Upon the urgent request of the association,
1t is stated. the railway reconsidered its de-
cfson to establish the piece system, with
the result that the matter was amicably adj
justed.
The resident members of the executive
council of the American Federation of La
Dor. President Gompers. Vice President
Duncan, Vice President O'Conneil and Sec
rotary Morrison, held a meeting Monday
at headquarters, and named committee
of three to act as judges in connection with
the prize essays on THE Union Label"
The names Of the Judges will not be made
known until the aeceptances are received
from the persons chosen. The contest clos
ed about two weeks ago. President Com
pers Is In receipt of fifteen essays upon
label, each of which ranges from 1,200 to
1900 words. Three prizes will be awarded
$25 $40 and s. In gold. respectively.
As a reflection of the good derived by the
recent trip to Porto Rico of Samuel Com
pers, president of the American Federation
of Labor, to investigate the labor condi-
lions on the island, 1t is of concern to the
union workers to know that the fedora
tion has issued a number of charters week.
ly to newly organized unions in the new
possession of the United States. Charters
were yesterday issued to four new organi-
cations in Porto Rico--the Union Obrera
Federada, No. 1855. of Yabucao: Union de
Trabaj adores Agricolas, No 1857; Union
de Trabajadores Agricolas, No. 116S8 and
Union de Trabajadores Agricolas. No.
e11600 the latter three all of Arecibo.
President Gompers of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor, In commenting In the
official journal OF that organization upon
the labor situation in Colorado. gives to
Governor Peabody the sobriquet OF Colo
radios Nero" He asks that If the eonten-
ton of Governor Peabody is accurate, that
is that the latter can, at WILL declare
martial law. defy and set at naught the
civil law, even so far as to refuse to recog
nIze the writ OF habeas corpus. then why
not have the legislature clothe the state
official with absolute despotic authority?
Continuing, Mr.. Gompers says. in part:
AT least, then, the charge of usurpation
will not properly lie. Just imagine the
evayarpor of fha areat state of Colorado not