Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-19

department. of labor. No opposition to the
bill has developed thus far.
A report of strike at the headquarters
OF the American Federation OF Labor was
published in several cities in the west re-
Gently and has Just been denied BY Presi-
dent Samuel Gompers. II was said that
the stenographers. clerks and bookkeepers
had formed union. and before II
twenty-four hours old had won seven
hour day, Saturday haif-hoiiday and two
weeks vacation a year with pay. In
sponse to an inquiry President Gompers
pronpunces the statement untrue and
writes follows:
Permit me to say there Is absolutely no
foundation In truth in the statement that
there was ever a strike. any cause for a
strike or contemplation of q strike among
the stenographers and clerks in this office.
The stenographers. clerks and assistants
were formed into union by the organizer
of the American Federation OF Labor. and
the hours of labor were arranged so as To
provide seven and one-h alf-hour work
day for the first five days in the week. and
four and one-half hours Saturday. l
should say that prior TO this agreement the
arrangement in our Office was for eight
hours for five days in the week and five
hours on Saturday two weeks vacation
with salary and payment for all holida VS.
Inese same conditions now obtain under
agreement with the union. May / be per-
United TO add that the Original Item as
puoEsned IN Chicago, was unquestionabiy
given 10 the public fer its sensational ef-
feet, and the supposed Injurious result IL
might have upon the cause of labor were
strike in the Offices of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor To occur or even be mooted
or thought of The story is made out OF
the whole CLOTH"
Union printers Of Binghamton. Y Y have
secured an eght-ho workday and an in
crease in wages The agreement provides
for eight and one-half hours a day until
January /, 1906 and eight hours thereafter.
Chicago 1ll) local of the American Fed
Grafton of Musicians which is The second
largest In the country. has a membership
OF 1000 and controls all the professional
musicians in the city.
At the last meeting of stereotypers and
Electrotypers' Union of San Francisco
CAL II was decided to donate one cent neg
capita week for one year the fund to be
used for organizing the craft In Boston
Mass.
Every man in the employ OF the Wanda
ia railroad who has reached the age of
seventy years has retired on life pension
+ r. Farran. general organizer for tho
Retail Clerks International Protective As
soclation, who has been at work in Pits
burg for the past two weeks in the in
terest OF the organization. is receiving sat
lsfactory support Local Union No 1910
mas peen hrmly established and has opened
headquarters in room 21o of the Ferguson
block. Regular meetings are held on Mon
cay evenings. Much interest is being mani
rested IN the enorts to perfect the organi-
Zatlon in the Pittsburg district
The association was formed al n conven-
ton held in Detroit in 1890 At that time
there were but seven local unions which
was the strength OF the organized retail
clerks. The organization today has 1854
local unions, with a membership of about
oo,o0o. Less than two years ago the mem
bership was around 65.ooo, but like most of
the unions of a similar character il has
suffered with the decline of the organiZa-
ton boom.
The national headquarters are located in
Denver. John r. O'Bren. the national
president is a resident of Buffalo and
claims the distinction of representing the
largest union family in the country He
has seven brothers, and all of them arc
prominent in labor unions. each one in a
different craft. Max Morris of Denver is
general secretary and also fourth vice presi-
dent of the American Federation of Labor
which position he has held since 1898.
Official notices have been sent out by the
various companies of the United States
Steel Corporation. informing thousands of
workmen of an increase in wages. Ii is es-
timated that the increase will amount in
round figures to 100000. 1t is said that
those who VIII receive the increased pay
Will be the laborerS, skilled mill hands and
the class of mechanics now receiving mod
crate wages Agreements with tin plate.
sheet steel and other workers. which ex-
pire on June 80 next, will not be changed
at present. 1t is expected that higher wage
scales will go into effect in these depart
ments after the present agreements have
expired.
A complete reorganization of the Anal
gamated Association of Iron. Steel and
Tin Workers is being urged by several OF
the lodges. The principal plan suggested
provides for change in the name form
of government and method of arranging
wage scales for the various branches of
skilled labor employed in iron, steel and
tin plate mills. An unusual number of
recommends lions are made for changes in
the present system of electing officers. All
of these are 10 be considered at the thir-
tieth convention of the association, which
will open in Detroit on May >.
The Boot and Shoe Workers Union, by
a referendum vote, decided against the
proposition to hold a convention this year.
This action meets with the approval of the
general officers of the union. and in the cur
rent issue of the Journal Secretary Charles
l.. Baine makes the following comment: