Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-02
Central Body Organized.


Central Body Organized.
Notwithstanding such unfavorable local
conditions, the Central Labor Union on
tered upon its mission with the declared
purpose to create and foster a fraternal
and cooperative relationship of all whose
interests are allied and to act in unison
promptly and decisively, upon all matters
involving the welfare and progress of affiIi
ated and friendly organizations 1t was
also the declared object of the central body
to unite the various bona fide labor or
carnations OF the city and vicinity and as
slst In the formation Of unions where none
exist. SO that brotherhood may be formed
for the defense of the rights and the protec-
ton OF the interests of the laboring mas
ses.'
1.-The organization having passed the
ninth milestone on its declared mission it
may be well to ascertain to what extent
that mission has been fulfilled Looking
backward through these years, we observe
the organization at its BIRTH confronted
menacingly, with a struggled line Of dis
cordant organizations regarding the prfnci-
pies enunciated by the American Fedora
ton OF Labor as rank heresy and national
craft affiltation high treason. OF that
struggled, discordant line some have passed
to the limbo of forgetfulness, unwept I'M
honored and unsung' while Others yielding
to the Irresistible force of changed local
conditions, have accepted the faith of those
who believe that the final and complete
success OF organized labor depends upon
the unifcation and Intelligent earnest CO.
operation Of all workers beneath the ban
ner of a common cause So in the COM
paratively short period since the formation
of the Central Labor Union, through the
agency of that body, every local organiZa-
ton having a national body is AFFILIATED
Herewith. Under the old 'dispensati ton
forty organizations, good, bad and indiffer-
ent, was the greatest number ever attained
and of these but 25 per cent were allied
in their respective international or national
organizations. At present there are
eighty-two local unions, all having ma
tional affiliations. Thus. in the field of
organization, much has been accomplished
far in excess Of any previous period. From
dissenting factions and contentious dual
bodies cohesive, harmonious whole has
10000 of the most efficient craftsmen in the
city. This is an increase since 1896 of more
than 100 per cent in the number of organi-
cations and individuals. But this substan-
tial Increase is not the full measure of
what has been accomplished. With a due
regard for the rights of others, while zeal
ouSly guarding the interests of the workers
in relations with the employer, public conf
dence and respect has been secured.
Matters pregnant with serious results
through committees of the central body
have been amicably and satisfactorily
adjusted and In many instances wise
counsel has prevailed to secure industrial
peace. Cancellation and arbitration being a
tenet Of the organization, 1t advises a re-
sort to peaceable means to obtain desired
ends. With a knowledge of local. condi-
lions prior to the organization of the Cen
trail Labor Union. and a survey of the i'm
proved conditions of the present the wis
dom Of organizing that body is evident
The formation of central body composed
exclusively Of trades union organizations
had never been attempted in the local field
before. Fifteen years had passed since the
American Federation of Labor had declared
for the unity of labor as the only means
by which the workers can secure the rights
to which they are entitled; labor through
out the country was responsive to the call
a new era for labor had dawned and yet
the labor of the District groped-aimlessy
in the shadows. The organization of the
Central Labor Union was q response to the
call of the federation; a departure from the
old to the new way of progress Let
ask: How has it performed its mission to
the present? Let present industrial condi-
tons answer"
Committees in Charge.
The committees of the Central Labor
Union in general charge of the celebration
are:
On arrangements-Milford Spohn, chair
man; John G. Schmidt, secretary; N C.
Sprague, John Weber. ]. M. Heisley, F. j.
McKenna, H. T. LeClaff ]. B. Dickman, ].
F. Mccarthy, Dan Lahey, Thos. Peoples,
L. B. Diggins.
Executive committee Milford Spohn,
chairman; ]. F. McVeigh, Ed. Stevens, Geo.
Malone, Martin Hellmuth.
Finance committee-John G. Schmidt,
chairman: VIM. NJ. Lewis, j. H Brahler,
John Weber. Louis Merkel, J. F. Braden-
geyer, Hugh D. Digney. H. Beckett e. II.
Meyer, P. Hahn, r. g. M. Ross, ]. w. Con-
sidine.
Committee on grounds-John B. Dickman,
chairman; J. M. Heisley. e. l.. Adams, H.
w. Templar, ]. L. Feeney, G. A Malone,
J. D. Bland, M. Smelling, Elmer Johnson.
Chas. Davis
Labor Day Journal committee-R. e.
O'Brien. chairman; Lawrence Mills, John
]. O'Brien, ]. B. Cornwall.
The organizations affiliated with the Gen.
trail Labor Union whose members will con-
trih 70 c1fcc Of the hin, I.ah day