Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-14
IN LABOR CIRCLES


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The fact that Mr.. Milford Spohn has been
placed at the head OF the Labor day cele-
bration committee by President John b.
Dickman Of the Central Labor Union IL
taken as an assurance that the observance
of the occasion will be an suspicious one.
Mr.. Spohn Is regarded as veteran. tried
and true. in the local army OF working
men. He Is known as the father of the
central body and has received many trib-
utes from his associates in recognition Of
his splendid services in behalf of organized
labor.
AS yet no definite Labor day plans have
been made. but meeting of the committee
will soon be called by Mr.. Spohn when the
preliminaries will be mapped out. Other
members of the Labor day committee are:
T. c. Fox, ]. L. Feeney. H. T. La Clair.
John G. Schmidt, ]. F. Mccarthy, Thomas
Peoples. L. Ehrlick, N. c. Sprague and J.
NJ. Heisley.
The dissolution of the Council of Build
ing Trades and the alliance of a number of
with the local Structural Building Trades
Alliance is regarded by the observant in
labor circles as presaging improved condi-
tons for the building trades in Washing
ton. 1t is said that in the past, particu-
larly since the formation of a local struc-
tural alliance, that the divided allegiance
OF the building trades precluded effective
harmonious action in furthering the general
interests of the building trades workmen
This fact. 1t Is stated, induced the most
prominent building organizations to deter
mine to get together" and maintain an
effective central body which would be rep
resentattve Of the local building trades
unions.
The Structural Building Trades Alliance
previous to the disintegration of the coun-
Gil, represented constituency, approxi-
mately, of $500 skilled workmen of what
Is termed the basic" trades, about so per
cent of the local organized workmen Of the
organizations the membership of which are
engaged in building construction, that are
classified as tributary trades" and are
excluded from direct representation in the
alllance. they are not reckoned In the total
of building tradesmen. 1t is stated, how
ever, that these tributary organizations
may be admitted to representation in the
alliance, an exemption from the require
ment OF the constitution of the organizat ton
having been granted by President Buch-
anan and Secretary Spencer There are
fourteen OF these local organizations, hav-
ing an aggregate membership of about
900, which, II admitted to the alliance
with the addition of the skilled trades for
merly allied in council, that body will In
clude all the local organizations of the
various branches Of the building industry
which refuses to affiliate and another
which is not eligible to membership.
While several local organiza tons were ca-
saseo IN strike to enforce the demand for
an increase of wages, and others had se-
cured an increase without contention the
employing stone cutters have reduced the
wages or the stone laborers twenty-five
Ill
meeting of the employers held June 2. when
1t was unanimously resolved, that the
wages to be paid stone-yard laborers and
iaoorers working with stone settlers, snail
effect June 5. 1905
Inc resolution was posted In the shops
OF the employers on the following Satur-
DAY, June 3, when the laborers refused to
accept the reduction, which resulted in a
lockout"
The men state that there had been no
contentbon with the employers as to wages
ana that they were not aware that the
employers were dissatisfied With the rate
OF wages paid during the last year, which
was two dollars per day of eight hours
They also state that the local Master Stone
Cutters Association will not confer with n
committee of their union, and that it is
not probable that the former rate of wages
Will be restored unless the cutters, employ
ed IN the various yards, supper. them In
their demand for the old rate.
1t Is stated that committee Of the Cen
trail Labor Union has the matter in charge
having been instructed to visi. the several
local organizations of stone cutters and if
possible, secure the moral support of the
membership.
The movement to organize an industrial
union antagonistic to the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor, is being vigorously OPP
posed by the union organizations through
out the country which affiliated with
that body. AS an evidence of the prevail
iC tnfI+ hot tI,,
the Texas State Federation OF Labor In
convention at Denison, refused to hear W.
h Leonard, representing the Western
Federal ton of Miners who requested that
he be granted the privilege of the floor
for the purpose of asking aid for the
miners of Colorado, and to explain the in
dustrial labor organization which is be-
ing promoted by the officers of the Western
Federation of Miners.
In defining the attitude of the Texas Fed
GRAFTON of Labor, a resolution was unani-
mously adopted, That none of The time of
organizations affiliated with the American
Federation of Labor should be devoted TO
hearing the arguments or pleas of repre-
sentatives of dual organiza tons of rep
resentatives of organizations antagolistic
to the American Federation of Labor or
that assistance should be given to orgaliZa-
lions that are attempting to form dual or
CARNATIONS to the American Federation of
Labor"
A resolution was also adopsed that the
action of the convention in the matter be
communicated to the headquarters OF every
international and national body affiliated
with the American Federation of Labor,
with the recommendation that similar ac-
ton be taken by all organizations when oc-
casions of this kind arise.
AS socialism is the basis of the proposed
industrial unon," the convention de-
clared that trades unions are formed for
business purposes and for no other. and
that any political matter of a partisan ma
ture, introduced, would tend to discord and
disintegration. Mr.. Leonard having stated
that he would denounce Samuel Gompers
and John Mitchell, the convention decided
that it had neither the time nor desire
to hear TRADE against any labor leader,
having the utmost confidence in Gompers
and Mitchell VINO have stood the test of
years and Of trials as have no other men
In the world of labor or in any walk Of
life, having proved true to our principles
and loyal to their constituents at all
times"
The convention, which has been called to
meet at Chicago, June 81, Is declared to be
for the purpose of forming dual organiza--
ton with the hope of securing the CO.
operation of disgruntled political
schemers."
The Iowa State Federation of Labor has
also taken a decided stand in the matter
nd racanflv racolyad. srTbat do hereby