Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-22
IN LABOR CIRCLES
GO

1t Is probable that an effort will be made
by the legislative committee of the Central
Labor Union, during the coming session of
Congress, to secure legislation which will
provide for the protection of the life and
limb of employees, and definitely determine
the liability of the employer for injuries of
workmen while in his service. 1t is said
that inquiry to ascertain the legal respon-
sibilty for the accidental death of a work
man, several months ago who at the time
was employed on the construction of a
building in this CITY, has developed the
fact that there is no statute law applicable
in such cases in the District. The case re-
ferred to was the death of a workman
caused by being struck by detached der
rick block which fell from the height of
several stores.
1t is said that there is a local building
regulation which requires contractor or
builder to securely cover the floors of
building while in course of construction,
the intent of which is to secure workmen
from injury, but that the regulation $
more honored in the breach than in the
observance
Experienced members of the build ng
trades generally agree that the erection of
high steel frame structures has largely in
creased the danger of serious accidents and
that the regulation should be strictly en-
forced.
1t is said, however, that in cases of acct
dent, evidently the result of breach of
the regulation, it would be of no force in
suit for the recovery of damages, as in such
cases the common law applies in the Dis
trict. The liability of the employer for in
juries of employees is stated as a rule of
he law that an employer is ordinarily LA
Die in damages to his employee who sus-
tains an injury through the employers
negligence. Such negligence may consist
in the doing of something by the employee
which. in the exercise of ordinary care and
prudence, he ought not to have done, or in
the omission of any duty or precaution
which a prudent, careful man would or
ought TO have taken. This general rule Is,
however, so qualified by reQu rements and
exceptions that it is frequently very diff
cult, In a suit for damages. to fix the la
oility. Then again the master as he is
termed by the law, is relieved of all re-
sponsiblity for injuries of an employe If
he uses due diligence in the selection of
nishes them with suitable means to per-
form the services in which he employs
them: the rule being that he is not answer
able to one of his servants for an injury
received in consequence Of the care.eSSneSs
or negligence of another while both en-
gagged in the same service.
Various attempts have been made by
judges and text writer's to lay down some
rule or formula by which 10 determine what
servants of a common master may said to
be fellow-servants assuming the risk OF
each others negligence The rules and def
nitions are said to be faulty and of little
practical value by reason of their being too
general and comprehensive in terms. The
principal limitation contended for on the
general rule In regard to fellow-servants
that there is such a servant as vice princi-
pal, who takes the place of the master, has
further tended to confuse the old law, and
makes 1t desirable that 1t should be substi-
tuted by statute law which will be definite
in terms and which will be unincumbered
with the legal rubbish of centuries
1t Is stated that the employers liability
act of the state of New York is more salts
factory to the labor people than the statute
of any other state and that the proposed
bill which will apply to the District will
include many of the features of that law
It is reported that there is a matter of
contention between Local Union No X
which was the refusal of an organization of
the building trades, recently, to obey
sympathetic strike order from the board of
governors of the local branch of the Struc-
tural Building Trades Alliance The cause
of the trouble, It is stated is the employ
ment of number of non-union Interior
marble workers by Miller Co. of Phila-
delphia, who have the contract for the in
terror marble finishing at the Times build
Ing. 1t is stated by members of the local
union of setters that the men who are en-
ployed, and who were brought from Phila-
delphia by the contractors, claim to he
members Of a National Settlers Associa-
ton. which is a dual organization composed
principally of suspended members Of the
international" This fact being brought
to the attention OF the Local Structural
Building Trades Alliance ON complaint of
the cutters local organization a general
walk-out was ordered for last Friday at
noon. The strike or walk-out. however, did
not occur for the reason stated that the
Nationals" and "Internationals' have been
working together In PHILADELPHIA and at q
meeting Of the carpenters on the Thursday
preceding the Friday for which the strike
was called 1t was decided to advise the
members OF Local No. to work with the
Nationals" This the local cutters refused
to do and the work Of marble setting in the
building is being done by settlers who are
regarded as non-union men by the local or
ganization.
It Is stated that the matter is now nen8-
ing with the hoard OF governors of the ALI
ance: In the meantime the Nationals have
organised a-local union of settlers and claim
recognition as union men.
Hodcarriers' Union. No. 81, has decided to
sena pul TWO delegates to the fourth an
nual convention of the International Hodcnr-
riers and Building Laborers' Union of
America. which will be held In Labor Tenn
pie hall, 70 Hotel street, Utica, N, Y. be-
ginning January 8, 1905
The union decided to send hit two renre.
sentatives. owing to the demands made on
its treasury for the past two years.
The election of the two delegates will BIO
O. SPseia. ofuSf VI business at the meeting
on MONDAY, December 4, 1905, at 0 o'clock
pm. AT the same time nominations of off,
GERS for the ensuing year will be made
All members are requested to be present.
Delegates to the fourth annual convention
OF the Master Plumbers Association of the
Atlantic coast, to be held at Wilmington
Del, have been named by the local asso-
citation as follows: Charles Il. Barrick. Jo-
seph r. Quinter. p. G, schafer. Charles r.
Burke. Harry r. Suit. Joseph McGorick,
alternates D. g. Williamson Joseph 81
Garner, William Shields, Samuel Artx, r.
o. May and L. J. Mangen. The officers, w q
D. Nolan, e. ]. Hannah. william Conradis,
J; G. Darnail and w. J, Hutchinson. viii
Delegate D. F. Manning OF Washington,
.. c., who represents the Retail Clerks In-3
fefnztfUnal Ass0cfatiun ut the convention
sof the American Federation Of Labor at
F1ttsburE. e said e have made his marx