Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-10
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
SOME COMMENT DENIED By
AUTHORITIES.

Complaint was made against the public
library at the regular weekly meeting Of
the Central Labor Union last night at Ty-
biographical Temple. The statement was
made that the library authorities are vio-
lating the eight-hour law by requiring the
bookbinders to work beyond the legal limit.
The secretary Of the central body was In
structed to notify the library management
that. unless It Immediately ceased from
working its bookbinders beyond the legal
limit. proceedings would be instituted
against those in authority for violation OF
the labor law. This action was taken at
the instigation Of the Bookbinders' Union,
several of whose members are employed
there.
Mr.. Bowerman's Statement.
George F. Bowerman librarian Of tho
public library. stated to a Star reporter
this morning that there was absolutely no
foundation for the charges preferred by the
Central Labor Union to the effect that tho
public library is violating the eight-hour
union law among bookbinders
Il was not surprised" he declared, ito
note In the report of last nights proceed
fngs of the Central Labor Union another
effort to place the library in false posi-
uon. l want to say emphatically that
those bookbfnders are not now and never
have been employed by the public library.
but are employed by Mr.. Anton Zichtl
1912 Pennsylvania avenue, who has a con-
tract for binding books for this library for
the fiscal year.
1T is chiefly matter OF convenience to
the library that the binding is done mere
rather than at Mr.. ZichtIs establishment,
wherein nine-hour day regularly pre-
walls.
why this charge that we are violating
the eight-hour labor law is made from
| nd = &C
1ll-advised, and unfruitful of good results.
We have a contract with Mr. Zichtl fol
bookbinding work, and this fact is gen.
orally understood. The statement that pro.
ceedings would be instituted against those
in authority for the alleged violation OF
the labor law has no application to the
Public Library nor its management.
An Old Question.
Referring to this alleged violation of the
eight hour law" 1t is stated at the District
building that official consideration was given
1t by the Commissioners nearly six months
ago. AT that time. in April last, the govern
Ing body of local labor, Chas. W. Winslow.
secretary, wrote to the Commissioners call
ing attention Ito the working of book
binders employed in the Washington public
library mere than eight hours per diem"
few days later the matter was referred
10 Librarian Bowerman and on the strength
OF his reply Dr. William Tindal secretary
~ ZIG boetld VI commissioners, wrote a let
ter to the Central Labor Union, which read
as follows:
referring to your communication OF
the 10Th instant, calling attention to the
alleged violation of the eight hour law in
the case of bookbinders employed in the
washington public library, the Commits
sioners direct me to inform you that the
librarian of said library reports that the
bookbinders in question are not employed
by the Washington public library, but are
employed by Anton Zichtl 1912 Pennsyl-
van1a avenue, who has a contract for bind
ing books for the library for the present
fiscal year" He further states that 1t is
chiefly matter of convenience to the IL
brary that this binding is done there rather
than at Mr.. Zichtl's home shop wherein
nine-hour day regularly prevails.
According to a statement made by Com
missioner Macfariand this morning. the
status of the matter remains the same to-
day as when this letter was written, and
that any grievance the Central Labor Union
may have does not lie with the library or
it's trustees.