Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-04

ly satisfactory to both employer and en-
ploye in those localities where it is observ-
ed. and 1t is probable that it will become
general in the near future, particularly in
the large towns and cities.
The election of officers of the Central
Labor Union will occur at the meeting of
that body next Monday evening. Not
much interest as yet has been shown in
the event, as 1t is. probable that there will
be no serious opposition to the reelection
OF the present officers. 1t is stated that
respective Offices in a very satisfactory
manner, and 1t is likely they will be re-
elected without opposition.
The proceedings of the Bricklayers and
Masons' International Union. which will
convene at San Francisco Cal, next Mon
day. January g. will be regarded with un-
usuai interest by the membership through
out the country. Several matters of ma
tional Importance to the craft will be con-
sidered and probably disposed of. Among
these is the establishment of a national
nome nome for aged and dependent bricklayers.
rms proposition has been pending in the
annual conventions of the craft for a
number of years, but no definite action was
taken, though 1t is said a sentiment has
grown with the membership favorable to
the scheme. and it is very probable that
some dennite action will be taken at the
forthcoming convention, and the PROPOSE
tion Will be submitted to a referendum vote
of the subordinate unions during the pres
ent year. The local union of brioklayers
has gone on record as favoring the promo
sition and the delegates to the convention
have been instructed to support the meas
ure
Another question of general interest
which will be considered by the convention
VIII be that of adopting the referendum
system as 1t applies to the enactment of
the laws of the International organization
and the election of general officers. This
proposition was last year submitted to
referendum vote of the subordinate
unions and was approved by a large ma
1ority Of the membership 1t is said that
the convention held at Trenton, N j., last
January tabled the matter and declared
lor continuance of the prevailing method
OF the formulation of craft law and the
election of general officers by delegate vote
In convention. 1t is stated that the mem
bership Is generally dissatisfied with the
summary disposal of the matter by the
Trenton convention and during the past
year number of local organizations have
protested against what they regard, as the
Illegal action of the convention, and many
oeiegates to the San Francisco convention
viii go instructed to bring the matter to
the attention of that body and urge
that ways and means be devised by
which the system can be put in operation
II possible, during the present year
The current issue of the Bricklayer and
Mason, the official journal of the organiza-
ton, in referring to the question saws the
coming convention cannot under any pre-
tense ignore this matter THE rank and file
have declared. and IN the most emphatic
way, that they will have the referendum"
The government printing office calendar
Tor l90o has made its appearance says
the Trades Unionist, land as a work of art
1t is beauty" AS a souvenir it is entitled
to place among the many depicting the
grandeur of government buildings, the pic
an nanti naIl E,a
one of the new printing office
There has been considerable discussion
among labor leaders about the bill intro
duced in Congress by Representative Adams
of Pennsylvania, by request, which is de-
signed to regulate by novel means the en-
ployment of labor. The bill provides that
any person or company EMPLOYING Journey
men mechanics, laborers, clerks or other
help, shall give preference to American citi-
zens and residents of the vicinity in which
the work is to be done; that no employer
snail have the right to discharge an en-
ploye for petty cause, and that any en-
ployer who refuses, without cause, to give
work to citizen of the vicinity in which
the employer lives shall pay damages equal
to the amount of wages which would have
been earned by the worker who was re-
fused employment.
1t is stated that the United Typothetae
of America is at present accommodating a
defense fund in order that the eight-hour
day enforcement may be combatted. 1t is
hoped by the employers to gather together
at least $500, 600.
A call has been issued for a delegate con-
vention of the Journeymen Tailors' Union
of America to be held at Bloomington, ILL.,.
Monday, February 6. 1t will be the first
convention of this body in fifteen years.
The Citizens Alliance of Fresno, Cal,
had severe jolt one day last week, says
the Kern Union Labor Journal. The secre-
tary had been instructed to procure ap-
plfcation blanks. There was not a nom
union printer in the town. and if there is
anything a printer delights in, it is seeing
the label on his work. When the order
was handed in to the printer the secretary
of the alliance did not specify that the la
bel be left off, SO, of course the printer
used it. Then things began to happen.
Course of Child Labor is the title of
circular which has been ordered printed
to be distributed broadcast at the instiga-
ton of Senator Penrose of Pennsylvania. 1t
is said, with view of working up senti
ment in favor of the act proposed by Phila-
delphia trades unions for the purpose of
shortening the hours of women, and raising
the age limit of children. The circular
deals with the inadequacy of the present
laws.
The validity of the eight-hour ordinance
for public work in the city of Milwaukee
courts, so to furnish a precedent for
other cities. The A. F. of L. will make the
case.
An act recently passed by the house of
representatives of Rhode Island prescribes
fine of $3.50 to $500, or Imprisonment from
three to six months, or both, against any
employer or corporation attempting to pre-
vent working people from belonging to a
labor organization as condition of new
or continued employment.
The National Alliance of Bill Posters and
Billers of America, which held it's annual
convention at Pittsburg several days ago. is
one of the newer national unions which has
made good progress in the last year or
two. 1t was formed at a convention held
In Chicago in December 1902, and at it's
inception it embraced thirteen locals, with
a membership of l, 200. At the present time
it has thirty-five local unions affiliated
with a membership of approximately 5000,
which means about 65 per cent of the bill
posters of the country.
The right of labor union to expel a
member without permitting him to be pres
ent when charges are preferred against
him has been denied by Justice Scott of