Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-25
IN LABOR CIRCLES
90

President Samuel Gompers is receiving
many hundreds OF letters indorsing the atti-
tude of the American Federation OF Labor
In the field OF politics as stated In the re-
cent pronunciamento sent broadcast over
the country by that organization. These
letters are from labor bodies and leaders. as
wen as Individual workers
1t Is stated that the determination of the
federation to enter politics has caused the
administration oficiaIs. after winking at
the violation of this law for the past eleven
years, to vigorously enforce its provisions.
However this may be. the action of Presi-
dent Roosevelt is a clean victory for labor.
and is a vindication OF the stand taken by the
executive council of the federation when IL
appeared before Uncle Joe" Cannon.
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
and laid before that august parsonage the
Indictment of the public officials by the
labor movement The reception accorded
the representatives of labor was anything
but cordial, and the committee was cooliy
informed by the autocrat OF the House that
union labor was not the whole thing.
and dismissed the workingmen without CIV
ing them any satisfactory answer to their
petitions. 1t was then that the announce
ment was made by the labor men that
they would take their wrongs before the
deavor TO elect men to legislative positions
who are favorable TO labor. The action of
the administration shows that 1t has
wholesome respect for the organized Ia
Dor voters of the country. The eight-hour
law on government work will In the future
be observed
1t is said that In his campaign this fall
President Samuel Gompers, who viii lead
the forces of the American Federation OF
Labor, will fight the money power" with
its own weapons. He has issued an appeal
to the thousands of locals and the millions OF
men who are identified with the federation
to subscribe to the campaign fund. He
wants each local to chip in s. and each
man to give at least one dollar for the good
Of the cause this year.
II President Gompers receives a sub
stantial reply from each local and man
addressed, he will have fund in excess
of s2.000.OOO. but he does not expect that
such a large amount will be collected. He
and his associates. however, expect to have
a fund considerably larger than those OF
the republican or democratic congressional
committees
In his appeal for money to defeat rep
reeentatives in Congress who have op-
posed measures designed for the relief or
benefit of labor, President Gompers points
out that a successful battle cannot be
waged unless funds are forthcoming. He
explained that much money will be needed
for publicity work alone. In addition the
expenses of speakers and big rallies at
different points throughout the country
must be met.
President T. c. Parsons of Columbia
Typographical Union announces the ap-
pointment of the following committees. in
accordance with action of the union last
Sunday:
On monthly bulletin-F. C. Roberts, Harry
O'Donnell and Dexter 8. Hussey.
On unfair publications and non-union
goods-John B. Dickman, T. M Ring. Sam
De Nedrey T. Frank Hall and c. E. Cook.
On library books for the home-Miss
Teresa Mcdonald. Frank D. Smith and A.
W. Bowen.
The Trades Unonist says: The members
of the Old Soldiers Association of the G..
p O. enjoyed a trolley ride to Rockville
last Saturday, and on arrival there they
assembled in the grove listened to speeches.
enjoyed a basket picnic. renewed acQuaint-
ances and had a good time generally"
A special meeting of the Ex-Delegates'
Association of Columbia Typographical
Union was held last Sunday at 3 pm,
Typographical Temple. to consider report
of committee on proposed field day and
outing Mr. T. NJ. Ring is secretary Of
this association.
having an organization to protect their in
tertsts was the object of an entertainment
given last night in the hall at el0 street
northwest. Speeches were made by w.
- .
treson. Several songs were given by ]. M.
Richardson and T. w. Edwards. In ad-
dition to these features there was clog
dancing by several of the carpenters The
evening was concluded by serving refresh
ments.
"One of the most important questions
the labor unions of the coun-
try" says Luke Grant, lis the question of
strictly adhering to trade agreements after
they have been entered into with employ
ers. The Boot and Shoe Workers interna-
tional Union at it's recent convention In
Milwaukee took what Is considered as the
most far-reaching step in this direction yet
taken by any labor organization. Under
the amended constitution OF the Boot and
Shoe Workers Union any member going
on strike in violation of a contract must
pay fine of $40. The fine is automatically
imposed when the members walk out and
no appeal is provided for.
For a number of years employers have
been declaring that joint trade agreements
with unions are useless, as they are ire
Quently broken, and that as the unions are
not financially responsible, not being in
corporated, the employer has no redress.
The responsibility for breaking agreements
no matter which side has been to blame
the frequent strikes where contracts ex-
listed have tended to discredit the entire
Joint trade agreement system
Many employers who are strongly opposed
to making contracts with labor unions to-
day declare they would have no objectioh
were the unions incorporated so that they
would be financially liable In case they
failed TO carry out their agreements The
unions have almost unanimously opposed
the idea of incorporation. and their oppo-
sition has become more determined since
the famous Tan Vale decision OF the Brit
ish house of lords few years ago. through
which the treasury of the Amalgamated
Railway Servants was mulcted by rail-
road corporation.
Within the last two months. however, the
United Mine Workers and the Boot and
Shoe Workers have adopted a form of dis
cipline that is likely to have a much better
effect than Incorporation would have. Were
a union Incorporated and an employer sued
1t for damages in breach of promise con-
tract the judgment, If given, would be
against the union itself and the fine taken
from the treasury. This method would
have a tendency to disrupt the union, but
would do little toward teaching the indi-
vidual member his responsibility In the
matter of upholding agreements.
When the Illinois coal operators and the
coal miners made an agreement a few
weeks ago a clause was incorporated that
In the event of strike. in violation of the
contract. causing a shutdown every man
in the mine would have to pay "a fine of $40
The operator lie liable to fine of 800 for
causing a lockout. Since the agreement
became effective one strike has taken place.
but number of the men claimed that they
were not to blame and the matter Is now
in the hands of committee 10 determine
the responsibility. The officials of the
uoirerS In the district h0wever decIa 70 that