The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-05-17

Dr dutcteQ.
employees MAY PROTEST.
The employees OF the National-Provi-
dence Worsted mills on Valley street met
yesterday and considered plans for pre-
senting a protest to the common council
against the change in the program of the
observance OF "Old Home Week." When
this celebration was first arranged II was
to occur the last week In July, at which
time the employees OF the American
Woolen company. probably numbering
close 70 10000 persons. will be enjoying a
two weeks vacation. The vacation begins
the last week in the month. but, accord
ing to the new plans OF the celebration
committee, the festival will be open a
week too early to be OF any benefit 10 this
large number OF citizens OF the Olney-
Vile section.
The matter was brought TO the atten-
tion OF the working people by the action
taken at the meeting Of the Olneyville
Business Mems association Wednesday,
when a committee was appointed TO see
that the festivities extended to Olneyville.
meeting OF the leaders OF the movement
among the mill workers will be held In
Fogarty's hall on Putnam street this
evening, when arrangements will be made
for presenting the protest TO the council.
The mill operatives say that II the matter
is not acted upon favorably they will ask
that part of the money raised for the
celebration be set aside for a similar affair
in the Olneyville business section OF the
city.
UNION BARRIERS MAKE DEMANDS.
A schedule OF working hours and salar-
les for BARRIERS in this city and the SUBJ
urbs was sent out last night by the Jour-
neymen BARRIERS International union, Lo-
cal No. 224 TO all the employers in the
union shops. The notices were in the form
OF printed letters. and although they do
not ask for a material change the hours
and pay OF the men are more definitely
fixed than heretofore. This new schedule
will go into effect on June 3.
The demands OF the BARRIERS are, in
short, summed UP in the following;
ITO employers In the first district (the
city proper) First district shops must
not be open for business before 7:30 a. m.
and close at D. m. on all week days ex-
cept on Saturday when they must not
open earlier than 1880 a. m. and close at
IL p. m. The minimum wages paid TO bar
bers shall be sl2 per week
ITO employers OF the second and third
districts (suburbs): All BARRIERS shops out
side OF the first district must not open
sooner than 1880 a. m. and close not later
than p. m. on all week days except Sat-
urdey. when shops must not open sooner
than 1880 a. m. and must close at II p. m
Every journeyman barber in the second
and third districts shall be given a half
day off every week."
In the same letter with the demands
was a request for answers with regard to
their acceptance, and also a statement OF
why the demands were made. Several en-
ployers have already stated that they ia
vor the new schedule and will abide by IL.
LABOR CONVENTION PLANNED.
At the meeting OF the executive
board of the Rhode Island Federation
Of Labor held I'm the Labor Temple
last evening, IL was decided TO call a
special convention of the federation on
June 9, to consider holding conven-
tions more often than once year. as
has been the custom. II this action is
carried out IL Will make this state the
only one In which the conventions come
more than once year. The plan has
and the final decision will be reached
at the special convention, called for
Sunday, June 2. at the Labor Temple.
The communication received from
Samuel Gompers. a copy of which ap-
peared In The News-Democrat OF Sat-
urday last, was read and discussed
The report framed by the legislative
committee was presented, discussed
and will he again presented TO the spe-
cial convention when IL convenes. The
conventions, under the proposed new
arrangements. will be held quarterly
The date of the coming convention was
Influenced by the fact that the week
following the Providence Typographi
cal union will hold a celebration. SINH
lar to an old home week, and the con-
vention Is proposed as an opening fea-
ture.
IT was announced that at various
times statements had been made that
certain members of the executive board
OF the Rhode Island A. +. OF l.. had
acted in partisan manner politically.
BY recent investigation by the Ameri-
Af ak otat
ments were found 10 be without
foundation.
REVISING CONSTITUTION.
The special committee having in
charge the revision OF the constitution
and bylaws OF the Central Labor body
hour last evening in Secretary Grace's
room, Labor Temple. Satisfactory
progress is being made with the work
and the committee are anxious to finish
their labors before convention week.
INSURANCE AGENTS MEET
There was well attended and
animated meeting Of the Providence
Insurance Agents held in No. 2 hall,
Labor Temple, last evening. The meet
ing was called principally 10 discuss
the international organization, which is
in course of formation by Temporary
President Charles Lynch. who was
here last week. IL was finally decided
that they would not affiliate with any
other body. (Which is a great mistake
Ed, but maintain an exclusive organ
ization OF their own confined 10 the
three locals. one in this city, one In
with a central body. There are other
branches in Massachusetts,. All the
members are agents OF the John Han
cock company.
Last week the men presented to the
company a request that the cut OF 5 per
cent on, certain commissions be re-
stored; giving the company Until until May
TO the effect that the matter would
be placed before the proper committee
of the board of directors as soon as
possible. and II is likely that further
action by the association will be de-
ferred until that time.