Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-02
An Extraordinary Conference.


ington in many respects is one of the most
extraordinary ever called in this in any
other city in the country. Represented in
the body are the general officers of prac
ticaliy all of the building trades, some OF
whom are affiliated with the American
Federation OF Labor and some rot. and
still others who are not connected With the
central labor unions throughout the c0un-
try. But in this meeting all lines have
been subordinated in united effort to
work out peaceful and lasting solution
TO the troubles which have grown up be-
tween the Ia boring men and their employers
in Washington.
At the brief morning session yesterday
temporary organization was effected, with
y. c. Sprague of the Pressmen's Union,
vice chairman of the committee of ten, as
temporary chairman and j. j. Purcell as
temporary secretary These officers We're
subsequently designated to act perfna-
nently. An address was made by Presi-
dent Gompers of the American Federation
of Labor, and after welcoming the dele
gates to the conference he entered into
discussion Of the labor situation in the
capital Washington is not a commercial
city he said, and he explained that the
wage earners are divided almost entirely
into two general classes-one the clerical
class. as represented largely by clerks in
he government departments, and the other
the mechanics and laborers in the great
trades Mr.. Gompers also spoke of the
serious effects upon the city which would
inevitably follow prolonged and bitter
struggle between capital and labor. lie
emphasized the need of peace and said q
general strike should be called only a
last resort, but II it is called he declared
the men must stand together and fight to
q finish
Secretary Morrison of the federation also
spoke briefly, laying much stress upon the
necessity for united action in whatever
course is adopted.
Other details of the local situation were
explained to the visiting international off
GERS by the committee of ten of the Contra!
Labor Union, and various phases of the
problem were discussed, the sense of the
meeting being finally reached in the unani-
nous adoption of motion by President
Bowen of the bricklayers that confer
ence be sought with the employers, and
that a letter inviting such a meeting be
written and delivered.
Copy Of Correspondence.
Secretary Purcell prepared the letter,
which was signed by all OF the union OFF,
GERS and which was delivered to Secretary
Hall in the Office of the Employers Asso-
citation this morning, as follows:
The undersigned international officers OF
the several building trades are now in cor
ference IN the city of Washington. The
object of the conference is to endeavor to
arrive at the proper solution Of the exist
ing controversy In the building industry
We therefore request your honorable body
TO appoint a committee to meet with US.
looking to the adjustment of the difficulty
'Inasmuch as our time Is limited, We ask
that you designate tomorrow, Friday, Au-
gust 2. for the conference.
Trusting that the above may meet with
your favorable consideration and action.
a hAy inn n N in
etc.
Appended to this communication was the
request that the reply should be addressed
TO William D. Huber, st. James Hotel this
city.
The following answer. addressed to Mr..
Huber and signed by Secretary Hall of the
EMPLOYERS Association, was sent out Of the
associations Office shortly before noon to-
day:
Your communication addressed to the
Employers Association of Washington ID.
c., has been received. and it will he turned
over To the meeting of Tie association TO be
held t&is evening
Anticipating a reply 10 their request. the
labor leaders assembled n Typographical
Temple again this morning. but the
swer:ng letter had not bcGn received at that
time. and adjournment was taken without
discussion cf other business
The Participants
The following International and local Of
ficers OF unions are participating In the
presen; conference:
David G. Clrland, president of Local No
2GS. and acting business agent OF the
brotherhood OF Painters and Decorators of
America: Harry Bosworih of the exe,ufive
committee of the Journeynren Stone Gut
:eTs' Association, Buffalo: Emmet l.. Adams
representing the Grand Lodge of Machin-
ISIS. Washington: W. ID. Huber. president
OF the Brotherhood of Carpenters; Michael
@ Sullivan of the Sheet Metal Workers
Union PittSburR. Organizer l. Plinh-
ers' Union. Chicago: J. J. Mccarthy, Soft