The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-24
LABOR PROTESTS
BEING IGNORED
Commissioners drilled for
Not Naming Union Man
AS Civic Delegate.
Speeches Made at Meeting
Urging Necessity of Ballot
in the District

1--WE are approaching rapidly that
epoch in our national history" declared
sam DeNedrey, secretary Of Central La
Dor Union. at a meeting OF that body
last night. when by reason OF the op-
preston resulting from the criminal
rich growing richer and the masses
growing poorer that the people viii rise
in their might and write another dec
laration of independence that will in
stantIy command the attention OF ma
lions and cause heartless, relentless
capitalistic money hogs OF the country
To stand up and take notice that the
people will no longer tamely submit 10
the unjust treatment that has charac-
terized corporations. national, State and
municipal officials Of the working peo-
pie.
Here in the District II We had the
privilege of suffrage by reason OF the
mower Of our ballots the 5000 union
working men OF this limited monarchy,
earning annually over S25.o1.OOO. would
be worthy of consideration at the hands
Of the triple mayoTalty as found IN our
present Commissioners.
Criticise Commissioners.
These sentiments were received with
enthusiasm. They were brought out
during the discussion of a preamble and
resolution severely criticising the Dis
+riet Commissioners in appointing dele
gates to the meeting of the National
Civic Federation to discuss trusts ana
combinations in which organized LABOR
had been ignored, and on which II had
n, representatives The resolution ex-
pressed scorn and contempt lot the
commissioners in their failure TO recos-
tie union labor on that delegation, de-
cIaring that its personnel was not in
syupathv with the interests Of organ
lied labor.
John H Brinkman. leader OF the
organized labor movement, speaking for
the adoption OF the resolutions which
were adopted without dissenting vote,
advocated universal suffrage Of men
and women in the District in the elec-
ton Of municipal officers. and the send
ing to Congress Of a Representative as
70 the neople what the fathers Of the
country fought and died for-the pTln-
c'ple of where there Il taNatlon there
should be representation in determining
that taxation.
Not American Citizens
He said that WITH the ballot in the
hands of the $500 union voters OF the
District, they would be an element with
which the District officials would have
10 reckon. He declared that the people
of the District are not American citi-
zens in any sense Of the word; deprived
of the rigat of suffrage they are forced
TO accept anything that the powers may
see III TO give them. pay taxes, and ask
no questions. ana a.e not citizens, but
subjects worse than those living under
monarchy.
mcfarland Replies.
Commissioner Mcfarland today said:
Il am sorry that the Central Labor
Union took offense. where none was
meant or given. The Commissioners in
: selecting delegates TO the National Civ
ic Federation convention on trusts and
combinations selected men entirely and
broadly representative Of the District OF
Columbia They were not to- be rep
resentatives Of trusts and combinations.
but of the entire community. The pres
idents OF the Board Of Trade and the
Chamber Of Commerce and the editors
of our newspapers. with other leaders
in civic and philanthropic undertakings
and some special students OF the sub
1ect, including the presidents of three
universities, are certainly representative
OF the District of Columbia, IL not rep
Tesentative of trusts and combinations.
ers itself a trust or combination whose
interests may be affected by the DELHI
erations OF the convention. II may very
wen appear before that convention to
advocate its interests. But IL Il IS a
trust or combination It should not have
a special representative in the delega-
ton from the District OF Columbia OF
course, its members. like all other citi-
Zens, as such. will be fully represented
by the District delegates"
West Not Opposed to Labor
Commissioner West. when asked for
an expression Of opinion on the action
OF Central Labor Union last night In
criucising the Commissioners. said that
II a committee from the Central Labor
Union had called upon him and asked
that certain representatives from or
ganiZed labor be placed on that delega-
ton he would have most cheerfully
recommended to the Board Of Commits
, Eioners that their selections De included
In the delegation.