Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-20
I'm LABOR CIRCLES
cSS

At this time all signs point to the re-
sumption of open shop hostilities in this
city a few weeks hence when the building
season opens IL is evident that both
sides OF the controversy have been
Strengthening their forces for the fray
during the winter months.
On the side OF the organized working
men the recent formation Of the building
trades department OF the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor indicates that organized
la Dor will put forth its best efforts against
the widespread open shop movement. The
convention at which the building trades
section or department was organized was
held in this city. The delegates from
many states pledged themselves To resist
TO their uttermost the rising tide of open
shopism.' as one of the number ex-
pressed il.
On the side of the employers equally
strong determination is Snown IL continue
the open shop at all haZa rds The recent
joint convention of the Builders Exchange
OF Baltimore with the Employers As
ISOLATION OF the Building Trades of the
District of Columbia is regarded as a most
significant event. The joint meeting was
held at the rooms OF the local Employers
Association. 1E:3 street. and an inter
state association of employers was
formed
Similar combinations are said 10 be form
ing in the states. SO that the outlook for
the coming building season SENS to be hat
organized Tabor will be met by organized
employers. and then will come the tug OF
war.
In this connection 1t is noted that
Patrick Mahoney of New York recently
visited Baltimore and is expected 10 come
here soon for the purpose of forming I'm
dependent unions of mechanics of the
-, l,,~~- 4
no secret Of the fact that the ".indepen-
dent unionsts'' are in full sympathy with
the open shop movement and will work
nine or ten hours day if necessary. Ma
honeys assistant. Chicago bricklayer
named o Br1en. declares that many indie
pendent unions are being formed among
men who are not in accord with organ
lied labor and its leaders. and who are
encouraged by recent injunction deci-
siOns of the courts.
In the meantime the union organizers
said to be following the directions Of
President Samuel Gompers of the y. F.
of L.. and are working overtime in re-
cruiting their ranks.
l.. S. Sears has been seated in the CEN
trail body as a delegate from the book
binders. and Thomas McNeilly will rep
resent the tile layers in a similar capacity.
Thomas A. Davis, at one time mem
this city. has been appointed state labor
inspector by. Gov. WILSON, of Kentucky
says James Monroe Kreiter in the Trades
Cnionist
The first time in history that the British
public ever asked parliament for laws to
protect women and children was in the
year 1900. after an epidemic of ever
among the underground workers. The
protection which parliament accorded was
to restrict the hours of labor for children
to twelve. and to set the age at nine
years. when child might he. employed.
This action was the real beginning of Or
ganized protest on the part of the English
unions against established customs.
The German government has sent to the
federal council. for it's approval. an inn
portant measure to be laid before the
reichstag reducing and limiting the hours
of labor for females in factories and work
shops. and in other particulars approach
ing the proposals of the Berne conven-
ton. The maximum hours Tor females
are to be reduced from eleven to ten. and
all employment Of females is TO be forbid
den which interferes with their night S
rest. The bill also provides for the reg
ulation of home industries in such way
that numerous existing abuses will be
remedied.
Sam DeNedrey declares that the cause
of trades uniOnism can be logically de-
Tended upon grounds of Christian fra
ternity we'll of public policy. Strong
language may be necessary in presenting
its claims. but Incorporate and violent
words are wasted in its behalf. Its up
building influence i'm relation to society
is becoming more widely recognized every
day, and its defenders have less excuse
than formerly for indulging in verbal py-
rotechnics.'
Indianapolis unionists have hit upon a
good scheme to arouse an interest in the
local movement. They called a meeting
to be attended solely by presidents and
secretaries of local unions. to act in a
sort of advisory capacity to the Central
Labor Union. The first meeting was a
success, and plans were considered to
strengthen the organiza tons. to enforce
certain boycotts and other important de-
tails Other meetings will be held in the
future.
On account of the financial situation 100
iaborers who used the pick and shovel at
the Hoosier quarries at Bedford Ind. had
their wages cut from II TO 12la cents an
hour. The angry men. il is sal id. marched
TO the machine shop and had Two and
half inches cut from their shovels to
meet the corresponding reduction in
wages. They say short money. short
shoVels.'
Internal strife het uaen fac.iops T., Tho