Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-24
IN LABOR CIRCLES

Believing that additional strength can
be gained by concentration, the American
of Labor in session at Toronto
approved a report made by the committee
on adjustment. The committee recon-
mended a plan for the amalgamation of
the International Association of Car
Workers and the brotherhood of Rail
way Car Men. The latter organization.
which has "A membership OF 10000 men.
and winch is anxious for the amalgama-
tior, is not affiliated with the federation.
The former organization, which is al
ready affiliated, is less anxious. The
recommendation of the committee pro
vded that representatives of the two
unions should meet 10 arrange terms OF
that IL no agreement could
be reached the executive council OF the
federation should lay down the terms OF
the amalgamation. and that the eNecu-
tive committee should issue n charter to
the amalgamated organization. The rep
resentatives of the affiliated organization
objected to the recommendation on tn"
ground that il implied the revocation OF
its charter contrary TO the constitution.
In reply Vice President O'Connell said
that the situation was so critical thai,
where differences were not too great.
somebody had to insist on dual organize
tons getting together for the protection
of all. A delegate moved that time limit
should be set for the carrying out OF the
amalgamation. In regard to this Presi-
dent Gompers reminded the delegate that
a great deal of business had been referred
TO the executive.
And we are facing circumstances.
concluded President Gompers. that may
prevent the contamination of this bust
ness.
The amendment was defeated and the
recommendation was carried by a vote
of 12,1S9 in favor and 1877 against.
The carpenters of the District are in
tercsted in the action of the a. +. l.. in
connection with tho dual organizations OF
woodworkers-the brotherhood and ANAL
gamated association. By a vote of lilo"
to l, 73S the convention adopted the recon-
mendation of the aEalgamation of the
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners and the Amalgamated WOODWORK
ers' Association. Both bodies are affiliated
with the federation. but the latter Is the
much smaller organization. The amalSa-
m. lion will mean the cancellation OF the
charter Of the smaller body.
The convention adopted a recommends
ton Of the committee on adjustment, by
which the Iron holders Union is given
jurisdiction over brass moulders as Wen
as molders of other metals. This action
was strenuously opposed by the Metal
Polishers Union, which at the present
time has between five and nine hundred
brass molders in its membership, ana Il
heated debate followed, in which good
deal of ill-feeling was shown The con-
vcntion, however, gave a big majority in
favor of the iron molderS.
The federation adopted another reso-
luton recommending the amalgamatfon
of the Machinists' Union and the Elevator
Constructors Union. Before the question
came up. however. the convention had
listened for some time to heated de-
bate in regard to the dispute between
these two unions in Chicago. In the dis
cussion the charge of strike-breaking was
tossed backward and forward between the
representatives of the two unions. AS as
serted in the discussion, while the ele-
vator constructors were on strike against
the Otis Elevator Company the Machin-
lists Union allowed its men to take the
places of the strikers. The committee
on adjustment recommended that the eN-
ecutive council should investigate the
matter, and that if the charges were
found to be borne out the machinists
should be withdrawn.
According to the thirteenth bennlal
report Of the bureau of labor statistics
of California, extracts of which are re-
published in a bulletin issued by the De-
partment of Commerce and Labor. there
were approximately 5000 Japanese III
California in September. 1908. 1t is stated
that the JapS showed the tendency to IN
crease as a factor in all lines OF Iabor
throughout the state, especially in the
larger centers Of population. The Chi
nese population also seems to be gradu-
ally leaving the agricultural fields and
turning toward the cities and towns.
The Colorado labor report states that
from the returns received to inquiries
addressed to each of the labor orGaniza-
tons in the state there have been COM
piled for 10 organizations that reported
figures relating to membership. wages
per day, hours worked per day and
months worked per year. The member
fl,a ant
beers approximately 1900. The hours
worked per day are reported as eight by
thirty-three unions, AS nine by fifteen
unions. as twelve by five unions, aud
thirteen by one union, as seven by three
unions, and as five by three unions