The Washington herald., 1909-03-30

These are strenuous days FOR union labor
at the National Capital Men and women
wage-earners OF the city and delegates
from all parts Of the country are engaged
In an enthusiastic campaign OF education
and organization Clergymen. society
women, members Of Congressional com
mittees. heads Of the government depart
ments- and the Commissioners Of the Dis
trtct are ali more or less involved in the
scenes being enacted.
The chronicle Of yesterdays happenings
includes the initial meeting of the Ma
tional Convention OF Union Label Trades.
an important session OF the Central Labor
Union. a hearing before the District Com
nissioners OF joint committee OF work
ingmen 70 protest against the use Of con-
vict labor IN the construction OF the new
refOrmatory and workhOuse, the recep-
tion by Assistant Secretary Of the Navy
Beekman Winthrop Of a delegation OF
machinists 10 urge the officers OF the de-
partment 70 take steps 20 prevent the
discharge Of employees Of the Navy Yard
increased activity among the members Of
the newly formed Federal Labor Union
or Women OF the Bureau OF Engraving
and Printing, and the consideration OF
Mr. scullin and his proposed national in
dustrial peace association BY the Pastors
Federation OF Washington CIsrgymen al
the Y NJ c. A Building
Union Label Trades COnvenes.
At an aI-day session in Typographical
Temple yesterday the first convention OF
the Union Label Trades was organized.
q "A s~ge ar--
ton OF union label department OF the
American Federation Of Labor on about
the same lines as the building trades
department There were slxty-nIne dele
gates present. representing as many
unions. and about 100000 men. who have
union cards. labels. or buttons
The convention was opened by Samuel
Gompers. president OF the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor. who said that the courts
OF the country. with rare exceptions had
always protected the union label from IN
fringement
The convention VIII be in session for
three days. and Il Is more than probable
that IL viii urge the adoption OF a uni
versal label 70 replace the many now in
use. Three women delegates attended
the meeting. and Il IS the purpose Of the
newly formed department 10 organize the
women. children, and other friends of
union labor and get them 20 pledge
themselves always 20 demand the label
on all things they purchase
One OF the best speeches OF the day
was made by Miss Annie c. Patterson.
president OF the Label Council Women s
Auxiliary. Of greater New York a dele
gate 10 the convention.
Labor Union Meeting Lively.
The meeting Of the Central Labor IN
ion last night was a lively affair.
Chairman F. c. Roberts. Of the label
committee. made his report on the action
OF the national convention. and outlined
its general plans. His short speech was
received with much applause. a letter
was read from President GOmpers. say
ing that Re was going 10 appoint a regu-
lar organizer for the District In the
past. the work Of organization IN this city
has been carried on voluntarily by dif-
ferent individuals or committees. but
from now on there will be a regular
salaried organizer. who WIZ have nothing
else 10 DO than 10 unite the worklngmen
Of the District. He has not yet been Sc
lected. but when he is chosen. he viii
probably be paid a salary equal 10 the
average earnings Of the trade al which
he works.
The question as 10 whether the grand
stand from which President Taft viewed
the inaugural parade was erected by
union labor was brought I'D and called
forth some very caustic remarks when
several members declared 81 was not.
The question was referred 20 a commit
tee Of the building trades for a report 10
be made at later meeting The rest OF
the evening was taken up in COnsidera-
ton OF minor changes in the constitution
Of the organization. Three women dele
gates 10 the Label convention visited the
meeting, ans one OF them. Miss Mary E.
Draer. president Of the Women's Trade
Union League, Of New York, made an
address. Her words were greeted with
great applause.
Protest to Commissioners.
A joint committee. representing the
building trades and mechanics council
and the Central Labor Union. attended a
hearing yesterday afternoon before the
District Commissioners TO protest against
the employment OF convict labor in the
construction Of the proposed reformatory
and workhouse. Commissioner NIacfar-
land assured them that the prisoners
would be used only IN clearing ground
and in erecting the temporary buildings.
All the permanent structures. he said.
would undoubtedly be put up By skilled
laborers. According 20 the report made
last night 70 the Central Labor Union. his
assurances seemed to satisfy the ioint
committee
Assistant Secretary Beekman winthrop
yesterday afternoon received lanes
O'Connell, president OF the Interna tional
Association Of Machih- Is, and Emmett L.
Adams, president Of the Federal Lodge
Of Machinists. and for an hour discussed
with them the conditions IN the Washing
ton Navy Yard. As a result OF the con
ference, il is probable that the number OF
men 70 be discharged viii be materially
decreased, and there Is stii hope among
the navy yard employees that by arrang-
ing the time OF annual leave while work
Is slack. II will not he necessary 10 dis
charge any OF them.
Secretary Winthrop assured the delega-
tiOn that he would do all he could 70 look
out FOR the interest Of the men. It IS ex-
pected that within the next month or two
thare will be considerable work to do at
the yard in connection with the armlng
OF new ships now IN course OF construc-
ton
WOmen's Union Framing Rules.
The members of the newly organized
Federal Labor Union, formed for the
purpose Of ameliorating the conditions OF
the women employees Of the Bureau Of
Engraving and Printing are working
hard 10 complete their constitution. which
shey expect 10 have ready for adoption
at their next meeting There Is a per
sistsnt rumor In labor circles that a dele
cation OF society women OF Washington