Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-27
IN LABOR CIRCLES


Opposition to the passage by Congress
of the so-called master builders license
bill is not only manifested by the labor
unions but several Of the citizens asso-
Citations have also gone on record against
the measure. 1t is expected that the lndl-
vidual unions will follow the lead of the
central body and memorabilia the Senate
and House against the bill.
It is pointed out that should the master
builders license bill become a law the
small builders will be crowded out of bust
ness and individual house owners, not
outstanding they may be expert carpen-
ters by trade, will be adjudged guilty of
crime should they erect any small out
building on their premises or repair their
stables or OuthouSeS.
Sam DeNedrey characteriZes the bill as
IAN attempt to create building trust in
the District by foisting grinding monOp-
| oily upon its people,"
! Members of the Building Trades Council
| say resolutions will be adopted requesting
the defeat OF the bill when the council
| meets again. The workingmen appear to
be much worked up over the matter.
In view of the near approach of the
| Tooth anniversary of the birth of Abra-
ham Lincoln labor editors are publishing
| the wartime President, showing his deep
| feeling of sympathy for the working peo-
| pie Editor Holman of the Bakers
| Journal presents the following:
Labor is prior to and Independent of
capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor
| Capital could never have existed if labor
| had not first existed. Labor is the superior
| of capital and deserves much the more con-
| sideration. From the first annual mes
| sage of President Lincoln.
THANK God, we have system of labor
where there can be a strike. Whatever
the pressure, there is point where the
workingman may stop.'-Speech at Hart
| ford. 1860, referring to the New England
shoeworkers' great strike.
Il am glad to see that system of labor
| prevails in New England under which the
laborers can strike when they want to-
| like the system which let's a man
| quit when he wants to and wish it might
| prevail everywhere. Speech in New Ha-
| ven, Conn.,. March g. 1860
Il hold that while man exists it is his
| duty to improve not only his own condi-
| ton, but to assist in ameliorating the con-
dition of mankind. Speech at Cincinnati
| Ohio, February r. 1861.
President Samuel Gompers and Secre-
| tary Frank Morrison of the American
Federation of Labor have promu gat ed
! the following Lincoln day proclamation
| to labor bodies in all parts of the United
States:
Friday, February - 1909, will occur
the one hundredth anniversary of the
birth of Abra ham Lincoln. In all the
history of our republic no man lived who,
in himself and in his work. more COM
petely embodied and typified the en-
nohing aspirations and ideals of human
justice and human freedom. No man
ever loved his felow-men more than he
None had a better knowledge or deeper
sympathy with the struggles and hopes
of the toilers.
I'VE were asked, and gladly gave.
support to a movement to make his birth
place a perpetual mecca of all who loved
, liberty and humanity. 1t Is expected that
countrywide fitting celebration be had
upon the centennial anniversary of Lin
coins birth. The celebration is yet in
indefinite form.
I'VE recommend that Friday. February
II, 1909, the centennial of the birth of the
revered and martyred Lincoln, wherever
possible, be made holiday by all labor.
THAT we urge upon Congress and the
several states that that day be declared
legal holiday.
THAT the officers of the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor be authorized to be duly
represented in any national celebration
which may be inaugurated or which they
may initiate. so that the day and the
memory of the advent and services of this
great and good man may be fttingly OBJ
served and impressed upon the hearts and
consclences of our people.
The commissioner of labor of New
York has been investigating bake shops,
cook shops and the canning industry in
the Empire state. Referring to the latter
| he says in his report, just issued:
The commissioner reports serious diff
Guilty, however. in enforcing the law in
the canning industry fruits and vege-
tables). Prosecutions in this industry for
a number of glazing violations of the law
relating to women and children proved
almost a waste of time says the COM
missioner, owing either to the local preju-
dice of court or jury in favor of the cam
ner, or to the effect of the opinion of for
mer Attorney General Mayer. that the
employment of young children in sheds
connected with canneries is not Illegal.
The experience of the past season. con-
cludes the report on this subject, has
brought to light a situation which is in
tolerable' and which demands thorough
consideration with view to a remedy. so
that the obligation to obey statute law
may be enforced without discrimination.
A dispatch from Racine. Wis. says:
"A new employees benefit association of
the j. l. Case Threshng Machine Com
pany employees has been launched to pro-
vide members with an income when sick
or disabled and to pay their families in
case of death. The Case company con-
tributes $1,000. and more as the list OF
members grows. and will keep the fund
safely. paying per cent interest. The
assessments are to be per cent of the
employees wages.
Indiana has the headquarters for ten in
ternationa organizations: Barbers brick
layers, carpenters. locomotive fremen.
miners, painters and decorators. reed and
rattan workers. sawsmiths, teamsters and
typographical unions. OF these OrganiZa-
tions three-the reed and rattan workers
locomotive firemen and bricklayers' unions
are not affiliated with the American
Federation of Labor
Word comes from Chicago that District
Assembly No. .. Knights of Labor. is
sending out circulars to all labor and re-
form organizations urging them to unite
politically in order to cali a halt on the
issuance of injunctions. Judge Wrights
sentences of Gompers. Mitchell and Nor
rison are termed menace to the consti-
tutional right of free speech and a free
press.
San Francisco-A campaign is to be
started in behalf of the women employed
as clerks In stores. with view to obtain
ing better wages and conditions for them.
MOHAMMEDAN FUNERAL.