The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-11
TRADES-UNION CONFERENCE.
Discussion on the Relation of Trades
Unions to the Knights of Labor.
The Breach Between the Organizations Grows
Wider. and There Is No Hope of Agreement
at Present-A Sensational Circular.
Special to the Indianapolis Journa.

Special to the indianapolis Journal
COLUMBUS, O., Dec. 10-The trades union
conference met at $50 this morning. with Presi-
dent Mcbride in the chair. The delegates con-
tinued the discussion of their respective unions
and their relations to the knights of Labor
Some very serious charges in the eyes of the
delegates were made against the Knights. and
from their numbers it is evident that con.
ference committee can never adjust the differ
eIces
The committee appointed to confer with Mr.
Powderly's committee from the Knights
presented a written report. The report
stated that the Knights Of Labor committee
did not have full power to act. but could only
adjust minor grievances. and the committee
asked for instructions. The report was accepted
and the committee instructed to insist upon
settlement on the basis of the trades-union
treaty. 1t is evident that the breach between
the two organizations ia widening, and the work
of the conference committee indicates that the
differences will not be adjusted. The feeling
against the Knights grows more bitter and open
with every days session of the trades-unionists.
The results of this convention will, no doubt, be
a struggle for supremacy between the two organ
izations, which will result in the survival of the
fttess Trades unions will never be completely
destroyed, but, il beaten, will occupy a sub
ordinate position. tributary to the Knights of
Labor. On the other hand. should the trades
unions gain supremacy, the Knights of Labor
will be practically wiped out of existence.
The conference of trades unions resumed their
deliberations ibis afternoon. resolution was
adopted calling upon the delegates to the con-
vention to render financial assistance to the
fund for the erection of monument to the late
secretary. VIM. III. Foster
The following resolution was then adopted:
Resolved, That we demand that Congress pass a
compulsory education law, applicable to the District
of Columbia and the Territories.
A resolution to form third party was offered,
and after heated discussion was lost by vote
of Is to 8. The following substitute was then
offered and passed.
Whereas, This subject is which has, in the past,
been prolific source of dissenson and trouble in the
ranks of the workngmen. but happily the revolution
recently witnessed in the election contests of the
eral Substantially the remarkable and extraordinary
demonstrations make by the workingmen of New York,
Milwaukee. Chicago and other places-shows the
time has arrived when the working people should
decide upon the necessity of united action at the bal
otbox Independent of the existing political parties;
and,
subsection of the police force to the interests of cap
ital in enforcing upon their employees conditions
pulsve to free labor and liberty and the nefarious
work OF the Pinkerton detective agency is to be
stopped the workers must a greater share of
political power; therefore be it
Resolved, That this convention urge a most gener.
support of the independent political movement of
workngmen.
Such is the position of the conference on the
labor movement in politics This resolution was
opposed by many delegates. but after prolonged
discussion was adopted.
A resolution expressing sympathy for the con-
demned Anarchists and calling upon the judges
of the Supreme Court of Illinois to grant them
a new trial, was offered, and, after some discus
sion, referred to the committee on resolutions,
where it will remain.
The conference then adjourned until o'clock
this evening
The strained relations that exist between the
knights of Labor and the trades-unions is still
more apparent tonight. It is now evident
that an adjustment Of the differences between
the two organizations is impossible at present
Quite an excitement was stirred up among
the delegates to the trades union convention
tonight by the appearance of Sc
of the Cigar-makers Union by the executive
board of the Knights of Labor. One of these
circulars was handed President Strasser of the
Cigarmakers' Union, and he became very indig-
nant and excited over the matter. The circular
was issued last July, but has remained secret,
as intended, until to-day. 1t charges the officers
of the Cigar makers Union. among other
things. with being drunkards. and men
tions President @ strssses, Fourth Vice,
J. s. Kirshner, of Philadelphia, in particular
MIR. Gompers was seen tonight, and denounced
the circular as being malisiously false, and de-
signed to injure the reputation of the officers of
the union. He says: 1.-THE executive board has
invented that outrageous SANDER to injure as
among those who do not know US. think these
charges even If true, came in bad grace from
Powderly & Co."
He then charged Mr.. Powderly with betray-
ing the interests of the lahoring classes, and
mentioned the collar and cuff makers of Cohoes,
N. T., the clothing cutters, the Chicago beef
and pork butchers and the Southwestern rail
road strike as samples.
The federation had short session tonight
The report of the legislative committee was re-
ceived and adopted The report of the finance
committee was received and accepted and the
officers were instructed to turn over the affairs
to the new organization, "The American FEEDER
alton of Trades" and the federation of trades
and labor assemblies Of the United States and
Canada then adjourned sine die.
The conference Immediately met, and the
committee on resolutions reported A resolu-
ton indorsing the label of the United Hatters
was adopted. Another resolution adopted
calling upon the laboring men to indorse the la
Dor press; another was adopted offering the
walters and BARRIERS assistance in forming an
organization.
The committee on constitution began its re-
port which was not completed The name,
American Federation of Labor" has boon
adopted. The revenues of the organization are
to be derived from per capita tax of half
cent per member, payable monthly, which will
yield large revenue and allow the work to be
carried on. A declaration of principles was also
adopted The next meeting will be held in Bal
timore, beginning Doc 8, 1887 The new or
ganizatiou will meet tomorrow afternoon, and
the work will be completed in the evening.
The Rejection of Denny.
PITTsBURG, Dec. 10.-The rejection of the cre-
dantials of q Denny dalepate RI iha ,Tradas