Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-08
TOLLS WAGES AND VOTES
THE FEDERATION BFGINS ITS
SESSION AT COLUMBUS.

A Belief Among Trades Union wen that
Mr. Powderly's Influence Has Been
Overestimated - strikes deprecated
Un ess Observation-Disclosures Participa-
ton in Politics Looked Upon With Sat
isfaction.
COLUMBUS. o., Dec. THE federation
of organized Trades and Labor Unions of
the United States and Canada opened its
annual session to-day at noon. The meet
Ing was to have been held in st. Louis,
but it was changed to this city, owing 10
the Convention of national trades unions
which convenes here tomorrow. 1t was
proposed to hold executive sessions and
all not officially connected with the body
were requested to withdraw, while the
action OF the Legislative Committee was
mtted to the congress for its approval
or disapproval. THIS action was followed
by spirited discussion, which resulted
in the adoption of a resolution presented
by John K. Winders, OF st. Louis, to ad-
nit representatives of the press. Inc
vote was almost unanimous.
THE PRESIDING OFFICERS.
The election OF presiding officers re-
OF the National Tailors' Union,
President; j. L. Wright, OF the Interna-
tional Typographical Union, Vice Pres-
dent; }. 5. hITchner, OF tie International
Cigarmakers' Union, Secretary; Ii. EN-
erich, of the International Furniture
Manufacturers, Assistant secretary; w.
E. Thompson, of the Chicago Trades and
Labor Assembly, Doorkeeper; e. +.
Pneger, of Columbus, Messenger; Messrs.
GOmper, Thompson, Miller, Emerlch, Ed
mission and hlI elmer, from the Legisia-
tive Committee, submitted long report.
THE COMMITTEES REPORT.
Under the head OF Federation and
knights Strikes and Political Action"
the committee says: "Tne fifth annual
Congress in executive session considered
the relations between trades unions and
TIE knights of Labor, and instructed the
gecretary TO correspond with the eXecu-
tive officers of the latter body Interference
10 the matter. Secretary Foster, obeylnz
his instructions, wrote to Grand Master
Workman Powderly and Secretary Tur-
ner and elected replies from both. That
OF Mr.. POwderly deserves special notice
or account OF the tone and spirit OF lair
ness pervading it's contsnts, but the con-
tlnued hostility of the Knights of Labor
to trades unions leads US to suppose that
they were promises to the ear broken TO
hopes, or that Mr.. Powderly's influence
for good was sadly over-estimated by the
delegates to the last session of the fede-
ration.
THE STRIKES.
"The question OF strikes is perhaps In
che present movement of labor organiZa-
lions one that is not wholly, we must
confess, guided by that intelligence
which we think the subject deserves. We
do not as a federation or as individuals
wish to be understood to be advocates of
-
that the best regulated trades unions
have the least strikes. Yet, while
we deprecate this measure of war
fare in the labor movement, we
cannot and will not join the general hue
and cry for their condemnation, Strikes
are bad, no doubt. Not only are they so
when they are failures, but also-thodgh
not so bad-when they are successful.
Therefore, to know when to strike and
when to not strike are questions of the
highest importance; also, when a strike
is once gone into, how to conduct the
same is of great moment. We believe
when strike is practicable the people
most interested should be consulted ard
have the deciding voice."
LABOR AND POLITICS.
The committee regarded with pleasure
the recent political action of organized
workmen of the country. by which they
mad determined that they intend to demon
Btrate their political power. They recon-
mend that organized labor persistin their
recent efforts until they achieve the exer-
else OF political rights and powers, which
10 just.
Mr.. Gompers moved that the Legisla-
tive Committee meet with the Committee
Of Trades Union Conference TO agree upon
plan for the carrying out of an amalga-
nation of all the trades unions. This
brought on considerable discussion. in
when the knights OF Labor was discussed
as an organization, and it was finally
decided that the knights of Labor had
nothing to do with it.
A motion for the appointment of a CON-
mittee was adopted, and the federation
adjourned till tomorrow. The following
was received tonight:
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 7, 1896.
p. j. Mcclure, Secretaj q Trades Union CON-
Jer eRce:
have selected & committee Of FIVE. consist
ing Of Brothers Howes, Hall, McFeeley. Or
rInglon ana Zandt, to discuss the past
grievances between trades unions and the
Knights of Labor and pave the way for the
avoidance OF future ones. Fraternaly yours,
L. '. POwDERLY.
Il. NJ. W. Il. of l..