Morning journal and courier., 1886-12-09
TRADE UNIONS AND LABOR. &A A Conference of Knights aud Repre- sentatives of the Unions to Heal up the Breach Between Them.


 up the Breach Between Them.
 COLUMBUS, O., Dec. 8.-In the federation of unions to day MT. Gompers of New York, presented the following which was adopted:
 ber Unions of the United States and Canada:
 Your legislative committee having acted as trades union conference to bring bo h the fedora ton and conference to act in cooperation beg leave
 That at noon to-day this federation resolved itself into committee of the whole and attend the
 sThat the committee of this congress prepare the work assigned to each ready to report uod the called to order by the president
 Chairman Smith appointed Mir. Scott, of Canada, chairmain of the committee of the whole. The congress then adjourned to
 meet the trades unions When the latter
 body convened P. J. Mcclure called the en- tire body to order and with the call for the meeting in the absence of the president
 Messrs. McGuire, Gompers and Mcbride were named temporary presidents. The two former declined and Hon. John Mcbride
 was unanimously elected. MT. Gompers was made secretary. The chairman ap
 pointed Messrs. Strasser, Scott. Edmonson and Miller as a committee on credentials. A recess was then taken until p. m. The officers of the joint body are divided between the two organizations. A communication
 was read from the union employees of the St.
 
 against the brewery owners. They recon
 mended thas further attemptes at an amica-
 ble settlement cease and that 1aboring men
 be induced to quit buying the products of
 the breweries.
 At the afternoon session the committee on
 credentials reported 8 list of delegates present
 The committee on permanent organization
 then reported. The committee on organiza- ton reported the temporary organization as
 permanent. The report of the committee on credentials was adopted and the remaining committees retired for consultation. The secretary occupied the attention of the con ference by reading communications from del egates unable to be present. Many recited the instructions which had been gwen them and several displayed considerable feeling toward the Knights of Labor. One writer stated that the Knights of Labor had failed in their mission and were now fighting the trades unions. He compared the order to a brilliant meteor which flashes across the sky and disappears, leaving per haps 8 little dust behind. Immediately after reading these communications the sec retary, P. J. Mcclure of Philadelphia, moved tbat the representatives of the press be ex- cluded from all meetings of the conference.
 MT. John Hamlin, of New York, strongly opposed such motion, stating that he had been sent to the conference to advocate no l measures that would not bear the light of day. He was opposed to star chamber sessions and felt that there was nothing whatever in their proceed ings which the public should not know. James McDermott, of San Francisco, and Julian W. Wrightly, of Washington, both members of the typographical unions, op- posed the motion. It was discussed pro and con for about an hour, after which vote was taken which resulted in the expulsion of the reporters. The proceedings are to be given to the press by the secretary st the close of each session. After the reporters had retired an hour was spent in discussing the objects and aims of the national federation and plans for increas- ing its power and efficiency. The to Secretary w. H. Foster was discussed and blanks for subscription fund for the pur- pose placed in the hands of delegates. The conference then adjourned.
 The committee from the Knights of Labor appointed by MT. Powderly to adjust the differences between the two organizations have been in consultation with similar committee from the federation, but nothing has yet been given out.
 MT. J. w. Evans of Springfield, H., presi- dent of the federation, stated that in his opinion the breach was too wide and the ciliation proposed. He thought matters might be patched up for while, but expect l ed no permanent results to follow. He is opposed to the formation of labor party. l There are many delegates opposed to such 8 move and the conference will define it's posi- | tion the labor party question with great difficulty. But Something will surely be done in that direction, even if it | is necessary to resolve themselves into a,meeting of workingmen and pass resolu- 1 tions The conference will complete it's work before Saturday. The report of the committees on conference with the Knights of Labor, resolutions and legislation will each consume much time by the discussion
 of the measures proposed. The conferences
 committee is expected to report tomorrow