Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-12-13
FEDERATION OFLABOR
THB CONVENTION AT ST. LOUIS RESUMES
WORK.
fhs EghI-Hour Question Referred 10 Commit
tss-Prssidsnt Gonpsrs Jumps Cato Mr..
Powdsrly and Relates 3 Circumstance
That Happened in Philadelphia.

ST. LOUIS, December II The Ameri-
can Federation of Labor resumed its ses-
sion at the Central Turner Hall at 8 o'clock
this morning President Gompers in the
chair.
II was found that the banquet Of last
night, which was rather a big affair, had
kept many Of the delegates from appear
ing pNmptly, and caused a delay in com-
mittee work, none Of the committees ap-
pointed yesterday being ready to report.
When the Secretary's report WAS called
for that officer asked additional time,
which was granted. o K. Lake, of st.
Louis, was then admitted as q delegate
from the International Typographical
Union, vice John Lswler. The following
were then appointed q special committee
to report on that section of President
GompeTs' address referring TO the eight
hour law: John F. Kirchner, William J.
Dillon, Henry Emericb, Frank K. Foster,
VIM. Martin, Alexander johnson and W.
II. Kleiner.
The section Of President Gompe:s' sd-
dress the committee will report upon, is
as follows "In connection with the eight
hour movement, permit me 10 direct your
attention to what believe some Of the
actions of this convention should be, to-
wards achieving success. We should not
content ourselves with the passage Of a
n solution meaning nothing. If this con-
vention should decide to engage the atten.
ton Of the working people to the sdop-
tion of the eight hour work.day, it should
take such steps as would lead TO practical
sctiou and results believe this subject
should either be discussed by the conven-
tion in the Committee of the Whole or re-
ferred to special committee for consi'
deration; and in CONGESTION with this !
would suggest, further, that we should
encourage the formst,on OF eight-bOur lea
CUES in every city and town Though the
entire country, and that the trades unions
and labor unions should be represented in
them, not to conflict with the central Ia
Dor unions, or trade councils, but to con-
centrate their effoits upon the eight.hour
movement alone.
'I suggest further that certain day he
set apart, some holiday, probably FebIua-
~ %, 1889, on which mass meetings shall
be held simultaneously throughout the
entire country for tie discussion of this
subject, and resolutions OF similar char
acter be submitted to escn of these meet
ings. There are other matters Of detail
connected with this subject which it is un.
necessary now to refer to-"
A motion to adjourn followed the ap.
pointment Of this committee, and the first
warm debate of the meeting followed, q
minority favoripg the continuance o! the
work with reports of the committees and
the Secretary. Finally recess WAS taken
until two o'clock this afternoon.
That portion of President Gompers' ad'
dress referring to the Knights of Labor, in
which he
HANDLES MASTER WORKMAN PoWDERLY
WITHOUT GLOVES,
has created quite a sensation. President
Gompers says: "0f the Knights of Labor,
their attitude towards the Trades Unions
within the past year has not improved.
1t has seem.d, whether by design or other
wise, to be their purpose that when
trades union has had a dispute between
their employer and themselves TO throw
the influence Of their organization against
the toilers. Daring the past year they
have had several instances. WHEN trade
disputes were in progress, bot in each in
stance il was on the side OF tie corporation
or the unfair employer.
While in Philadelphia few months ago
upon official besiness of the Federation,
an intimstion was given me that an inter.
view beeweon Mr.. Powderly and myself
would be agreeable, for the purpose OF
discussing the question Of harmony or
co operation of effort, of the American
Federation of Labor and the X Kuights, with
view of putting an end 10 the vexstious
questions, that have estrauged the two or
mutations Your President consented, /,
and accompanied by Secretary Mcclure,
the interview took place. A general con-
yersation was iudulged 10, and a
promito made that we should meet
again before the Knights convention,
and endeavor to arrive at some tangible
conclusion or basis the next week. A
letter was subsequently sent by us TO MIR.
Powderly stating the advisability Of a con-
ference taking place the foflogiDg day.
Mr.. Powderly answered that he would not
be in the city at that time, bat would re
turn in about werk, when further con-
ference would he agreeable to him. ] am
creditably informed that Mr. POwderly
had not left Philadelphia on the day
named, and since then regret TO say that
have not heard from him"
On reas,embling the Committee on
Presidents Report reported the follow
ing
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the American Federation Of Labor
uss it's best endesvors to establish The
eight hour work day; that measures be in
troduced into Congress to secure legislation
against the importation Of foreign or alien
labor by contract, and for the punishment
OF all violators OF such laws; that q strike
fund be established and maintained for
the benefit Of the various unions, or
branches of unions that may through emf.
fcient cause 90 out and strike, and that al
assessment Of two cents par member be lev.
| led when necessary TO &s;st in strike
] that may be approved by the Federation
that a weekly Journal representing the
views and interests Of the Federation be
published; that the matter regarding child
labor in factories be brought to the atteu-
tion of Congress, and that by an
am .ndment TO the constitution Of
the United State children shall
be made wards Of the govern
ment instead of States, aud that such
measures shall be introduced that will
prohibit the employment in factories oI
children under IA years Of sge. Symps.
tby wss also extended to the unorgapizsd
miners Of Pennsylvania. The question o.
industrial divisions was referred TO the
COMMITTEES on Organizations. The report
of the Commit ee on the Presidents report
was taken up seristim.
Daniel Mclaughlin was called to the
chair. The eight-hour movement and i'm
portation of foreign labor wac adopted.
The uuest:oa of "strike fund" was re-
ferred back to the committee. All Other
recommendation Of the committee were
adopted. Secretary Mcclure read his
| ,ano,t and recon nended that ak or