The morning call., 1890-12-07
PAGES Is TO is,

the animation OF the International, national
ana local trade unions, federal labor unions
State declarations, central labor unions and
trades assemblies of cities aud towns. The
4tsau izaliens are entitled to representation
IN conventions Oh basis Of one delegate
LOT every 1000 members. Consequently the
attendance of delegates at conventions is
not so large as in other orders.
Attempts were made at various times to
have the American Federation and the
knights of Labor work in harmony, and
something more than yearago it was hoped
that at last those attempts would be crowned
With success. The result, however, merely
served to emphasize the irreconcilab Bile differ
ences between the two orders. The executive
officers of the federation and the knights
met. The Knights of Labor officers offered
ms basis OF harmony, the mutual recogni-
ton of each others cards OF membership.
This was declined by the trades unions on
the ground that in trade disputes there
WOULD oe dual authority, resulting in vexa-
tlous ana endless complications. Then the
American Federation proposed that the
trade locals" or local assemblies whose
membership was confined to men of single
trade be discontinued by the knights and
that, on the other hand, all linked locals'
or federal labor unions be discontinued by
the federation and that all trade unionists
be urged to join mixed assemblies of the
knights of Labor. This proposition was
also rejected and the conference was at an
end. Any other termination of the confer
ence could scarcely have been looked for.
-" We do not see" said President Gompers,
how the tinker or the tailor can success
July regulate the trade affairs or disputes
OF the butcher or the baker. The American
Federation of Labor has made it the card-
nal principle 10 declare, maintain and secure
the autonomy of every trade and labor union
In the exercise of its right to regulate the
matters connected with its own business,
uninterfered with by any supreme
grand or mysterious power. The most
potent factors III maintaining and perpetual
ting the federation are the very slight cords
that bind the organizations to il. Its Off
GERS, II disposed to be dictatorial would soon
ind few or none TO dictate to. We act upon
the principle that the whole are wiser than
any. one and that the democracy stands
against autocracy as the best form Of gov
eminent, lndusrially as well as politically"
The American Federation of Labor, in
1act seemed to be based on the principle of
the American Federation Of States. Ameri-
canlsm and patriotism are, to the most
casual observer. among the leading attri-
butes OF the order. Should YOU have occa-
sion to visit the modest New York head
quarters OF the order in Clinton place, you
will see, conspicuously displayed on the
wall, as you enter the main room, a fine
steel portrait of George Washington. In
President Gompers' private room, hanging
Just above his desk, is a steel engraving of
Irumbulps Declaration of Independence"
These little surface indications may be of
interest to such willfully uniformed per-
sons as still persist in believing that labor
re1ormers are Of necessity unpatriotc.
The American Federation Of Labor never
once lost sight of the position it had taken
in favor of the eght-bour day for working
men, and at the ninth convention, held in
Boston last year. the position was re-
affirmed. Then it was decided that the time
for action was ripe Last March the Execu-
tive Council, consisting of William Martin,
P. J. Mcclure. Henry Enrich. Chris Evans
and Samuel GomperS, met and selected
the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and
demand for the enforcement of the eight
hour rule. The demand was formally made
in May, and the result is still fresh in the
memory of every one who has paid the
slightest attention to labor matters. Within