Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-04
WANT A STATE UNION.
A Proposition 10 Federate All the
Trades in Pennsylvania.
WILL CALL A CONVENTION SOON.
Monotony Broken in the Journeymen
Timers Strike.
AMALeAMATED CONVENTION AT WORK

A circular has just been received by the
Central Trades Council of this city from
the Central Labor Union of Erie, calling
for al expression of opinions as to the prac-
ticability of organizing State federation Of
labor for legislative purposes. The matter,
it seems, has been agitated since last March
in various carts of the State, but definite
action has only recently been instituted. II
the matter meets with favor, a convention
will be called shortly, either in Pittsburg or
Erie, for the purpose of organizing. 1t is
proposed to include all organizations now
attached to the American Federation OF
Labor.
In this event matters will be somewhat
complicated in several cities. Pittsburg,
for instance, has two organizations, one Of
which is made up Of both Federation and
x. of L. assemblies. It is thought the
Trades Assembly would have some difficulty
going into the State organization on that
account.
THE CIRCULAR ENTIRE.
The following is the circular received by
the Trades Council here; 1t is signed bv COM
street, Erie, is Chairman:
ITO Organized Labor of Pennsylvania-Greeting:
"At a regular meeting of the Erie Central
Labor Union, held March last. the Secretary
was instructed to correspond with the different
Central Labor Unions and labor ORGANIZATIONS
In the State in regard to forming State Fed
Grafton of Labor, subordinate to the American
Federation of Labor.
AT meeting held April 20 committee was
appointed to take charge of the matter, as 1t
demands too much work Of the Secretary (th1s
by way of explanation, as some communica-
tions have heretofore been sent out bearing the
signature of this body.
'The Importance of forming State Fedora
tion of Labor cannot be too strongly urged. 1t
is only through central body, in which are
united all the different labor organizations of
the State. that we can hope to make our tnt1u-
ence felt in the halls of legislation
1.-THE Australian ballot system, raising the
age at which children may be employed in
shops. factories and mines, a law compelling
the weekly payment of wages, these and many
other measures calculated to improve the con-
dition of the working class, can only be secured
by united action. In the trusts and combina-
tons, of which the people SO justly complain,
we have an example of what united action can
accomplish in the way of securing favorable
legislation for any particular class. Let us fol-
low in the path they have so plainly marked
out, and success must attend our efforts.
ALL ASKED TO JOIN IN.
1--WE have sent copies of this letter to the
following Central Labor Unions and Trades
Assemblies: Harrisburg, Lancaster, Pittston,
1AASS
to the executive officers Of the following or
ganizations for their Endorsement: U. B. of
Carpenters, Coopers' Progressive Union, Elec-
trIcal and Protective Union. American Flint
Glass Workers Union, Green Pressers' Union.
Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel
Workers. Musicians National League, Ma
tional Pattern Makers League, Textile Work
ers' Progressive Union of America; all of
which have their headquarters in the State.
president Gompers, of the American Feder-
alton of Labor, has given the plan his iudorse-
ment. and has volunteered the following sug-
gestions IN regard to representation: One dele
gate for each trade union which has men,
Dership of 100 or less; two delegates from 100 to
80 members, and one additional delegate for
each 300 members; no trade union to have more
than four delegates.
IF this matter meets with your approval. as
we hope 1t may please state in your answer
whether the basis of representation as outlined
by President Gompers is satisfactory, also the
time and place that the convention should be
called. We will then issue the call. We ex-
tend on behalf of organized labor of Erie, a
cordial invitation to hold the convention in
this city. but should majority of the answers
show preference for any other place, we will
cheerfully abide by their decision"
Several local members of the Federation
here said yesterday that they believed the
movement is good one, and that il pushed
forward properly it can be made a success.