Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-02
A FIGHT IN PROSPECT
AT THE COMING FEDERATION OF LABOR
CONVENTION AT DETROIT.

Socialists to Make an Attempt to Control
the Convention and Depose President
Gompers-Statistics on the Eight-Hour
Movement-The Work Laid Out.
NEW YORK, Dec. 1.-The annual conven-
tion of the American Federation of Labor
that is TO he held in Detroit December 8,
has already created a great deal of anxious
interest among trades unions. National or
international trades unions will send one
delegate for 1000 members OF less, two for
5000, three for 10000, four for "a, 900, and
five for $4,000. State federations, central
labor unions, trades assemblies, local trade
unions, and feGeral labor unions will be en-
titled to one delegate each. About 100 dele
gates will assemble at the convention, rep
resenting the most diversified trades in the
country.
A quarrel is expected to take place over
the application for admission that will be
made by the Socialists, who are represented
in the Central Labor Federation of New
York. Lucien Saniel is the delegate from
this body, and he is an out-and-out Socialist,
who breaches the doctrines of Karl Marks
and La Sale in order and out of order.
The Central Labor Federation has not vet
got a regular charter from the American
Federation of Labor. 1t received blank
credentials to the convention from President
Gompers, who afterward said that he had
not intended to send them. Gompers is op-
posed to the admission Of Socialists and
cannot see any reason why trades unions,
whose business it is to occupy themselves
with industrial questions, should admit
them TO mem bership.
Saniel, however, is great fighter, and he
has instructions from his constituents to
force Socialism down the throat of the con-
vention. Should he be admitted he will at
once proceed to oppose the denomination of
Gompers for President, which Office he has
already held for several terms. Should
Saniel not be admitted, he will, according
to instructions from his constituents, call a
mass meeting in Detroit and make it as un-
pleasant as possible to Gompers and the
other delegates.
Gompers has been compiling statistics in
regard to the eight-hour movement. The
carpenters fight was the only great one in
this direction, but a number of smaller
strikes for eight hours we're also reported as
successful.
Gompers says that 80 per cent of the
strikes for eight hours were accompanied by
an increase OF wages But in no case were
wages reduced.
Some time ago the Executive Council of
the American Federation of Labor had de-
cided that the miners were to make the next
fight for eight hours. Since then Gompers
has had applications from the International
Typographical Union and from the Brother
hood of Painters and Decorators, both of
whom want the support of the Federation in
struggles for eight hours. 1t is question
whether the Federation can support more
than one union at time, but it will do its
best for all.
Another question that will be discussed
by the convention will be as to the advisa-
bility of having general strike fund and
whether unions shall be assessed in cases of
strikes or the funds continue to be raised by
voluntary subscriptions. In regard to the
question OF politics, Gompers does not think
that any steps will be taken to go into indie
pendent political action. Something. may
be done to enable workmen to obtain their
demands by legislation. but Gompers does
not like the idea of allying with any politi-
cal parties. The convention will probably
ask for legislation for eight hours for Gov
ernment employees, and will also request
Congress to make the alien contract labor
law more stringent.