The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-12-18
Federation of Labor Convention.

BINGHAMPTON, Ala. Dec 17-At to-davs
session of the American Federation of Labor
President Gompers recommended the organi-
Zatlon of the demand for the passage of a labor
law by Congress recognizing the first Monday
in September as d legal holiday in the District
OF Columbia and territories. A resolution to
that effect was adopted.
President Gompers spoke at some length on
the subject OF boycottS, saying every local or
ganization seemed to take upon itself the right
TO levy boycott and to spread them before
the entire country 1t seemed to him an oppor-
| tunity should be given for investigation and no
boycott recognized unless approved by con-
Ventlon or executive committee. He asked the
convention to take some seton on this point
On the question OF union labels, he said the
decision OF the supreme court of PENNSYLVANIA
recently to the effect that inasmuch as the
wage-workers do not own the product, they
cannot have label certifying to the character
of the labor employed in Its production 1t will
be- II allowed to stand, one of the severest
blows which could be inflicted upon the rights
OF organized labor Gompers severely scored
the decision. and said the officers of the organi-
zation should be empowered to cooperate with
affiliated unions to secure legislation to over
come the obstacles presented or reversal of
the decision IN question.
A special committee was appointed to con-
slider the conflicting elements on the Pacific
coast. President Gompers made a speech
on the subject, telling how he listened
to statements on the matter when in
San Francisco and regretting exceed
had yet been had. Since last year, said he a
convention was held of all the unions
OF the Pacific coast, taking in an
e9de d 5Gm and Bra5 to IN
1t practically established a federation outside
of the American federation and Gompers sees
| IN THIS. unless some adjustment is had, two or
CARNATIONS with the same purposes in view
having local unions represented in each ana
which can scarcely work on parallel lines
Sooner or later great conflicts will arise and
instead OF 1faternaliy aiding each other, we
may see internal strife in the trade union move
ment of the country. He trusted this move
ment would receive earnest consideration and
| that any action taken might bring peace and
unity with the Brewers workers union which
are primarily in interest in the matter
A resolution was adopted denouncing the
Chicago police for breaking into lawful and
peaceful meetings of labor people November II
and II in violation of every principle of RIGHT
and justice. In accordance with the action of
the abor organizations of the District of Col
umb1a asking change in the form of govern
ment In the city of Washington, a resolution
was adopted requesting the passage of a law
re establishing government of the people for
the people and by the people in the capital of
the nation"
In reference to the circular issued by the New
York city labor federation denouncfng Presi-
dent Gompers as corruptioniSt in politics and
having prost1tuted his office and the federation
in corrupt deals with New York CITY Demo-
Gratis, the com mittee on grievances reported
a resolution entirely generating him and de-
claring MIN to be ''as far above bribery, politi-
cal boodlism or corruption as the stars are
above the earth" The report was unani.
mously adopted.
A resolution was also adopted against the
employment of non-union labor on public
buildings and against the failure of the govern
ment to enforce the eight-hour law A cesolu
ton that no politician be allowed to address an
assembly did not go through. To night the
delegates are being entertained at a BANQUET
given by the local union, at which colored dele
gates occupy place at the board. This matter
gave rise to some difficulty, but the colored
delegates had either to be admitted or the
banquet abandoned.