, 1891-12-18

DECIDEDLY SARCASTIC.
The American Federation OF
Labor is Cranky.
Scores the Chicago Police for
SURPRISING Anarchy.
Kicks the "COlored Brother to
No Purpose.
1t Caps the Climax by Praising
President Gompers
Labor Conventlon's Demands.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala, Dec. l7.-At
today's session Of the American Fedora
ton of Labor, President Gompers recon-
mended that the organization demand the
passage of a labor law by congress recog-
nizing the first Monday of September as
a legal holiday in the District OF Columbia
and IN the territories. A resolution to
that effect was adopted. President
Gompers spoke at some length on the
subject OF the boycott, saying every local
organization seems to take upon itself the
right to levy bOycOtts and to spread them
before the entire country
IL seemed to him an opportunity should
be given for an investigation aud no boy
colt recognized unless approved by the
convention or executive council. He
asked the convention to take some action
on this point. On the question OF union
labels, he said that the decision of the
supreme court OF Pennsylvania recently
to the effect that iuasmuch as the wage
workers do not own the product, they
cannot have a label certifying to the char
acter of the labor employed in its produc-
ton, will be, it allowed to stand. one of
the severest blows which could be inflicted
upon the rights of ORGANIZED labor.
VI "oL hptlo otNtiNl bNplCu IA NC
cision and said the officers of the organi-
cation should be employed TO cooperate
with the affiliated unions to secure legisla-
ton to overcome the obstacles presented
or the reversal of the decision 10 question.
a special committee was appointed to
consider the conflicting elements on the
Pacific coast. President Gompers made
a speech on the subject, telling how he
listened to the statements on the matter
when in San Francisco and regretted ex-
ceedingly that no adjustment of the
trouble had been had. Since last year.
said he, "a convention has held up all
the Unions of the Pacific coast, taking
10 an area from Spokane. Wash, to in
cludc California and British Columbia. &"
He trusted this movement would re-
ceive their earnest consideration and that
action should be taken which might bring
peace and unity with the Brewery Work
er's Union, which are primarily in the
interest of the matter.
A resolution was adopted denouncing
the Chicago police for breaking into the
lawful and peaceful meetings of labor peo-
pie on Nov. II and H." in violation of
every principle OF right and justice. In
accordance with the action of the labor
organization in the District of Columbia
asking a change in the form of govern
meBt in the city of Washington. a reso-
luton was adopted requesting the
passage of a law re establishing the
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
%denouncing President Gompers as a cor
ruptionist in politics, and as having pros
tituted his office and the federation in
corrupt deals With the New York city
Democrats, the committee on grievances
reported a resolution entirely generating
MIN and declaring him to be as far
above bribery. political boodlers or cor
ruptlon as the stars are above the earth.
The report was unanimously adopted.
Resolutions were also adopted against the
employment of non-union men on public
building aud against the failure of the
government to enforce the eight hour law.
A resolution that no politician should be
allowed to address the assembly old not
go through. Tonight the delep ates are
being entertainnd at n banquet gwen BY
the local union, at which colored delegates
occupy a place ut the board. This matter
gave rise to some difficulty. but the col
nred delegates had to either be admitted
or the banquet nhandoned.