The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-16
CAUSE OF LABOR,
Questions Before the American
Federation.
An Agreement Submitted in The Case Of
The Pacific Coast Delegates.
President GOmperS' Report - Progress of
the Order During the Past Year.
Measures Requiring Action.


| convention grant $4,000 to enable the Pitts
burg Typographical Union to take the re-
| cent conspiracy cases to the Supreme Court
| OF Pennsylvania, and if necessary to the
United States Supreme Court. President
Gompers opposed action at this time and
the whole matter was referred to the Com
mittee on Resolutions.
At the morning session the reports of the
Auditor and Committee on Rules were
adopted The Committee on Credentials
seated Henry KRAKOW of Portland, Oregon,
a contested delegate. The other two Pacific
Coast delegates have not yet been seated.
PACIFIC COAST DELEGATES.
AT the afternoon session partial report
from the committee on the Pacific Coast
contested delegates was submitted in the
shape of an agreement declaring that the
Brewers Union of the Pacific Coast will re-
join the National Union by paying dues and
assessments for the current month, and also
the assessment of $40 under dispute, said
$40 to be paid under protest 20 the Presi-
dent of the federation. the above men,
toned rej0iniDg and payment to be made by
January 1st next. Flu rther. that the Ma
tional Union of the United Brewery Work
men of the United States agree to accept
the Pacific Coast Brewery Workmen en- the
above terms, and will call convention
within six months from January 1, 1892,
popular vote 10 decide the month and
place of said conven tion, to settle all diff
cutieS definitely 1t is probable that the
report will be received as a settlement.
Mrs. Van Eaton of New York made an
exhaustive argument in favor OF recogni-
n federation n Of
the metrouoliS.
Mrs. Mcdonald Valesh, State Lecturer of
the Minnesota Alliance and representative
of the st. Paul working women, delivered
an address advocating the cause of women.
motion was made by Delegate Harding
that special committee be appointed to
consider the organization of working
women, the two ladies who had just spoken
to be members. This was adopted.
Many resolutions were introduced and re-
ferred to committees.
GROWTH OF THE ORDER.
In his annual report President Corners
says:
Pursuant to instructions, visited the conyen-
tion OF tne machinlsts at Pittsburg, Pa and
made formal request TO them to strike out their
color liue Determinations; and, although they
deemed 1t inexpedirmt at that time, they de-
clared that In all probability II would be COM
piled with at their next session. They having
failed 10 comply with the request, a convention
was called of machiuists' unions and the Inter
national Maclinists' Union OF America was or
ganiZed, apd now has twenty-five branches
throughout tue country. The new organization is
on lair way OF progress and success, but they
have no desire 10 permanently divide the ma
chinists of the country into separate organiza-
Tons, and have pledged themseV es that when
the older organizations shall eliminate the oh
1ectionable clause aud b. willing to amaIgamate
me new one VIII Ds pleased TO DO SO upon an
Union has been resuscitated and placed in
position TO actively further the work of organi-
cation OF that craft. The Electrical Workers
were organized into national union from the
various local unions affiliated 10 the Federation.
Tie Carriage and Wagon Makers have Organized
national union. The various organizations
working In The ready-made" " clothing ind ustry
have organized national union. under The title
OF the United Garment-wOrkers OF America,
with very great degree OF success. The tan
neTs and curriers' have also organized national
union. these ahd seven other national trades
unions affiliated with the A. r. of L. within the
year. A convention will be held for the forma-
tion OF national unions from among be metal
polishers and street railway employees in the
very near future
LOCAL UNIONS
The Federation issued 246 charters to local
unions, ten TO national trade unions, and the
latest reports show that The national trade
unions issued charters 10 lo40 local unions of
their respective trades and callngs giving the
trade union movement Of the country about
12,O0O local unions. The committee authorized
10 be apDo nled by the last convention to visit
Im,o 1he Brieslayefs' c. , and Mason, International
TO invite that body to become affiliated
with the American Federation OF Labor, per
clded by The annual gathering of that Interua-
tional Union. There are yet number OF other
International unions, particularly the steam
railroad organizations. who are not affiliated
with the A. f. OF l.. am pleased to report that
never before We're the relations between our
organizations so friendly. and L am hrmly OF the
belief mat the time Is not far distant when we
shall be enabled TO cddnt upon the railroad
labor organizations being allied with the great
Trade unions of our country under the banner OF
The American Federation of Labor.
EIGHT-HoUR MOVEMENT.
, Following the policy heretofore pursued, the
Detroit Convention OF the Federation decided
upon continuing the movement for n reduction
In the hours Of labor OF the toilng masses. The
convention decided TO select the organization of
craft TO demand the enforcement OF the eight
hour work day on May l, 1891. The report of
the special committee having that subject in
and tacitly relegated the selection to the
Executive Council 10 be made as the
delegates of the miners demanded that their
trade be the one named they declared that the
miners were fully prepared and delei mined TO
inaugurate the movement. The convention
readily acceded to tile demand. Every facility
at the command OF the Executive Council was
sci in motion. Circulars were sent broadcast
and reached every member and labor union
throughout the country. he organizers and
unions held public and business meetings. The
President OF the Federation travelled from Maine
10 California the cOmbiued efforts OF all creating
such sentiment and feeling of earnestuess and co.
Inauguration Of the movement seemed bright
and encouraging. 1t would be Idle TO attempt 10
describe the feellng OF ast0nisnmerL 1t caused
Tie Executive Council aud disappointment maui.
tested and chagIi In felt by The organized working
men aud women of our country at the announce
nent OF the a6andonment OF the movement by
the miners. Although discouraged by the action
OF the miners, ii large number OF workers secured
feductions In their working hours, notably the
building, Iron and clothing trades and surface
railroad employees. The printing trade made
several local movements with varying success.
RELIEF DEMANDED.
We are confronted with condition OF affairs
reference immiprutipn Ia ind aal
paiiing, and should command the earnest and
sincere consideration of the delegates OF this
convention. The time was when the American
people could declare that The United States
should be haven for the oppressed OF all
nations and invite all VINO desired to seek
new homo 10 come to shores At that
time The industries Of our country were entirely
In their infancy. our lands were undeveloped,
our resources greater than we even knew. To-
day, however. there Is not an industry which is
not overcrUwded with working people, WHO
valnly plead foI an opportunity TO work. This
Is moi only confined TO the factories, workshops,
mills, mines and stores-the same complaint can
be heard arising from the farm lands. and all
my judgment the delegates to this couvsutian,
representing the organized wage workers of our
country, should voice their sentiments In un-
mistakable tones and declare that we will have
relief from this pressing evil.
Evidently an erroneous IMPRESSION has gone
forth as to the action OF the Detroit convention
upon the question OF political action.
what the convention declared was that a po-
iitlcal party, as party, known by any name,
has no right TO representation In the trade.
union councils. That position Is In line with the
policy OF the labor movement. 1t Is recognized
the world over 10 The trade-union movement.
The employment Of children at young and
tender ages ln the stores and Easements of mer-
camille houses Is just as barbarons aud inhuman
as IL Is In the factory and workshop, and should
be prohibited.
UNION FEES.
In connection with the subject OF taxation and
assessments OF afhllaled unions TO support each
other when engaged In trade difficulties to de-
lend their position against the entertainments Of
their employers, or TO make advances TO promote
aud improve their condition, / desire to add
what have often repeated both In my reports 10
previous conventions ana elsewhere, that those
unions which have good financial sysfam havA