The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-12-18
FEDERATION OF LABOR.
Their Annual Meeting in Philadelphia
Ended Yesterday.
President Gompers Was Reelected as
Also All the Old Oficers-An Increase
in Salaries Adopted.

Labor proposition for the federation to
take any action toward assisting in
Worlds fair congress was defeated by
an overwhelming vote. The recommen-
dations in the presidents report were ap-s
proved including the clauses relating to
woman organizers, whose work was COM
plimented, and relating to Labor day, the
committee recommending that an appeal
be made for the establishment OF
national Labor day in the districts and
territories. It was voted to notify the
president of the United States OF tho
action condemning the employment OF
Chinese sailors by the Pacific Mail Steam
boat company. Resolutions relating to
the action of the president and executive
council requesting conferences with the
Knights OF Labor union stirred up
lively debate. The committee recommen-
dsd that the highest duty OF the fedora
ton was to defend those unions selected
by the Knights of Labor for attack and
that the executive committee take such
action as would enforce this idea, which
was adopted.
The special committee on militia on
strikes reported in part as follows: 'Un-
less halt is called it will not be long
until liberty gives way to despotism.
Since the recent uses to which troops
have been subjected have been brought
about by allowing people unchallenged to
surrender their power, we therefore be-
lieve herein is vital point of our griev-
ances. The American Federation of La
Dor and affiliated bodies demand of legis-
latures the enactment of laws creating
board of commissioners to be selected by
congressional districts in the state. This
committee only shall have power to call
frAN, 81 Lob,
difficulties, in conjunction with the gov
ern ors. In cases of labor difficulties it
shall be unlawful for the governor to call
out the militia for the suppression of the
same except on petition signed by at least
one fourth the qualified voters OF the
county wherein trouble exists.
AS a measure against the employment
eff PinkertonS or other armed forces, the
resolutions demand the enactment of laws
by the several states prohibiting non-res-
idents from serving as peace officers. 1t
was also recommended that the fedora
ton refuse under any circumstances to
enlist in the national guard, and mem
bers now enlisted withdraw as soon as
they can lawfully do SO, unless one or the
other of the propositions proposed be en-
bodied in the state laws. After consider
able discussion the recommendation OF
the committee was stricken out and
clause adopted instead favoring the sup
port of the labor representation in the adj
ministrative and legislative departments
of the national and state governments,
and advising members to see that friends
of labor commanded the militia rather
than thu friends of capital.
At today S session of the Federation of
Labor, resolutions were adopted calling
on the local unions of joint central labor
bodies holding charters from the fedora
ton, condemning the Rock Island road
for refusing its telegraphers to withdraw
from their organizations; asking sailors
to be included in the alien contract labor
law; favoring changes in the contract
labor law, so that an inventor shall re-
ceive direct reward; condemning the
Baron Hirsch fund to assist immigration;
demanding that immigration be re-
stricted; favoring the eight hour system;
asking clemency for the imprisoned Chi
cago anarchists; demanding government
control of railroads but rejecting the So
cialistic resolution favoring government
control of all means of communication.
transportation and production.
Resolutions were passed advocating wo
man suffrage; asking, state legislation to
protect trades unions; for legislation
against the Chinese. A resolution asking
Congress- to either pass legislation for
compulsory arbitration of labor disputes
or the submission of constitutional
amendment permitting such legislation,
caused lively tilt between the socialists
and the anti-socialists in the convention
The question was finally settled by the
adoption of a substitute emphaticalIy APP
proving the principle of arbitration, but
recognized its impotency where workers
were not fully organized. The president
was instructed to endeavor to harmonic
the two conflicting bodies of machinists
which were divided by the recognition of
the color line in one of them. President
Gompers' salary was increased from 81, 800
to 81 800 per annum. Resolutions were
adopted recommending that chiefs and
superintendents of government bureaus
be selected from the trade in which skilled
workmen in the bureau were engaged;
favoring municipal, state and national
civil service reform; favoring free and
compulsory education, and instructing
the executive council to prepare bill to
that effect. The salary of the secretary
was increased from II, 2)0 to 81 500, and
nominations for Office made.
There was no opposition to President
Gonipers' reelection and his election was
unanimous. Christopher Evans, in like
manner. was reelected secretary. John
B. Leonard was reelected treasurer and
j. P. MCGUIRE reelected vice president.
For second vice president William A.
Carney of Pittsburg, who took an active
part IN the Homestead troubles, was
elected. A number of boycotts were en-
dorsed by the committee to whom they
were referred. Chicago secured the con-
vention for 1893. A resolution favoring
direct elections by the people passed
unanimously.
Resolutions were concurred in favoring
labor representation in the inspection of
Chinese immigrants certificates and to
prohibit Japanese immigration. Final
adjournment was then announced.
Yesterdays Fire.
The handsome show window of cna,ca,.