The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-18
FEDERATION OF LABOR.
A Lively Skirmish With the Socialists
in the Convention.

III bI0 SOhN cutlOn.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Dec. I7.-The
convention of the American Federation Of
Labor has adopted a resolution calling on
local unions to join the central labor bodies
holding charters from the federation; con-
demning the Rock Island railroad for re-
quirlng its telegraph operators to withdraw
from their organization, asking that sailors
be included under the provisions
OF the alien contract law: condemning
the system Of advance wages TO sailors; fav-
orlng changes in the patent laws, so that
inventors will receive direct rewards: con-
demning the Baron Hirsch fund and its
CHART ably assisted recipients and demand
ing restriction of immigration: condemniug
the system compelling the walters 10 shave
OFF their mustaches and favoring the eight
hour system. A resolution was unanimously
adopted asking clemency for the imprisoned
Chicago anarchists, Neebe. Fielden and
Schwab.
Delegate Morgan of Chicago introduced
a substitute for the resolution favoring
governments control OF the telegraph and
telephone lines. The socialist element
wanted a resolution asking that the govern
ment control all means of communication,
transportation and production. Mr.. Nor
gan insisted on q roll call to test the sense
of the federation on the proposition and
u
vote Of !, 1898 to 527. The original resolution
was then passed with an amendment asking
government control OF railroads.
Resolutions affirming previous oonven-
tions in advocacy Of woman suffrage and
asking for state legislation TO protect trade
union marks were adopted. and various
resolutions asking legislation against Chinese
were favorably commended to the next ex-
ecutive council
The differences between the socialists and
autonomists were aired when a resolution
was reported asking congress either to pass
legislation compelling an adjustment of
labor disputes by arbitration or the SUBJ
mission of a constitutional amendment
permitting such legislation. The socialistic
representatives favored the measure, as a
step toward government control of all pro-
ductiou, and characterized its opponents as
anarchists, charging that they objected to
it as they objected TO all government
President Gompers and others argued that
compulsory arbitration might prove dam
gerous weapon against labor interests
should it fall into the hands of capital
SPLIT OF THE MACHINIsTs.
The president was instructed to visit the
coming national convention of the machin-
lists and endeavor to harmonic the two con-
flicting bodies, which are divided by the
recognition of q color line In one of them.
that the chiefs and superintendents of gov-
ernment bureaus be selected from the trade
in which the skilled workmen employed In
the bureau are engaged; favoring free
municipal, state and national civil service
reform; fevortng free and compulsory edu-
cation, and instructing the executive coun-
Gil to prepare a bill to that effect.
President Gompers and Secretary Evans
were re-eleoted and their salaries were in-
creased.
John ID. Lennon was elected treasurer.
P. j. Mcguire was reelected first vice
president.
William A. Carney, Of Pittsburg, who
took an active part in the Homestead
trouble, was elected second vice president.
Chicago secured the convention for 1898.
A resolution favorinR direct elections by
the people was passed unanimously.
Vice President MCGUIRE delivered the
peroration preceding the final adjourn
ment.