The morning call., 1892-12-05
NEW FEDERATION.
Political Action, Strikes
and BOyCotts.
Declaration of Principles Adopted at
the Meeting That Was Held
Yesterday Afternoon.

When the delegates appointed by the
various trades unions met yesterday after
noon 20 continue their labOrs toward FORM
ing new labor federation the report of a
previously appointed committee on cOnsti-
tuition was the first thing in order.
There was a brief discussion as TO wheth-
er the meeting should be an executive one
or whether the press representatives should
be allowed to be present.
The advocates of the theory that no Sc
crecy of the proceedings was desirable
gained their point.
Secretary Farlard stated that he held one
constitution. three preambles or declara-
tons of principles and several resolutions,
all of these parers having been handed him
by the committe on constitution.
Some difference of opinion prevailed as
TO which of these papers should be cOnsid-
cred part of the report, and IL was finally
decided 10 have them all read.
The first preamble read was one which
declared it 10 be the purpose of the fedora
ton 10 aid the cause of organized labor
very much Oh the same plan as has for years
been practieed by the present Council OF
Federated Trades, and recommended a
judieiOus use of bOycOtts and strikes
The other two declarations advocated the
abOllshing of the old system and OF substi-
tuting independent political action for the
bOvcOtts and strikes.
Furuseth of the Sailors Union was the
author of the first preamble and Street Of
Carpenters Union No. 4S3 aud Moolena ar
Of the furniture-woTkers presented the
others.
The constitution as read contained only
few new departures.
1t recommended the plan Of grouping the
unions according TO the various trades all IL
ated with each other. and provided for an
arbitration committee, composed Of the
chairmen Of all the groups, whose duty il
would be to settle all the difficulties be-
tween employers aud employees as far as
possible.
A committee on manufacture and trade,
for The purpose Of obtaining statistics bear
ing on the wage question, was also recon-
mended.
No action bearing on public questions can
be taken unless twO-thlrds of the new
counciPs delegates are IN favor of IL, &C.
coTding to this constitution, and all politi-
cal action must De strictly non-partsan.
a resolution adopted by Carpenters
Union No. 4S3, which was read, faVOrs the
holding of labor conventions and the pre-
sentation OF a labor ticket at all municipal,
State or national elections.
When the reading of all the documents
was completed the constitution was on
motion, taken up by sections, discussions
being limited 10 fve-minuje speeches.
Furuseth's preamble came up first, and At
or rejection hinged the question as 10 which
OK tie two Opposing factions should carry
eff the bOnOTs OF the cay.
The proposition resolved itself in the
abolition of the boycott aud strike or their
continuance
Whether the new Federation shall be a
political organization or otherwise was the
other point in issue.
The speeches made on these issues we're
many and al times quite animated.
Buns OF tile cigar-makers, Mills of Car
peuteTs' Union No. 4S3. Mo0leuaar of the
furniture workers and McIvOr of tie paint
tiers strongly advocated independent politi-
cal action and were violently opposed to
Furnseths preamble.
The last mentioned speaker made an
especially strong argument, which was re-
ceived with a great deal of applause
coming principally, however. not from the
delegates, but from the gallery, where a
large number of visitors were seated.
Cannon Of the tanners, McGlynn of the
printers, F1ruseth and Mackay of the
sailors, Barrett OF Bakers Union No. b.
and Macarthur OF the sailors spoke in favor
Of the preamble as read.
They claimed that lis adoption would not
prohibit the federation from taking politi-
cal action whenever 1t deemed it necessary
70 do so, ank that the boyco;ts and strikes
are necessary weapons, the use of which
has done much good in the past in the way
of lettering the conditions of the wage
earneTs.
Chairman Schadt was the last sneaker.
lie favored the adoption of the preamble.
together with the resolution offered by the
carpenters providing for the presentation
OF labor candidates at election time
When at a late hour a vote was taken the
Fnruseth preamble was adopted by a vote
of AZ 10 H.