Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-13
FEDERATION OF LABOR.
Lively Discussion of the Matter OF Print.
ing the world's-FAir Catalogue.
fRv tclerrAph 20 the DepAtcbl

PuIrApRLPTn,, PA, December 12.--The twelfth
annual convention Of the American Federation
Of IAbor was called TO order tsls morning by
President tiompets Sevcnty-nve delegates
we're present, representing 100000 tTadesmen
OF all KiAds.
George L. Chance. president OF typographical
Union, No. >, delivered the address Of welcome.
In his remarks he deprecated the condition of the
work ngman IA Pennsylvania by reason OF the
low wages paid and said the laws OF tho nation
and state are partly responsible Tor the existing
state Of Affairs.
President Gompers responded and said he de-
sired 20 express his appreciation Of the warning
note sounded IN Pennsylyania.
John SwintOn. OF New York, made half.
hours address. in vhlcn he also declared that
sufferers from labor strife, should be pensioned
just as are veterans Of the Union army.
homae j. Eiderkin, general president and
treasurer 81 the Lake Seamen's Benevolent
Association Of Chicago, presented a resolution
protesting againsi the awarding of the printing
Of the World 's-Fsir catalogue to the W. X.
COnkey Company, OF Chicago, g distinctly non
union oflce. This matter raised the hveliest
KIND Of n discussion, and as t was without the
Oficial seal OF the International typographical
D. Mon or OF tho Chicago typographical Union
President GOmpcrs, who hAd previously re-
g ened the chair 10 Fice-ffesident hc0uire, OF
Philadelphia, raisod the point OF order that un-
less the resolution was received unanimously II
Was out Of order. Tho Chair decided the point
well taken. aud 10 was sustained.
lh~ convention Adoli'l Ilb IuloS OF inc Dir
mingham ,Ala.) convention last year, but sus-
pended the rules temporarily 20 that Delegate
Eferkin and the International Typographical
delegates could confer on the COnkey Company
resolution 6nd report.
President Gompers then began reading his re-
port. aud 81 its conclusion the committee that
had considered the Chicago protest came In, but
they had not agreed upOn the wording OF the re-
solution. An amendment was offered 10 strike
out the word "union" and insert far and
this started a general discussion. Tho majority
Of the international typographical Union dele
gates favored fair on the ground that o
union once vas necessarily fair" one, and
that the milder word would have more weight
with the World 1's-talr directors.
President Gonpers adnonished the delegates
20 abide by the suggestions oi the international
typographical Union Delegates because OF their
interests being particularly involved. This was
not needed. however. for by a vote OF 30 to 20
tho convention decided 10 retain the word
"uui0n.' The resolutions as adopted read:
"Wbereas u having come TO our knowledge
that the directors OF the Worlds Columbian TX
position are about 10 let the contract for the
large and important work Of printing the cata-
lOguc for sad exposition : and whereas, we are
led to believe from published accounts in the
daily press tbat 10 ID contemplated 10 let the
sqid contract % a non-union Chicago hfm; aud
whereas, the Chicago Typographical Jnlon has
displayed the most friendly spirit tOWari the
Worlds Columbian Exposition and was the frst
body of organized labor 70 purchase stock IN tie
World's-Falr company; therefore, be It
" hes0.rs0, That tue American fcderhtOn Cl
Labor, also friendly 10 tho fair, earnestly pro-
test against the awarding OF the above contract
e. any bat recognized union otticc.'
Tonight the resolutions were telegraphed "a
Chicago, and to- morrow they will be laid before
the Ways and Meaus Committee OF the Column
blan Exposition in the hope OF influencing that
body lu awarding the contract for the printing
Of the catalogue
The report OF Secretary Chris. Evans OF New
YORK, was then read. IL shows the total receipts
during the past year to have been S25,9gO, and
the total expenses SlS,324, leaving balance IN
the treasury Of ,66b.
At O'Clock the convention adjourned until
O'Clock Tomorrow morning.