Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-16
LABOR AT THE FAIR.
The Federation Votes in Favor of Its
Being Open on Sunday.
TIE MOVEMENT FOR A CONGRESS
To Be Held in Jackson Park in 1898 Being
Debated Pro and Con.
A RESOLUTION ON JUDGES CHARGES

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 15.-At the fourth
days session of the American Federation
OF Labor this morning, a communication
was received from the Grand Foreman of
the International Association of Machinists
Of the United States and Canada, asking an
audience. 1t was referred to a committee
Another communication from the Pennsyl-
vania Peace Society, now in session here,
informed the session that the labor ques-
tion is under discussion and invited dele
gates to attend one of the meetings
A resolution from the Furniture Work
ers' Union, authorizing a cancellation of
81, 500 loan granted by the Federation to
the striking furniture workers, was op-
posed by President Gompers, the Amalga-
mated men and others, but it was vigor-
ously advocated by delegates whose unions
desired similar favors, amounting in all to
So, 800. A raid on the treasury seemed i'm
mnent when brass band in the street be-
low came to the rescue and drowned the
demands of some of the most vociferous
claimants.
Donations to Struggling Unions.
Finally, after an hours discussion, the
previous question was carried, and on roll
call the donation to the furniture workers
was refused-955 to !, 112. Other applications
from the tanners and curriers', quarrymen,
German typographical and electrical work
ers were then taken up. The first two were
granted donations. and q reconsideration
was ordered in the case of the furniture
workers, who were. granted the cancellation
Df their debt. No formal request having
been made by the typographical or cleo
trical workers, no action was taken upon
their loan.
Miss Mary Kenny, the only female dele
gate in the Federation, introduced resolu-
tions favoring woman's franchise and pro-
lection against accident from machinery on
which women are employed. Resolutions
were also introduced as follows:
For the organization of plush workers in
America; to boycott the National Brewing
Company, San Francisco, and George
Ehret's New York Companies: against con-
vict labor; for orGaniZation of core makers;
Tor abolition of Sunday slavery for BARRIERS;
TO secure legislation prohibiting Judges
from directing juries to bring in verdicts.
A Vote in Favor of Sunday Opening.
The report of the committee to whom
President Gompers' reports had been re-
ferred, was taken up. The committees
concurrence in most of the recommends
tions were approved, until the clause favor
Ing the opening of the Worlds Fair on
Sunday was reached. Miss Kenny, of the
Shirt Ironers, opposed it, on the grounds
that it is an intrenchment on the working
peoples right to day of rest and was sup
ported by the representatives of the Bar
bers' International Union, Chicago Trades
Assembly and others. The hotel and res
taurant employees and other delegates
favored the opening of the Fair on Sunday.
The Presidents recommendation favoring
Sunday opening was finally Endorsed by the
vote Of so delegates to 10 against, or GIL
TO 297 by the unit system of representation.
-Four other delegates afterward came and
voted for Sunday opening, making 1913 in
its favor.
On the recommendation to establish an
Official journal of the Federation, much
opposition developed and the project was /
defeated. |
The question of labor congress at the |
Worlds Fair was brought up by the recon-
mendation that the constitution be altered |
so as to hold the next meeting during the
last week in August. Delegate Weissman,
the radical representative of the Bakers |
Union, strenuously opposed the project as
impracticable, owing to the wide differences !
Of aims and opinions between the working |
people of America and other countries. |
Others objected because of the great ex- |
pense involved. To test the sense of the |
Federation, a motion was offered that the |
organization participate in the Interna- |
tioual Labor Conference in 1893 At the |
hour OF adjournment the discussion was
still in progress.