The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-10-03
AMALGAMATED TRADES.
An Interesting Meeting Of
the Labor Unions.
THE PROPOSED FEDERATION.
It II Thought That the Opposition to the
Proposed Plan Will be Over.
come Soon.

! The second meeting Of the committees Of
the various labor organizations, which have
charge of the proposed amalgamation of the
| various trades unions OF this city into one
central body. was held yesterday.
J. A. Sheehan of Sacramento was in the
| chair and the meeting was a very lengthy
one.
The Sacramento delegation, which
started the movement, was present. and so
were the delegates from the Federated
Trades and from the Building Trades
Council.
The proposition is to abolish both these
organizations and join them into new fed
GRAFTON. which is to embrace every one Of
the unions now affiliated with either, and
all the so-called outside" unions.
There were many representatives of the
various trades unions present at the meet
ing and Trades Hall, at 1859 Mission street,
hardly ever held an assemblage of more
earnest men than it did yesterday.
Organized labor must do something to
gain the recognition IL is entitled to In this
city," said one of the delegates to a CALL
reporter who was present, and by uttering
that sentence he expressed the sentiment of
all present.
Everybody is painfully aware that II
uniOnisn is to have standing in San Fran
cisco in the future it must rally its forces
and be united
Secretary Roxburg of the Federated
Trades reported that at recent meeting,
out Of thirty-two unions affiliated with the
federation only two voted against the pro-
posed amalgamation.
But Secretary Mills of the Building
Trades had a different report to make.
he stated that his organization was COM
posed OF thirteen unions, eight of which
were opposed to the plan. while only two
were in favor Of Il and three had not de-
cided one way or the other.
The plan OF joint organization as proposed
was then read.
II is as follows:
First-That all central bodies shall cease to
exist.
second-That there shall be formed in the city
Oh San Francisco new central BODY. as follows:
Each union shall send representatives. one for
the charter and one additional for eacn 100
members or majority fraction thereof: but no
union to have more than ten representatives In
said council.
The said council shall be divided Into sections
representing trades allied TO each other, such as
the building trades. the iron trades, the leather
trades the printing trades, The liquid and luxury
trades, the food trades, the waterfront trades
and the clothing statesmen aud miscellaneous
trades.
Any matter regarding particular trade or in
dusify shall first be considered in the section 10
which such trade or industry belongs, either by
reference or by being first brought there for con-
sidrratiou.
Each section shall. out OF Its own membership,
elect an executive committee OF seven members,
ana shall also elect one member to the executive
committee OF the council, and one additional
member II The unions composing such section
have membership OF 1000 or more.
Then followed long discussion Of the
reasons why the unions of the Building
Trades Council opposed the scheme.
Many speakers claimed that some Of the
unions affiliated with that body were not
friendly TO the cause; that they are trades
aristocrats. who would rather see their
fellow unlonists ruined than Join them in a
common cause.
Personalities were INDUCED In frequently,
and the old "one-man power" fight. which
| for years has been prominent factor, was
again brought up.
Secretary Miles Farland vaialy tried to
| pour oil upon the troubled waters when the
| discussion grew heated.
The delegates were on their mettle and
| they were bound TO have their say.
Sheehan OF Sacramento made an eloquent
appeal for unity and harmony.
He said the eyes of the organized laboring
| men OF the whole Pacilc Coast-yes of the
whole United States-were riveted upon
| San Francisco.
He could not for moment entertain the
| idea which seemed in his opinion to pre-
| vail among the unions that refuse to vote
| for amalg amation.
Selfish motives. personal jealousies and
when matter of so vast Importance is un-
der discussion, said he.
And then he scored the men who are agi-
| tating the opposition to the amalgamation.
| He showed by historical examples aud by
| statistics that every time organized labor
| has received severe blow IL was always
| the fault of the dissensons in their own
ranks.
| Sheehan's speech was we'll received and
| made marked Impression.
One OF the building trades delegates said
| ne thought that the unions WHO were OPP
| posed to the scheme did not understand the
| situation and when matters were explained
to them more fully they would vote differ
| emily
Joost of Sacramento, Furuseth OF the
| sailors union, Edgar of the Building Trades
| Council, and many others spoke on the SUBJ
| jeet.
| Alfred Thurman made speech, saying
that ne had no desire to have anything to do
| with the new federation.
He disclaimed all intention on his part to
! become an officer, leader or an advisor,
unless his services were required and
| needed, In which latter case he would be
| willing to do all he could to help In the
cause.
AT a late hour in the afternoon the meet
| Ing authorized the chairman to appoint a
| committee of seven-five from San Fran
| cisco and two from Sacramento-to take the
| agitation OF the scheme in hand and to adj
| vOcate Its accomplishment by personal Wis
| It's to the opposing unions and by the dis
| tribution of circular letters.
The committee Will meet on Sunday to
| formulate It's plans.
The meeting then adjourned to'the call of