Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-10
ACONGRESS OF LABOR.
Delegates Leaving for the Convention
of the Federation.
WILL TALK ABOUT HOMESTEAD.
A building Trade to Re Selected for the
battle-ground Of
THE COMING EIGHT-HOUR STRUGGLE

American Federation of Labor, to be held
in Common Council chamber at Philadel-
phia next Monday, is exciting much conf
ment in local labor circles. The local trades
unions are hustling so as to give the dele
gates from all parts of the country warm
welcome. 1t is expected there will be 100
or more in attendance. These will,represent
more than $50, 900 laborers in all branches of
industry in every part of the United States.
1t is not intended that there will be special
demonstration. though there will likely be
a banquet at the close of the convention.
The entire week will be taken up with the
deliberations, as some questions otvital I'M
portance to the labor world will receive
thorough discussion.
The stirring events of the past few
months, in which organized labor has
played so important part, have caused
general wakening up of all unions IN
every industry, so that more than usual
interest is attached to the coming
convention of the Federation of Labor.
Tuesday VIII Be Homestead Day.
Tuesday has been designated as "Home-
stead Day" by President Gompers and the
events that led to that great struggle and
the many causes introduced to bring about
the final result will receive special at
tention. The last day will be devoted to
the usual ''secret session. when no one but
delegates will be admitted.
The questions likely to be brought up for
special consideration will be the eight
hour law, restriction of immigration, the
sweating system, compulsory or voluntary
arbitration, State legislation to govern
labor interests, anti-Pinkertonism and
child labor. The foremost leaders in the
labor ranks are expected to be in attendance
Among these are ex-President Welhe,
of the Amalgarated Association; John
Mcbride, of Columbus. O., of the Miners
Progressive National Union; President W.
B. Prescott, of the International Typo
graphical Union; General Secretary John
B. Lennon, of the Custom Tailors; Thomas
Morgan. of Chicago, of the Machinlsts' Ma
tional Union; Joseph Barondess, of New
York, OF the Cloakmakers; Martin Fox, of
Cincinnati, of the Iron Molders; First Vice
President P. j. Mcclure, of the United
Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners OF
America; Josiah B. Dyer, of Concord, n.
H., Secretary of the Granite Cutters, and
many others who are high in the ranks of
organized labor.
Outlining the Conventions Work.
Ex-President Weihe, of the Amaigamated
Association, will leave for Philadelphia to-
morrow to be present at the opening of the
convention. Vice President w. A. Carney
leaves to-day, as he is a member of the
Executive Committee, which meets on Sum-
day to outline the policy of the convention.
1t is in the power of this committee to make
recommendations on the most important
questions and designate upon what partic-
ular trade the efforts of the Federation will
be centered to win some point demanded by
the men. 1t is thought the eight-hour law
will receive more than usual attention at
this convention, and that there will be an
effort all along the line to have the eight
hour rule become general during the coming
year.
The building trades are principally con-
cerned in this movement, and as they are
nearly all affiliated with the American Fed
Grafton of Labor, it devolves upon this
body to take the lead on this question.
AS it has been the custom adopted here
tofore by the Federation to select some par
ticular branch of labor for Its battle-ground,
it is thought the building trades will receive
attention this year and the battle be made
on the eight-hour law. The builders and
contractors all over the country are taking
q deep interest in the present convention,
as what is done will likely have an import
ant bearing on the coming years work.
Contractors Watching Its Action.
One contractor said to DISPATCH re-
porter: ''Wait until after next week, when
the Federation convention at Philadelphia
has adjourned, and I eau talk more intelli-
gently to you on the subject of eight hours
for a days work" This sentiment was
echoed by number of others in the same
industry and indicates the deep interest
being taken in this subject
Ex-President Weihe, when asked as to
what would probably be done on this ques-
tion next week, did not care to say much
about it. He said it would receive much
attention, as it had been earnestly consid-
cred by the Federation heretofore, and has
reached point where SOME more aggres-
sive moves will likely be taken. What
action would be taken he was not in posi-
tion to say.
"Will the Amalgamated Association
have any particular recommendation to
make?" was asked.
"The delegates were instructed at the
convention in June, and all that was neces-
sary was made public at that time
"How will Homestead likely be
treated?"
81 can't say, but it will come in for its
share of discussion, as there is so much
connected with it that it cannot be passed
by at this time"
Mr. Weihe did not care to commit him
self on the questions booked for the con-
vention, preterring to leave them to be de-
cided in the convention hall
THE RIVERMEN HAPPY.