Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-17
NO LABOR CONGRESS.
The Federation Next Year Will Hold
Only Its Usual Meeting.
STILL AT WAR WITH THE KNIGHTS.
Nilder Action on Militia Than the Com
mittee Recommended.
$sOO,OOO VOTED FOR FUTURE STRIKES

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 16.-At to-day's
session of the American Federation Of
Labor, the proposition to hold an inter-
national labor congress was defeated and
the Federation decided to meet pext year
at the usual time. The committee in
charge of the resolution to investigate the
differences between the Federation and the
Knights of Labor reported that it has been
proven that all efforts to heal the breech
between the two organizations while the
Knights continue their attacks on the Fed
Grafton are impracticable.
The report of the special committee
to whom were referred the numerous reso-
lutions concerning the employment OF
militia and other armed bodies during
labor troubles was then received. The re-
port, signed by seven of the nine members
found that the powers designed to rest with
the masses of the people, as expressed by
the Federal and State Constitutions and
the laws, have been diverted, and these
powers are usurped by.large corporations.
1t is declared that unless halt is called, it
will not be long until liberty gives place to
despotism.
The committee favored Board of Com
missioners on legislation, to limit the
powers of the Governor IN calling out
militia during labor troubles and that mem
bers of labor organizations be requested to
remain out of the National Guard of every
State unless one of these propositions be
embodied in the State laws
After considerable discussion, the recon-
mendations of the committee were stricken
out and clause adopted instead, favoring
the support of labor representation in the
administrative and legislative departments
of the National and State Governments,
and advising members of the Federation to
see that the friends of labor, rather than the
friends of capital, command the militia.
At the afternoon session, the committee
to whom the proposition had been submit
ted to establish q sinking fund, reported
favorably upon such fund for the purpose
of supporting strikes and lockouts, not less
than $500, ,OOO The report was ordered re-
terred to the Executive Council with in
structions to perfect the details of the plan
and submit it to the affiliated unions
Question of Representation.
A breeze arose when the Committee on
Laws reported unfavorably on a resolution
that delegates must be workers in the trade
WHICH IucH Represents III suppOib VI bhC
resolution, Delegate Goldwater, of De-
troit, charged that men high in the counsels
of the Federation are subordinating the in
terests of organized labor to their own per-
sonal advantage, and that it is through the
favor of the Committee on Credentials that
such delegates gained admission.
This brought the Chairman of the
Credentials Committee to his feet to ex-
plain that the committee recognized home
rule for each of the affiliated unions, and
their right to choose such delegates as they
deemed proper. Other delegates explained
why they did not work in the crafts they
represented. Others called on Goldwster
to state the names of the delegates be had
attacked. Goldwater contented himself
with the reply that he did not refer to the
present officers The report of the COM
mittee was finally adopted
Amendments to the constitution were
then taken up, and were under discussion
when the convention adjourned for the
daV.