The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1892-12-23
FEDERATION OF LABOR.
Ill-wili of the knights of Lsbor-No Aid
For a Worlds Fair Congress-The En-
pIoyment of Militia i'm Labor Troubles.


uI-wiu of the knights of Lsbor-No Aid
For worlds Fair Congress-The En-
| pIoyment of Militia i'm Labor Troubles.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. l7.-At yester-
DAYS session of the American Fedora
ton of Labor the proposition to hold a
labor congress during the worlds fair
| came up in the nature of unfinished
business. The proposition for the fed
Grafton to take any action toward as
sisting in worlds fair congress was
then defeated by an overwhelming vote.
Recommendations in the presidents
report were approved, including the
clauses relating to the woman organic
ers, whose work was complimented,
and relating to labor day. The COM
mittee recommended an appeal for the
establishment of a national labor day
in the districts and territories 1t was
voted to notify the president of the
United States of the action condemning
the employment of Chinese sailors by
! the Pacific Mail Steamship Co,
Here a resolution was recommended
that stirred up lively debate. 1t re-
lated to the action of the president and
executive council requesting confer
ences with the Knights of Labor unions.
The many attacks of the knights of
Labor against trades unions, and espe-
cially on local shoemakers, was de-
plored. It was said that all efforts to
heal the breach while they were on the
attack and the federation on the de-
| fensive would only be a waste of time.
taea
highest duty of the federation was to
| defend the unions selected by the
Knights of Labor for attack and that
the executive committee take such ac-
ton as will enforce this idea"
The recommendation of the commit
tee was finally adopted The special
committee of nine on the use of militia
in strikes then reported.
They said: UNLESS a halt is called
it will not be long until liberty gives
way to despotism. Since the recent
uses to which troops have been subject
| ed has been brought about by allowing
| the people unchallenged to surrender
their power, we therefore believe that
herein is the vital point of grievances. .
The following resolutions were then
proposed:
That the American Federation Of Labor and
affiliated bodies demand Of their respective
! legislatures the enactment OF laws embracing
| one of these propositions
First-They shall create a board of commits
! sioners TO be selected by the people, and e
consist Of as many members as there are con
| gressional districts in the state The commit
tee only shall have power to call out the militia
after investigation Of the labor difficulties IL
| conjunction with the governors.
| Second-1hat in case Of labor difficulties il
| shall be unlawful for the governor to call out
/ the militia for the suppression of the same, cN
| cept upon a petition signed by at least one
| fourth of the qualified voters Of the county
| wherein the trouble NAV exist.
| We further recommend as q remedy for tho
| employment Of Pinkerton or other armed
] forces, that we demand enactment Of laws hl
the several states OF the union prohibiting non
residents from serving as peace officers.
1t was recommended that the Fedora
! ton refuse, under any circumstances
to accept men in the national guard,
| and that the members now enlisted
withdraw as soon as they can lawfully
| do so. unless one or the other of the
| propositions herein proposed be en-
bodied in the state laws.
After considerable discussion, the
recommendations of the committee
were stricken out and clause adopted
instead, favoring the support of labor
representation in the administrative de
partments of the national and state
| governments and advising members oi
the federation to see that friends of la
Dor command the militia rather thar
| the friends of capital.