The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-12-17
The LABOR FEDERATION
No Congress Of the Delegates of
Labor in Chicago.
DEFEATED BY A LARGE VOTE.
That Was the Fate Which BefeIl the
Proposition-Report of the Committee
on Militia In Strikes--A Breezy Report
Evokes Lively Debate.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Dec. 17.-At yes
ton OF Labor convention the proposition
to hold a labor congress during the
Worlds Fair came up in the nature OF
unfinished business. After considerable
discussion, the proposition was defeated
by an overwhelming vote.
resolution was recommended that
stirred up lively debate. 1t related to
the action Of the president and executive
council requesting conference with the
Knights Of Labor unions. The many at
tacks OF the Knights of Labor against
trades unions, especially on the coal min
ers and shoemakers, were deplored. Ii
was said that all efforts TO heal the breach
while they were on the attack and the
Federation on the defensive, would only
be a waste Of time.
The committee recommended that the
highest duty of the Federation was to de-
lend the unions selected by the Knights
Of Labor for attack, and that the execu-
tive committee take such action as will
force this idea. The recommendation OF
the committee was finally accepted.
The special committee OF nine on mill
tia in strikes then reported. They said
The powers designed to rest with the peo-
ole as expressed in the national and state
governments were being diverted from
The purpose OF their authors and that the
masses have lost the powers guaranteed
them. "Unless q halt is called 1t will not
be long until liberty gives way to despot-
ism. Since the recent uses TO which the
troops have been subjected has been
brought about by allowing the people un
challenged to
Surrender Their Power.
we therefore believe that herein is the vi.
tai point of our grievances.
The following resolutions were then
proposed: "That the American Fedora
tion OF Labor and affiliated bodies demand
OF their respective legislatures the enact
ment of laws embracing one Of the follow
ing propositions: "First, they shall Gre
ate board OF commissioners, TO be select
cd by the people, and to consist of as
many members as there are congressional
districts in the state. The committee only
shall have power to call out the militia,
after investigation of the labor difficult
ties, In conjunction with the governor.
Second, that in cases of labor Difficult
ties, il shall be unlawful for the governor
to call out the militia for the suppression
OF the same except on petition signed
by at least one-fourth OF the qualified
voters OF the county wherein the trouble
may exist.
1--WE further recommend as a remedy for
he employment of Pinkertons or other
armed forces, thatiwe demand enactment
Of laws by the several states OF the Union
prohibiting non residents from serving as
peace officers.
Ii was also recommended that the Fed
Grafton refuse under any circumstances
to permit any member TO enlist under any
circumstances, in the national guard, and
that the mem bers now enlisted withdraw
as soon as they can lawfully do so, unless
one or the other OF the propositions here
in proposed be embodied in the state Jaws.
After Considerable Discussion
the recommendations OF the committee
we're stricken out and clause adopted
instead favoring the support OF labor rep
resentation in the administrative and leg
islative departments OF the national and
state governments and advising members
of the federation to see that the friends OF
labor command the militia rather thar
the friends OF capital.
At the afternoon session the committee
20 whom the proposition had been sub
mitted to esta blish sinking fund, re
ported favorably upon such fund Tor the
purpose OF supporting strikes and lock.
outs OF not less than $500, 900. The report
vas ordered referred TO the executive
NOuuCll Win lustfucllOlS 10 ptTltCt iue
details OF the plan and submb !: to the
affiliated unions.
A breeze arose when the committee on
law reported unfavorably on resolution
that delegates must be workers in the
,rade which they represent. In support
of the resolution Delegate Goldwater Of
Detroit, charged that men high in the
councils OF the federation were subordi-
mating the interests of labor in their own
personal advantage, and that II was
through the favor of the committee on
credentials that such delegates gained ad-
mission.
The chairman OF the credentials com
mittee explained that the committee rec
ognize home rule for each of the affiliated
lnions and their right TO choose such del
egates as they deemed proper Other del
egstes explained why they did not work
IN the crafts they represented. Others
called on Goldwater 10 state the name OF
he delegates he had attacked. Gold
water replied 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
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