Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-08-08
DIRECT LEGISLATION.
Sentiment Of American
Federation of Labor.
BENEFIT WORKING GLASS;.
Plans of the Organization Outlined at
W-E Their Meeting ut Boston,

sity OF direct legislation by the people, the
delegates attending the eighth annual con.
vention of the state branch of the Ameri-
can Federation OF Labor were informed by
Delegate +. X. Foster, during yesterday
afternoons session, that direct legisla-
tion would dwarf the politician and mag.
nifty the everyday citizen"
Probably the most Important Question
that will come before the convention con.
Germs the advertisement of trade union
labels and increasing the demand for
union label products. This matter was
discussed at length, aud 10 was decided to
Issue what will be termed
Label BradstresG
In this publication will be given the loca-
tion of every trade using a trade label, the
membership Of each union, the occupation
OF the members, and their rates of wages.
1t was also decided TO place the publica-
tion OF the book In charge of a delegate
70 the American Federation of Labor, and
10 pay sufficient salary to ensure the
employment of man of superior ability.
The proposition OF the Boston Central
Labor union to hold a conference of New
England Central Labor unions was en-
horsed, with the amendment that the New
England state branches of the American
Federation OF Labor should be given rep
resentation In the conference
A motion was adopted empowering the
executive council to elect delegates to the
conference, providing the suggestion of
the convention should be acceptable to the
committee Issuing the call for the Central
Labor unions conference.
Delegate Foster, chairman of the leRis-
iative committee, next made report for
the committee. The report, which was of
some length, proved to be of great interest
20 the delegates, and was In part as fol-
lows:
Fosters Report.
Pursuant with the instructions received at
the last convention of this body, a beginning
has been made in the campaign for direct leg
islstion through the initiative and referen-
dunn. Petitions sent out for this measure re-
ceived hearty and practically unanimous
endorsement from our various affiliated
bodies, and we are Of opinion that the time
Is ripe for the Inauguration Of a concenti ated
and energetic effort for the advancement Of
this idea.
without entering into any extended dis
cussion as 10 the merits Of this measure, we
simply call your attention to the fact that by
It's attainment the wage earning classes would
fmmeasureably increase their influence upon
the law making powers and any reasonable
step In legislation which could successfully
stand the test Of publicity and discussion
could be taken.
From whatever standpoint IL is viewed, di-
rect legislation offers feasible, simple aud
safe plan of achieving the legislative saliva
tion of labor, destroying the insidious infiu-
ence Of the lobby aqd making the government
truly Que of the people.
We therefore recommend that the delegates
to this convention cooperate with the friends
OF this principle, wherever found, In the
formation of leagues for the agitation of and
education In this idea, that whenever possible
affiliated organizations devote at least a por-
tion of meeting In the near future to the
same cause.
We also recommend that candid ates for
legislative Office In this state be requested to
define their position upon this question, so
that organized labor may know those who are
In sympathy With popular government.
We recommend that the incoming legisla-
tive committee be directed by all Legitimate
means in its power to have the measure
brought prominently to the attention Of the
next legislature, with q view to securing the
adoption OF the necessary constitutional
amendment.
Our affiliated unions whose products bear .
union label have reason to congratulate them
selves upon label law, which, while not all
that could be desired, 10 yet an Improvement
over anything that before existed In this
state.
The various bills looking for shorter hours
for the factory women and children unhappily
met with defeat, and there was not that unan-
unity OF sentiment among the representatives
of the factory centers which is the prime es-
sential TO the further advance of this move
ment.
We are OF opinion that an appeal should be
made by this body to the organized labor of
the other New England states TO try and bring
their respective states to at least level with
Massachusetts, In the matter of factory laws.
This report was referred to proper CON-
mittees for digestion and subsequent rec
concentrations