The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-09-27
The Trade-Unlon Congress at Belfast.

This year the trade unions OF the United
Kingdom have held their annual congress
In the Irish city OF Belfast. This meeting
has been watched with more than ordinary
interest. on account Of it's being contem-
poraneous with the great coal strike and
with the rejection Of the Home Rule bill by
the Lords, and because Of the known inten-
tlou Of the Socialists to demonstrate their
progress toward control Of organized labor
in Great Britain and Ireland.
Although the trade unionists represent
only fraction OF the working people Of
Great Britain. 1t Is fraction which is very
influential. and which the politicians Of both
parties are accustomed to treat with much
respect. The nature OF the social-econom-
ical views held by them Is. therefore. OF
obvious Importance. There Is no doubt
vealed themselves plainly in the last con-
gress. have now become more widespread
and preponderant. The leaders of the
meeting which has just taken place were Mr..
JOHN BURNS. Mr.. BEN TILLErT. and Mr..
kerr HARDIE. spokesman Of the New
Unionists." name invented to describe
those who contend that Socialist doctrines
should at least be fused with those OF old
fashioned unionism. il they do not super
sede them altogether. The ascendancy OF
these men. whose purposes are substantial
ly identical with those Of the Paris collec-
twists. is shown by the attitude of
the congress toward compulsory eight
hour day. The new unionists insist
that Parliament shall pass an act i'm
posing an eight-hour day upon all trades.
with the provso that any trade may be ex-
emDted from the operation OF the act II a
majority OF its organized members declare
against the limitation. The old-fashioned
unionists. on the other hand, would have
the act operate upon any given trade only
after majority Of its organized members
have called for 1t. At the last Trade Union
Congress the principle Of permlssive ex-
emption favored by the Socialists, OBJ.
tanned 206 votes against los votes given for
the more conservative principle OF permits
sive adoption. This year. however, the
Socialists succeeded In reatlrming their de-
mand by an overwhelming majority, the
vote being 1877 to IS. The eventual effect OF
such vote on politicians may be in
ferred from the fact that the Miners
Eight-hour bill has already had second
reading in the House OF Commons. and that
ing for the support OF organized labor. That |
the trade unioDists are. for the present,
disposed to stand by Mr.. GLADSTONE seems |
evident from their refusal to accept Mr.. |
kerr HARDIE's resolution that the Labor !
party should be wholly independent OF both |
Liberals and Tories. But. while the Parlia- |
mentary representatives OF the Labor party |
may be Gladstonians. they must. 1t seems,
be Socialists. For. after the congress had |
to organize fund for the assist |
ance OF Labor candidates. it passed resolu-
ton that such assistance should be given to |
no candidate who did not pledge himself to
support the principle OF collective owner
ship and control OF all the means OF pro-
duction." That is. OF course. u downright
OF British trade unonlsm 10 the
principle OF socialism.
favorite proposal of the old-fashioned
trade unionists was the appointment OF
Government boards empowered to arbitrate
In disputes between work people and their
employers. The present congress, however,
resolved by a unanimous vote that IL would
view with the gravest apprehension the in
Stitution OF such arbitration boards, unless
they were to have a compulsory right OF
access to the books Of the employers inter-
ssted. In the case. on the other hand OF
disputes between trade unions themselves,
The congress highly approved OF the prlnc-
pie OF arbitration; and, evidently having in
view the refusal OF the miners of Durham
md Northumberland to take part I'm
he present coal strikes. unanimously
resolved that 1t was the duty of
all the unions in given trade to sub
nit questions in dispute to an arbitra-
Ion board. whose decision should be bind.
ng. Among other resolutions similarly
,arried was one that the Government
ought to introduce bill compelling
III municipalities. county councils. school
boards. and other public bodies. to insert In
very contract for work stipulation that
rade-union rates OF wages should be paid.
With the same unanlmity another social
site principle was adopted; that it should
10 compulsory on the part OF all sanitary
authorities to supply. wherever the need