The morning call., 1894-12-16
Burns Has the English
Itch.
LABOR TO BE HIS THEME
And the American Workingman
His Discovery.
The Federation Voted Down Plank
Ten by Big Majority After
Hot Discussion.


cal platform, was resumed in the conven-
ton of the American Federation of Labor
this forenoon. Delegate LLOYD OF Boston
moved to rerefer the plank to subordinate
unions. Patrick Mcbride, secretary of the
mine-workers, said he was willing to take
such action. He was instructed to vote
for the plank, but he hoped. if it was
voted upon, it would be defeated, "be-
cause" said be. sour side can accept de-
feat good-naturedly, and. from the dis
plays in this convention, l doubt if the
other side can" Treasurer Lennon sup
ported Lloyd's motion on the ground that
the vote of many unions on the platform
was not a representative one. Z. j. Nc
CURE made strong argument against re-
referring. He said the question had made
trouble enough in the unions. He was
once a socialist, but had become convinced
of the folly of the idea. Mr.. Morgan said
Mcclure had reflected upon him. He said
he got his first lessons in socialism from
Mcclure. when he was an organizer for
the Socalist-Labor party. He was in
rags" said Morgan. 81 was ashamed of
his personal appearance"
Amid cries of "Sname," the speaker
was called TO order by the chairman, who
ruled the floor was forfeited. Morgan ap-
pealed from the decision, and the chair
was sustained. Delegate Pomeroy made
vigorous address against socialism. He
said the greatest need OF the day was the
abolition of that un-American organiza-
ton, the A. P. A. He strongly advocated
the single-tax theory.
Delegate Daley of the Lasters' Union
IL II 4, b. a
by his union to vote for the political pro-
gramme entirely, the abolition of the
preamble he considered released him from
the obligation and be would vote against
plank 10.
Delegate Patrick Mcbride asked the
question: considering that national
unions have individual autonomy. can
this convention obllgate them to. a plat
form against the wishes of their men,
bers?" The chair asked time to consider
the question.
W. d. Mahon of the street railway en-
ployes stated that although he had been
instructed 10 vote for the plank he should
vote against it. He was a socialist, but
had no desire to cram his ideas down any,
body's throat. and be objected to having
his union torn up for the next two years
by useless discussion. Lee NJ. Hart of
the Stage Employees Alliance announced
that il plank 10 was adopted his union
would Withdraw from the federation.
The president. in answer to Mr.. Nc
Brides question. said that resolutions
passed by the federation, though pre-
sumed to be observed by the integral
unions. could not be made obligatory.
h.; v,t-
rerefer, reviewed trades unionism in
England. He said: when American
workingmen have secured the unity that
exists in England they may begin to talk
of cooperative commonwealth" He re-
ferred in detail to the cooperative institu-
tions of England. He said the introduce
ton Of plank 10 into the platform of the
trades unions would drive away much OF
their support.
Mr.. Cohen OF Denver spoke in favor of
the iree-land amendment, which he said
was the doctrine of philosophic anarchy.
At IL As o'clock the convention adjourned
for recess.
When the afternoon session opened the
charges preferred against President Com
pers by the German Walters Union No. 1
and the Bartenders' Union No. 50 of New
York, regarding the use of a non-uni on
hall In New York for dinner to John
Burns and Holmes on December last,
were taken up. After hearing the evil
dence 10 the case the convention, with one
dissenting vote, sustained the president.
Gompers, in his own defense, reviewed
the arrangements for the dinner to John
Burns and David Holmes on December Z,
for which Clarendon Hall was used. He
said that upon investigation he found there
was not a hall in New York that could be
secured that employed union men. The
whole reason" said Mr.. Gompers, "that
these waters in Clarendon Hall are called
seceders is because they refused to join
that corrupt organization known as the
Knights of Labor"
The previous question was called up on
the motion to refer the plank relating to
the collective ownership of all means of
production and distribution by the people
to the affiliated organization to be again
voted upon, and the motion to refer was
lost.
The proposition of the Government
establishing a savings bank in connection
with the Postofjce Department was de-
feated by large majority. and the ques-
ton then required upon the substitution
for plank 10 of plank providing for til G
abolition of the land monopoly ownership,
and substituting occupancy and improve
ment as the only guarantee of title, which
was ad ped.
s plank was adopted favoring the re-
peal of the seamen conspiracy laws. Dele
gate Morgan offered an additional plank
providing for the private aud corporate
ownership of all means of production and
distribution, which was laid on the ia BILE.
A plank was adopted favoriDg the ssu-
ance of all money direct to the people by
the Government.
The question Of adopting the resolutions
and indorsing the entire political platform
was defeated. The result was considered
an overwhelming defeat to the socialistic
element.
John Burns was introduced and in a
brief speech babe the delegates of the corr
vention a formal good-by. He gave the
federation word of advice and urged the
elimination Of all men who were not men,
bers in actual trades and duly accredited
delegates. He stated that he intended 10
put into book form his Impressions of the