The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-13
TALKS TO UNIONISTS
SPEECHES MADE BEFORE AMER
ICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR.
Addresses by Members of the w. C. T.
Others-Resolutions Adopted.

NEW YORK, Dec. 12.-when the fourth
days session Of the fifteenth annual con-
vention of Federation OF Labor opened not
over fifty delegates were present. Several
reports were presented. The secretary read
a communication from the Trade and Labor
Assembly Of Chicago, saying that the lack
of harmony among the trades unions of
Chicago was due TO the interference OF
lawyers and others who sought TO make
capital and fat fees out OF the labor move
ment. and requesting that the incoming
executive council OF the federation appoint
a committee to establish the labor move
ment in Chicago on a sound basis. The
letter was referred to a special committee.
Chairman klipitzky. OF the rules commit
tee, reported on a resolution approving OF
the bill Of the BARRIERS Sunday closing law
In this State n Illinois, and asked the
federation to aid in extending the law in
other States. 1t was adopted.
A communication from the type-setting
machine engineers, which asked for fewer
work hours. caused some m The
rules committee decided to have the mat
ter settled by the convention. 1t was
claimed that this body of men should come
under the head of typographical union or
the machinistS union.
A communication was read from George
Francis Train, who desired to address the
convention. On motion of delegate Pom
eroy, of Chicago, his offer was accepted,
and Mr.. Train viii be notified of the time
he Will be expected.
F. l.. Sargent. chief of the brotherhood
of Locomotive Firemen, was called on for
a speech, which he made. He said he
hoped that the day would come when all
classes of workmen would be united in one
body.
William f. Derainger, of Biographical
Union No. 6, who has been appointed medi,
ator between Hackett,, Carhart 4 Co. and
reported that his efforts in that direction
had been successful.
Eltmeed Pomeroy then addressed the con-
vention. While arguing that the federation
should not be made a political organiza-
ton, he said its members should. however,
study politics, that they might take intelli,
gent action on matters that concerned
them. The government of this country to-
day, he said, is neither republican nor DEM
ocratic. but plutocratie; Labor could not
bar the way. Direct legislation would bring
out the latent intelligence and stregnth OF
the people, and then the people would be
responsible for their own progress and for
the broadening of free institutions.
Samuel Gompers submitted a lengthy re-
port port of f9e y.s to 81 the niB BrItish af trades COUNCIL
convention at Cardiff, Wales, last Septem-
Der.
Among the Miscellaneous business intro
duced was the approval OF a proposition to
appoint a Cancellation or arbitration COM
mittee for the purpose Of bringing about
a settlement Of the labor union dinerences
in Chicago.
1t was announced that an agreement had
been effected between the Boot and Shoe
Workers Root N sbS Shoe enl Wor Sea tn nn,o Ame Of
Chicago, whereby the latter Will use the
label. This means In all probability that
the two will be combined as one.
President Mcbride stated that four ladies,
representing the National Woman's Chris
tian Temperance Union. were present and
would address the convention. ne tnen IN.
w. c. u. l.. She said she came TO bring
the greetings of Miss Frances f. Willard.
president OF the National Women's Chris
tian Temperance Union, who, through the
delegation, took the members of the con-
vention by the hand in kindly sympathy.
This greeting came from the world IN.
aSmuch as Miss Willard is president of
the international union. The Federation OF
Labor and the ". c.. T. L. mad many pur-
poses i'm common and through the well-di-
rected efforts of the federation this country
would take first rank in the industrial
world. Mrs. Burt spoke Of the serious re-
suits of liquor among the working classes
consider Ii. Mrs. j. II. W. Stuckenberg,
national superintendent of the department
of temperance and labor of the w: c. I.
u, of Cambridge, Mass, spoke at some
length on the questions Of her society. She
said the laboring people had much to do
to look after the liquor question. Mrs.
Emile D. Martin. national superintendent
of the department of purity in literature
and art, and Mrs. Francis J. Barnes. ma,
tional superintendent of young women's
subjects. 1t was voted to have the speeches
of the first two representatives printed in
the official organ of the federation.
T.. j. Cowley, the English representative
of the miners union, was then called to
the platform. He said he had good news
for the people and that was that a big
strike of ship builders in Scotland had
at last been settled and the capitalists
have failed. The terms are an increase
OF wages now and again In February. Mr.
Convey said he believed in unionism anG
because of it he was here. He had fought
In his country for years and as a result
he is satisfied that unionism is the only
logical conclusion a man can come to after
consideration: In closing he said: 81 hope
the time will come when these two. Eng.
disappearing people shall become united or
the one common ground against our en-
J. Mawdsiey.. the other English represent
tative, and who comes from the Mule
was then introduced. He said he would moi
talk on sentiment, as there has beer
enough of that so far this week. He fell
pretty sure that if he was a capitalist he
would be as wicked as the other capital
lists. And every other man In the hall, he
thought. would be the same. The men who
work for their own betterment should work
on business lines. They should talk more
about pounds, shillings and pence thar
ed to be on an equal footing with capita
they must get down TO practical business
methods. In his trade the workers made z
liberal subscription weekly, and whenever
the employers were ready 10 strike ths
workers were ready for them. Political
freedom means nothing for the workmer
without business organization. The speak.
er deprecated the quarrels between the 80.
cialists and other organized worknen
Though the two organizations might differ
as 10 methods OF accomplishment, thtil
objects were practically the same. WIZ
not work together and adopt the besf
means. no matter by whom suggested. ~
fast as they present themselves? The best
advantages should be the main object, ani
If the workers OF the world were the mel
they ought 10 be they would get them.
The special committee appointed 10 brins
about a settlement of the Chicago dificil
ties made a report that a committee Ct
two of the executive council should go e
Chicago and settle the difficulties. The Ia
Dor bodies or that city are at odds, and al
effort was made 10 have the matter aires
before the convention. One faction. ieadcC
by delegate Pomeroy. objected, while eth
ers were of the opinion that delegate DoGl,
be granted an opportunity TO state The sit
uation of affairs. Three motions wer,
made on the subject. One was TO isfel
back to the committee; another TO consi lei
the question In executive session. ana an
other to give Dould the floor. After mIci
argument on both sides the report OF TIA,
committee was adopted, and a
or two VIII investigate and try TO bring
about a settlement OF the difficulties.
\ great batch OF resolutions were referred
to appropriate committees. among Others