The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-14
STORM OF ORATORY
SPEECHES MADE AT THE FEDORA
TIOx OF LABOR CONVENTION.
Debates on Socialism, Postomce Saw
fngs Banks, gu. ;. Mafl' Signs on
Street Cars and Other Matters.

NEW YORK. Dec. 1s.-The invitation to
the Federation Of Labor to send delegates
to the international Socialist Congress to
be held at London in August next, created
a storm OF oratory in the convention this
afternoon. Many thought the federation
should not recognize such a body, and
others believed that there could be no harm
in being represented at the convention. One
delegate feared that If delegates were sent
to England they would not be admitted to
the congress. A motion was made to refer
the matter to the committee on affiliated
bodies. American Delegate Barnes, a So
cialist, said 1t was in keeping with the
principles OF the body 70 extend the hand
of fellowship. and the federation should send
delegates. The federation will some day, he
said, nave TO recognize Socialists. Delegate
Pomeroy said that the Socialists were not
out for compromise, but simply defeat. The
trade unionists would never recognize the
Socialists. Mr.. Pomeroy was still talking
when the hour for adjournment arrived,
and the matter will come up for discussion
tomorrow.
A resolution that caused much debate at
the morning session was one that urged
that. in view of the fact that the savings
Of the working people were subject to loss
through indiscreet investments on the part
of the managers Of savings banks, the fed
Grafton memorable Congress in the inter-
ests Of establishing savings institutions in
connection with the Postofiice Department.
1t was urged that the poor had absolutely
no safe places in which to deposit their saw
ings, and they never had money enough
to open an account in a national bank.
though they had but little more protection
in case of failure, and were compelled to go
to the savings banks. where. it was alleged.
they had absolutely no redress in case of
loss. Postal savings bank. it was also ar
gued, would do away with the need of bond
Of bankers. Other speakers said that there
had already been too much financial legis-
lation, and that the remedy was in less leg
islation instead OF more.
The committee on resolutions reported I'M
favorably q resolution against the carry
Ing OF mails on the street cars until they
are controlled by the government. The OBJ
1ect of the resolution was to free street.
railroad employees from the obligations i'm
posed on them by the federal laws. which
restrict the right Of men employed by cor
porations carrying the malls to strike. In
the event of a strike Of street car employees
of roads carrying the mails, the men. it
was commended. would be subject to arrest
for obstructing the malls. After a long de-
bate, 1t was voted to ~nonconcur. and the
resolution was adopted. TIL street cars
In Denver bear the sign, "U. S. Mail" and
one delegate said that a good portion of the
cars never had or probably never would
carry the mails. This was to prevent the
progress OF the rights Of the -workingmen,
he argued. -
Treasurer Lannon presented a resolution
on a special tax for garments brought into
this country from foreign countries. The
argument that followed resulted in the con-
currence In the report of the committee,
which was against the resolution.
Bakers Union, spoke on the resolution re-
| garding the sanitary regulation of bake
shops. He said the arrangements in some
OF the shops In this city and other large
George Z. Mcneil, of Boston. OF the COM
mittee on the eight-hour question, made a
movement in favor Of the eight-hour work
day was deemed unwise, but that the exc
cutive committee should select one or more
of the best conditioned organizations TO
Labor. and not capital, should determine
the length of the work day, and labor should
or the power of the courts. The report was
approved.
L. III. Diehi, secretary of the committee
on presidents report. made a report; After
sections. That portion dealing with. con-
tracts made with employers was discussed
at length. The prevailing sentiment was
the letter. no matter what the conse-
| quences might be. The subject came TO a
vote. and 1t was decided TO lay the matter
on the table.
End of the H~ousesmiths' Strike.
NEW YORK. Dec. 1S&The strike of the
housesmiths. which began on Nov. is, has
terminated in a decided victory for
the Iron League. An agreement has
been signed by j. b. & ]. NJ. Cor
nell & Co. and the United House
smiths and Bridgemen's Union, the latter
retracting it's demands for recognition by
the Iron League. and an increase of % cents
in the wage scale. The terms OF the agree
| ment will not be made public. either by the
leaders OF the strike or the Cornell people.
OF the 100 men who quit work on the Sic
street and Sixth avenue. when the strike
began, only about fifty win be taken back.
The nonunion men nov employed on the
building will not be discharged.