Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-30
A LABOR. CONG ESS
Coming Convention Of the American Fed
Grafton.
Questions to BE Discussed Mt the
Gathering in New YOrk-A Pro-
II
posed Eisht-HOur Day.

| The movement to organize here a branch
| of the American Federation of Labor has
given special local interes. to the proceed
ings of the annual convention of the feder-
alton to begin in the city of New York De-
cember 8.
| 1t is expected that the convention will
comprise from 125 TO 100 delegates, and will
be the largest convention of the American
Federation of Labor that has ever been
| held The increased number of delegates
| who are looked for, there having been but
| eighty-five in the last convention, indicates
| to a certain extent the revival of trade
| upon substantial lines. This is compare
| lively few delegates for a constituency of
| nearly 100000 members, but the basis has
| been placed on scale that secures a rep
| resentative rather than a large and posi-
| bly, unwicldy body. Organizations having
| membership of 1000 or less have one del
! esate in the convention. Those above 1000
| and UP to 5000, two delegates; of 5000,
three delegates; $4,000, four delegates; 64,-
| COO or more, five delegates, but no orgdniza-
| ton can have more than the latter number.
| ut has been proverbial," said Vice Presi-
dent Duncan of the American Federation Of
Labor to a Star reporter. 'of trade unions
| during the recent depression that those
societies which had the hest organization
withstood the innovations of dull times and
| low wages much better than did those not
| so well off in this regard.
with this fact pateat to the convention,
| it is expected that body will legisate upon
matters along the lines of Organization
| rather than following any particular ism
| that may be put forward by twentieth CEN
| fury reformers.
The Presidency.
President Mcbride Will be a candidate
for reelection, and ex-President Samuel
Corners and perhaps others will seek cleo
| ton to the head of the order.
| The general impression among the dele
gates is that Mr.. Mcbride will be re-elect-
| ed This will result not from a want of
| appreciation of the abilities of Mr.. Gompers
or any other candidate, but from an un-
| written law among labor organizations
| that If an officer performs his duty faith
| fully he is entitled to a reelection as an
| Endorsement Of such performance of duty
| Mr.. McBriGe's sickness. allied to the de-
preston in financial affairs, which had it's
effect on the A. F. of l.. treasury, as well
as other business affairs, has prevented
| him from making a full display of his
| organizing abilities and his activity as an
| executive officer
/ which has come before previous conven-
lions the delegates were pclled, which gave
| the representatives of large organizations
one vote for every one hundred members
| they represent, while state declarations,
| central bodies, city federationS or local
| unions affiliated with the a. F. of L. had
but one vote. whateve. their membership
might be, ard this course will be followed
| at the coming convention.
| This gives the large national trades
| unions all the say in the election of Off
GERS. well in other important ques-
tons that may come before the couven-
ton. rr.rr
| The Eight-HOur Question.
| THE question of the recognition of the
| eight-hour day will be of the leading
| topics discussed at the convention. Many
| Of the delegates favor a declaration that
| the y. F. of L. desires the establish
r'ent of an eight-hours day for all classes of
wage earners, the date to be fixed at per-
haps May /, 1891. inasmuch as the time
would be too short between the adjournment
of the convention and May l, 1896 to edu-
cate tie people of the country to believe
that the granting of this would be but a
simple act of jus tice 10 the toilers
This question is expected to assume
more than ordinary prominence owing to
the fact thai some of the old and coIiserva-
tive labor leaders believe thai it would not
be in ACCORDANCE with the Constitution of
the United States for Congress to legislate
in favor of an absolute esht-hour day
Ihese conservatives claim that it would
be an infringement Of the rights of the in
dividual to declare by law that he shall not
work more than eishtuhoufs per day.
"On the other hand. the men who favor
such a declaration point to the act of the
late trades union congress. held in Sep
tcmber at Cardiff, Wales and which was
thoroughly representative of trades unions
thought throughout the British isles The
Cardiff convention. by 4 nearly unanimous
vote declared in favor of a parliamentary
and therefore legal, work day of not over
eight hours.
This question assumed definite shape in
the Denver convention of last year through
lengthy debate upon the legality of the
eight-hour day. which was participated in
by such well-known leaders as Adolph
Strasser of the Cigar Makers Union Hen
l nan Of 1,nl-n
non of the tailors. against the proposition
and Henry D. Lloyd of the carpenters Jas
Duncan. the general secretary of the Gran
itc Cutters National Union. and John PEN
ma of the United Mine Workers, in favor
OF it. The friends of the measure were sue
cessful IN convincing the convention that
they were right by a to 1 vote when the
ballot was tallen, and the delegates were in
structed to bring the subject before their
constituents during the present year, and
report the result at the coming convention.
Other Laws Wanted.
"Ihe Denver convention also directed the
| executive council which was elected last
year and which is at present in authority
| to prepare for presentation to Congress a
hill for the protection of trade marks and
! labels, to be known as a uniform label
| law: also a bill for restricting the juris-
dictto1 of courts of the United States in
proceedings for contempt, and these mat
ters are now receiving the serious consider
alton of those to whom they We're re-
ferred The council is ably assisted by a
/ prominent constitutional lawyer in Ct,ca-
go, and 1t is expected that when the con-
vention meets the council will have both of
these bills in practical form for approval
ny the convention and presentation at the
proper time to the next Congress.
1t Is expected that the enactment of
these two laws will be productive of great
ceai or good to wage carners generally, and
to the label trades and railroad men in par
ticular.
Some delay has been caused In the prep
aration of the uniform label law. owing to
the fact that severa! of the Attorneys Cen
erai of the United States have expressed
the opinion that such law would be I'M
constitutional, but it is believed the liberal
educational campaign which has been push
ed forward by all the leading labor men of
the country in this line has had the effect
OF practically converting many constitu-
tlonai lawyers tso-called) to the liberal side
OF the question, SO that 1t is now expected
Congress will pass the law sought for and
the United 5tatesISupreme Court decide in
its favor If the question of its institution
atty shall be brought before them.
Other Into ,astiuc nue.fion.