Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1896-02-27

cialists and the stability Of the trade
unions, 1t is intended to satisfy the
progressive people and their friends
and yet preserve the trade union move
ment from the influences of the Berlin
school of Socialists. Social Reform" is
the title of the new movement. 1t will
be officially chartered by the American
Federation of Labor under the guise of
educational work. but it really contem-
plates much more. 1t has already four
clubs doing active work. Among those
promoting the organization are John
Mcbride, August McCraith, President
w. B. Prescott, Of the International
Typographical Union; j. c. Elderkin,
National Recording Secretary of the
Seamen; j. T. Morgan and E. thinner
man, of the New Jersey Labor Bureau;
James Duncan, National Secretary Of
the Granite Cutters; Frank Valesh,
Deputy Labor Commissioner of Mime
sofa; Eva Mcdonald Valesh, of Mime
sofa; James Hollister, Chicago; Lee
Hart, National President of the Theatri-
cal Employees and many others of
prominence. Some of these people were
members of the old International So
cialist movement. They all claim to be
Socialists, only they put the trade union
first. Two preliminary conferences
have been held and there will be an
other before the close of the conven-
lion when P. ]. Mcclure, Adolph Stras-
SER Henry Weissman, Samuel Gompers,
c. Il. Reiohers, j, F. O'Sullivan and
other Eastern leaders will be invited to
attend.
The clubs scattered through the coun-
try have followed the same general
plan of work, though with some differ
enoe as to detail. An effort is now being
made to give the movement a national
character--a uniform plan of secret
work and platform for publication.
| The Social Reform movement started
in the West. The Western labor people
claim they can give the members of
trade unions and their friends all neces-
sary education and political advance
ment without going outside to the So
clalist camp. The movement is really
Socialistic, but the trade unions pro
pose to manage it for their own adj
vancement.
The Phoenix Federal Labor Union, Of
Chicago, began the Social Reform move
ment 1t includes among the members
trade unionlsts, men holding with
1rawal cards from unions and people
N sympathy with the trade union move
ment The Phoenix Club has charter
from the American Federation of Labor.
1t is nominally educational in charac-
ter, but has acquired supremacy in Chi
cago labor circles. Social Reform Club
No. l, of indianapolis, was organized
some months ago, with President Nc
Bride, of the American Federation OF
Labor; Secretary August McCraith, OF
the same organization, and President
William B. Prescott, of the Topographic
cal Union, as leading members. Promi-
nent labor people of Indianapolis joined
the club. 1t has proved very popular.
The Excelsior Club, of ST. Paul, is an
other. 1t was organized by Frank Va
lesh, prominent member of the
Cigar-Makers' International Union, and
Deputy Labor Commissioner in that
state. 1t claims to furnish model con-
stitution for the new order. Two other
clubs are reported, one from Western
New York and the other from New Jer-
sey. Many applications for charters
from the West and South furnish good
basis for the proposed national organi-
cation.