The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1896-12-23
FEDERATION OF LABOR |
Doings Of the Sixth Days Session
at Cincinnati.
THE SILVER QUESTION AGITATION

THE SILVER QUESTION AGITATION
The Subject of Increasing Dues Comes Up
for Discussion Convention Reaffirms It's
Former Action to Revoke the Charter Of
the New York Timers Union--Rcpre-
sentstives to Visit Washington Ina the
Interest of an Eigh-Hour Day.
Cincinnati, Dec. 21.-The attendance
was full when President Gompers called
the American Federation of Labor TO
order for the sixth day of the sixteenth
annual convention. There was still
much agitation in the Hobbies over the
fourth annual Endorsement of free
coinage and some OF the silver advo-
Gates expressed apprehension for the
future over the Introduction of eccnom-
&c or other questions not germane TO
labor on which there were radical diff
ferences OF opinion. The question Of
increasing dues was also discussed. Ii
was the general opinion that the con-
vention would not conclude it's work
until next Monday or Tuesday.
The granting of a charter to the
American Federation OF Musicians,
with over 5000 members, was con-
firmed; also the action for affiliation
with the national associations of cleo
trical workers and 'longshoremen on
the seacoasts. A resolution was adopt
ed for the executive council 10 renew
its efforts for the pardon of Ephriam
Clark, "A seaman, in the Tomlinson jail
in Maine. Many resolutions were Of
fered and referred.
Address by MIR. Ryan.
At the request of the grievance COM
mittee Mr.. Ryan of st. Louis, presi-
dent of Timers association, addressed
the convention on the contest between
the association of iron molders and or
the tin-sheet iron and cornice work.
ers. Mr.. Ryan's complaints were di-
rected especially against the New YORK
union. Delegates representing the New
York Timers association that the New
York Timers association would give
up their charter If the st. Louis asso-
citation would do likewise. then all
should be reorganiZed for affiliation
with the federation. Mr.. Ryan moved
TO give the New York union of timers
till April ] to comply with the laws or
their organization. President Gompers
addressed the convention at length in
reply TO some of Mr.. Ryan's statements
Delegate Lennon arraigned the New
York Timers union and urged that its
charter be revoked. Delegate Valen-
tine of San Francisco defended the ac-
ton of the iron molders union in in
yestigating the course of the tin and
sheet-iron association of New York
and wanted the New York charter re-
voked.
To Take Other Mems Places.
The Objectionable New York union.
No 1862 was charged with furnishing
men to take the places of regular union
men who were out on strike. Dele
gate Warren advocated that local un-
ions should be regularly connected with
the national organization, but that
there were many commendable features
of the local union in New York. Mr.
Ryan denounced all deserters OF the
national organization and answered
many question propounded by dele
gates The convention finally reaf-
firmed it's former action to revoke the
charter OF the New York Timers un-
ion No. 162.
James III. Payne Of Chicago, on the
recommendation of the grievance COM
mittee was given a hearing for the
National Association of Boxmakers,
who wanted a charter separate from
the National Amalgamated Association
of Wood Workers. He argued that
boxes were made from paper and other
material as we'll as from wood and
urged that there should be an in
dependent charter for the boxmakers.
National Secretary Kidd OF the Anal
gamated Wood Workers replied TO Mr..
Payne. urging that the boxmakers nat
urally belonged to their order
Refused q Separate Charter.
The federation reaffirmed it's former
action and again refused to grant the
boxmakers a separate charter. The
Cincinnati Canvassers' union were d.
rected to join the American Associa-
ton of Agents. The committee on pres
idents annual report recommended the
adoption OF various suggestions; con-
sidered seriatim and agreed to- Mr..
Lloyd moved that the two representa-
tives to visit Washington to work for
the eight hour bill be selected by the
convention instead OF being appointed
by the executive council; carried by the
close vote of yeas "a: nays. 33. 1t was
ordered that these representatives be
subject to the orders Of the executive
council. Treasurer Lennon moved that
an assessment of per cent. per capita
be levied, payable by April l, for the
purposes of defraying the expenses OF
the two representatives in Washington
and other expenses OF standing COM
mittees on the eight hour law and leg
islation. AS the membership Is over
500, 900 this levy would produce $4,000.
Discussion Expenses.
A long discussion on the expenses OF
lobbying. printing and circulating lit
erature and other work followed. Dele
gate Tobin moved to amend for an as
sessment of l per cent. per ocpita. Del
egate Mcneil. the father OF the eight
hour movement, opposed the amend
ment and wanted a fund sufficient for
more general and effective work.
President Gompers opposed a large as
sessment and Delegate Lennon moved
TO amend so as to have an assessment
OF per cent. per capita. The regular
order was suspended for fraternal
greetings Delegate Harry Lloyd was
selected to make the presentation
speech i'm which he presented Samuel