Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-09-07
BRITISH WORK NE N
Annual Trades Union Congress at
Edinburgh.
10 Be ORGANIZED ON new LINES
Proposed Naturalization Of Rail-
ways and Other Industries.
TAXATION OF LAND VALUES

o-1-t@t
TAXATION OF LAND VALUES
Copyright, 1895, by the Associated Press)
EDINBURGH. September THE twenty
rinth annual trades union congress OF
Great Britain opened its sessions at the
assembly rooms, George street, this city,
at noon today. About 800 delegates were
in attendance. The congress will close Sat-
urday. September IL.
The vehement arguments and bitter per-
sonalities of the twenty-eighth congress.
held at Cardiff last year, will not be re-
peated this year, as the new constitution
adopted then directed the improved 1orma-
ton of the congress of 1893.
Samuel Woods secretary OF the parl1a-
nentary committee. in an Interview with
representative Of TIE Associated Press,
prior to the meeting today, said:
I'VE have not more than 800 delegates
this year, owing to the new standing or
ders, and our congress is much more work
able. Under the old constitution there
would have been ever 100 delegates. The
delegates this year are only bona f1de work.
ers at their trade and legal members or
trade societies No person can be dele
gate unless he is actually working at his
a permanent paid working official Of his
trade union. This was definitely settled at
Cardiff last year. ~
1--WE are likely, however, to have a little
rub or two over an attempt to revert TO
the old way Of voting. where each union
or body represented had one vote. Under
the new standing orders each delegate has
one vote for every thousand workers whom
he represents This is direct representa-
ton, and I do not think it will be over
thrown.
1--WE have about thirty more trades UNI
ions represented this year than last, and
about twenty which have never been rep
resented before. There are two American
delegates, Messrs. Strasser and Sullivan.
Work Before the Congress.
The work Of the present congress Is ex-
ceedingly ambitious when the time avail
able Is considered. The parliamentary
committee, of which Edward Convey of the
Yorkshire miners Is chairman, and also
president Of the congress, has prepared a
program embodied in eleven resolutions
the trades unions have sent up no fewer
than eighty-one resolutions for discussion.
To these notice of over twenty amend
ments has been given. The two sets OF
resolutions cover the widest field for dis
CuSSion and effort practicable and other
wise.
The temper Of the congress toward the
impracticable can, perhaps, be gagged by
resolution of the paper mill workers that
AiO eSeHtdtlNS VI TIC pIeSS oiial De dl-
lowed to report the proceedings unless he
can prove that the journal he represents
Is printed by trade union labor ana on
paper manufactured in the united king
DOM
A further intimation of the trend Of this
congress is contained in a resolution pro-
posed by the poWer-loom oVerlookers to re-
scind the famous collectivist resolution
adopted at the Norwich congress of 1894,
on the initiative Of Keir Hardie and in its
place to substitute the following:
That in the opinion OF this congress, it
Is essential to the maintenance of British
industries to nationalize the land, mines,
minerals, royalty, rents and railways, and
municipalize all water. artificial light and
II ANYWAYS undertakings within their several
authorities, and that the parliamentary
committee be Instructed to promote and
support legislation with the above objects"
Councillor w. Thorne Of. the gas workers
will ask the congress to declare that the
time has arrived when the hours of labor
should be limited to eight per day in all
trades and occupations in the united king
DOM"
E. Hartford Of the railway men will bring
up the question OF employers liabilities
by resolution calling upon the govern
ment to so amend the existing act, that
among other things the responsibility may
rest upon the employer for the acts of his
employees or Of those of any subcontractor,
and that irrespective OF the acquiescence
in or knowledge of any defect or danger on
the part of the person killed. or injured
that its provisions may apply to the work
ers In all industries, on land or sea, in
private, state, or municipal employment,
and that contracting out be made Illegal"
Factory legislation, payment of mem
bers of parliament, taxation of land values
and ground rents which 1t is demanded he
election employment of children In fac
tories and their consequent exploitation
by the capitalist, which Is Injurious to the
children, unjust to their parents and a
iyrn o{rcf fhn
iZation of docks, wharves and warehouses:
the release of all political prisoners; grew
ances of civilian musicians; hours Of do
nestle servants. which are not to be more
than seventy per week, including one and
half hours for meals per day.; fair wages,
compensation for injuries, the hours of
shop assistants; government contracts, old
age pensions, education and public money,
ard many other matters all have places
on the program.
Protection of Union officials.
The plate glass jewellers will offer this
important resolutions:
THAT the recent decisions of the Judges
of the high court of justice, in cases aris-
ing out Of trade disputes, have made I,
abundantly clear that the Trade Union
acts Of 1871 end 1875 afford no effectua
protection against civil actions brought
against officials of trade unions and others
who are merely exercising the rights q.
u
those acts, and 1t is. therefore, most es-
sential to the continued existence of these
unions that the parliamentary committee
OF this congress endeavor to obtain such
an amendment of the conspiracy and pro.
lection Of property act Of 1876 as will
protect those who legitimately exercise the
right of combination for trade purposes
against civil as well as criminal proceed
ings.'
The Tailors' Society will attempt q
sweeping reform in the alteration Of the
law Of libel so that 1t may become lawful
for any person or persons acting in the in.
terests of the community. who are doing sc
without malice, to expose in public meet.
ings or IN the public press any firm OF
firms who are known to be acting or work.
ling contrary to the interests or in any
way injurious to the workers and the pub
lic."
The Miners National Union, representing
10000 miners in the northern counties. sent
thirteen delegates, including Messrs. T.
Burt, NJ. P; c. Fenwick, NJ. P, and John
Wilson, NJ. P. This body was not repre-
scented at Cardiff last year.
Among the other societies represented are
the boilermskers, $1,000 members; boot and
shoe operatives, Al, 600 ;Amalgamated Society
ToSy,