The record-union., 1896-12-17

CINCINNATI (O.), Dec. 16-This
mornings session of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor opened with full
attendance.
The Committee on Labels reported
favorably on a suggestion of the cigar
makers that tin or cardboard signs
giving various labels be made and dis
tributed among the unions, the idea
being to familiarize the public with the
labels of the different trades, and the
report was concurred in by the con-
vention.
A controversy between the Canvass
ers' Union and the American Agents
Association was reported from the Com
mittee on Grievances, with a resolution
expelling the Canvassers' Union and
directing the Secretary to notify the
Central Labor Council of Cincinnati
not to receive the per capita tax from
the union. The matter was referred
back for further investigation.
Edward E. Clark, Secretary of the
Railway Conductors, representing the
five great brotherhoods, read a bill pro-
viding for enforced arbitration of diff
ferences between railway companies
and employees, which Congress will be
asked to enact into a law. The mat
ter was referred to a special committee.
Delegate duffy of Kansas City pre-
sented a resolution that a committee be
appointed to investigate the boycott
against the Armour Packing Company.
This was adopted.
Special committees We're appointed
for the consideration of the eight hour
labor law, and the subject of immigra-
ton.
The report of the committee of dele
gates to the British Labor Congress at
Edinburgh, Scotland, was read by the
Secretary, and ta1e convention then ad-
journed until the afternoon.
The afternoon session was opened by
talk by Delegate Samuel Woods of
Great Britain on his impression during
his short stay in America, his remarks
being of a highly complimentary ma
ture to America as a nation, and an
expression of the great qualification
which he and his colleague, Manlinson
of Scotland, feel at finding such a high
order of intelligence in the deliberative
bodies of labor organizations in the
United States. He then read an ex-
haustive paper on European labor. the
late meeting of the European Labor
Congress at Edinburgh, Scotland, and
the progress made in recent years by
the labor organizations of Great Brit
ain, setting forth what organization has
accomplished for working people, and
what it hopes to accomplish in the fu-
ture.
Mr.. Manlnson of Scotland made
brief address to the convention, urging
closer alliance between the labor or
ganizations of the world
George E. Mcneil of Boston was ap-
pointed by the President to respond in
behalf of the American Federation to
the addresses of Great Britains dele
gates, and made an eloquent address.
The following resolutions in regard
to Cuba We're presented by the Chair
man of the Committee on Resolutions,
with recommendation that they be
adopted:
Resolved, That the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor, in congress assem-
bled, tenders it's heartfelt sympathy to
all now struggling against oppression,
for ages have sacrificed and suffered
to Eecure the right of self government.
Resolved, That the example of the
people of France in giving recognition
and aid to the fathers in their struggle
to rescue the independence of the col
onies is worthy of imitation, and we
hereby call upon the President and
Congress to recognize the belligerent
rights of the Cuban revolution
James ODonnell not only favored the
adoption of the resolutions, but wanted
another added condemning President
Cleveland for not having already taken
such action as the resolutions recon-
mended. and the suggestion met with
the Endorsement of several of the
speakers who followed.
President Samuel Gompers spoke in
very fervid manner, urging the unan-
imous adoption of the resolutions
The resolutions were finally adopted
by vote of 60 to 8.
Friday afternoon was set as the time
for holding the annual election of Off
GERS.
resolution petitioning the Pardon
Board of Pennsylvania for commuta-
tion of the sentence of Alexander Berg
man, who shot Mr.. Frick of the Car
negie Iron Works during the strike at
Homestead, Pa, was introduced by Del
egate Weismann of New York, and was
unanimously adopted, after which the
convention adjourned until 8 a. m. to-
morrow.