The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-24
FOR EIGHT-HOUR DAY
NATIONAL LABOR MOVEMENT TO BE
INAUGURATED MAY L.
Grafton of Labor Considers It.
Three Trades Volunteer.

Federation of Labor began a very i'm
portant meeting yesterday at the office of
the Federation in the DeSoto Building.
The meeting Is being closely watched by
organized trades in all parts Of the country,
for the recent convention of the Federation
at New York empowered the council to take
final action IN a number of important mat
ters. There was a full meeting of the coun-
Gil. the following being present: President
Samuel Gompers, Secretary August Nc
Craith, John b. Lennon, OF Bloomington,
ILL.,; p. j. Mcclure, OF Philadelphia; James
Duncan, of Baltimore; James O'Connell, of
Chicago. and NJ. NJ. Garland, of Pittsburg.
The eight-hour question is the one COM
manding the most attention from the pub
lie, for the action of the executive council
Is decisive. The convention OF the Fedora
ton, and. in fact, all conventions have
sanctioned the eight-hour move. For three
years annual efforts nave been made by the
trades to establish the system and the re-
suits have been satisfactory to the officers
of the Federation. The council now in ses-
sion has the power to select a trade which
shall ~inaugurate the movement May i.
Three trade volunteered to make the
movement. namely. the carpenters and
shoers. The question of choosing from
these three was left to a subcommittee
which shall consider the conditions OF the
ton before the adjournment of the ex-
ecutive council.
The number OF volunteers is not so large
as in former years. This condition of af-
fairs Is attributed to the recent depression
in al trades Tho carnopforz hava wade
one fight which resulted we'll for members
Of the trade. About 20 per cent. of the
trade, however. do not have an eight-hour
day. consequently that trade wishes to
make the fight. The carpenters are in as
good condition as either Of the other can
didates. so they will probably be chosen to
make a move on May /. The action Of the
trade chosen will be national. Aside from
the three trades who want to move for an
eight-hour day, a number of local unions
have asked the council for permission to
demand shorter hours. These local unions
want to go it alone. as a member of the
council explained, and they may be given
an opportunity.
The affairs of the National League of Mu-
stcians were considered by the council, al
though the league is not a part of the Fed
Grafton There are two factions among the
musicians at present. One faction is com
p fSs other Se f Is e ms%osed Of OF f Iosa lea asions Whale tbas
are IN sympathy with or member of the
Federation. These two factions have had
differences in Milwaukee, Cleveland, Utica
and New York. the trouble all being over
a scale of charges. The league was rep
resented before the council by Henry Beis-
senherz. of this city. while the musicians
delegation from Milwaukee. The council
announces that assurances have been re-
ceived that. the league will affiliate with
the restoration. The annual meeting of the
league takes place at Washington April 6,
when action to this end is expected. Such
an afhliatton will settle ali differences
among the musicians, strengthen their
cause and increase the membership of the
Federation President Gompers was direct
ed by the council to attend the national
convention of the league.
While in Washington President Gompers
will also direct his attention to certain
measures of importance to labor, now pend
Ing in Congress. The council yesterday
acted favorabiy on the passage of the Phil
hips law. which provides for a labor COM
mission and arbitration of labor differences.
The council also urges the passage of the
bill defining the power of the United States
courts in the matter of injunctions. An
amendment to the law compelling eight
has been prepared for introduction in Con-
gress. The council claims that the present
law Is being violated and il wishes TO so
amend IT that a violation viii be impossible.
- v
eral differences between unions which were
referred for decision and OF which the men,
bers do not care to speak.
Tn council may be in session the remain
der OF the week. but there is a desire TO
transact business and adjourn by to-mor-
row night. The eight-hour question. or
rather the selection OF a trade to make
the demand for an eight-hour day, is the
most important matter 10 dec.de To-day
the council takes up the consideration of
the attitude of the Socialists toward the
trade unions. Complaint of the socialistic
party has come from New York, Omaha
and San Francisco. where il has been said
quate to the needs of the workmen. In
New York the Socialists have organized a
trade alliance and efforts have been made
to drag the trades into politics. Members
OF the executive council OF the Federation
are opposed to any politics becoming con-
nected with the trades unions and are in
dignant at the efforts of the Socialists. The
council will probably place itself on record
against the action of the Socialists. The
unions OF core workers are to be organized
into a national body and the council has
to make arrangements for a national con-
vention-
The American Agents Association. which
the council to protest against the Metropol-
itan Insurance Company, which is charged
with dealing unfairly with agents. From
talks with members of the council the pro-
test will be approved and the attention of
all trades called to the company.
Arrangements are to be made for the visit
Of John Mcbride and Adolph Strcsser to
Federation In the Trades Union Congress.
A LABOR MASS MEETING.
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