The herald., 1896-04-20
THE LABOR CONFERENCE
The Second Meeting Endorses San
Pedro Harb0r
Councilman Snyder Praised for His Action on
the Question - Strong Resolutions
Adop;ed-Report Of the Sessions

| The Los Angeles labor conference held
| it's second meeting yesterday, and by a
| unanimous vote indorsed San PEDRO, the
| peoples harbor.
| The conference arrived at this con-
clusion by passing a strong resolution
| extending to Councilman NJ. L. snyder
| a vote of thanks for the manly and inde-
| pendent position he had taken, opposing
| with his vote and voice the resolution
| alleged to have been adopted by the
city council in favor of the double ap-
| preparation for San Pedro harbor When
the vote was taken on the resolution
there was not one dissenting voice.
1t was 10 I'm. yesterday when the con-
ference was called to order by Perma-
nent President j. H. McWilliams. The
council of labor hall was filled with dele
gates when Secretary E. II. Holman
called the roll.
In addition to others there were pres
ent fully seventy-fiye delegates repre-
senting twenty-one unions that were
included and placed on the roll at the
first meeting of the conference.
A motion for the reconsideration of
the vote by which the International
Educational Labor association delegates
were rejected at the last meeting was
carried, and delegates from that as
sociation were admitted, inasmuch as
the association had adopted the declara-
ton of principles of the labor confer
ence.
The minutes of the last meeting were
read. The report from the different
unions developd that they had indorsed
the action of the conference on the plat
form, with the exception of the carpen-
ters' union, who had stricken out the
preamble which states that the party
which most nearly represents the prin-
ciples of the platform should receive the
support of labor.
a motion was made by r. E. Shafer
that a committee of five be appointed to
wait upon the conventions of the differ
ent political parties and present the
platform for Endorsement.
This resolution caused discussion,
pending which an adjournment was
taken until p. m.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Upon reassemblng, the preamble
and platform adopted last month was
then read by S. A. Waldron.
They are as follows:
I'VE believe the time has come when
the labor forces of the United States
should make themselves heard in the
political management of this republic in
order that they may be in position to
enforce their demands: we hereby
adopt the following as our declaration
of principles and pledge ourselves to
support the party that most nearly rep
resents the same:
"First-Direct legislation by the ini-
tiative and referendum and imperative
mandate and proportional representa-
ton.
"Second-The free and unlimited coin
, age of both gold and silver at the pres
ent legal ratio of 16 to l. The issuance
of paper currency to the people with
out the intervention of banking corpora
tions.
Misunderstanding that the time has
come when the railroads will either own
the people or the people must own the
railroads. we demand the government
ownership of all the means of transpor-
tation and communication.
Fourth-Thatw we favor governmental
establishment of postal savings banks
The discussion continued on the ap-
pointment. and substitute for the
original motion was then made by A.
Vinette. Delegate after delegate arose
and supported it, which was as fol-
lows
Resolved. That this organization
shall be known as the Los Angeles
County Labor congress. 1t shall be
composed of delegates from bona fide
labor organizations that are non-parti-
san in character Its aims and objects
are to secure legislation in favor of the
producing classes. 1t is empowered to
send committees to the various party
conventions and present it's demands.
Inc congress is also empowered to
endorse parties now in existence or
special candidates of any parties.
Should none Of these prove satisfactory
the congress is authorized to PIT an in
dependent labor ticket in the field.
In any of these events the organiza-
tion represented or it's individual mem
bers are not to be pledged to the meas
| ure adopted. but all actions of this body
shall be advisory in their character,
leaving the fullest liberty to the individ-
ual and trusting to the good sense and
intelligence of the workingman for the
| Endorsement.
The motion to appoint committee of
| five to wait upon the different conven-
| tions for an Endorsement of the princi-
4! pies of the congress was adopted and
the following appointed: J. L. Mellow
| Gil of the American Railway union,
| Joseph Coyle of the Plumbers, e. Dewey
| of the Carpenters and P. Palmer of the
| Bricklayers.
A resolution was offered by j. D. Bal
| ley for government aid to the unem-
ployed, which was laid upon the table
! after debate.
| A committee on program and ar
rangements for future meetings was
| appointed, consisting of =. E Shaffer,
| G. e. Fisk and F. B. Colver.
IA L.