The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-12-21
FEDERATION OF LABOR
Doings of the Sixth Days Session
at Cincinnati.
THE SILVER QUESTION AGITATION

The Subject of Increasing Dues Comes Up
for Observation-Disclosures Reafiirms Its
Former Action to Revoke the Charter of
the New York Timers Union-Bcpre-
sentatives to Visit Washington i'm 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-
ic or other questions not germane to
labor on which there were radical diff
ferences of opinion. The question OF
increasing dues was also discussed. 1t
was the general opinion that the con-
vention would not conclude its 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 afiiliation
with the national associations of cleo
trical workers and 'longshoremen on
the seacoasts. A resolution was adopt
ed for the executive council TO renew
it's efforts for the pardon of Ephriam
Clark, a seaman, in the Tomlinson jail
in Maine. Many resolutions were or
fered and referred.
Address by MT. Ryan.
At the request of the grievance COM
mittee Mr. Ryan of st. Louis. presi-
Went of Timers association, addressed
the convention on the contest between
the association of iron molders and OF
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. MIR. 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 Nalen-
| tine of San Francisco defended the ac-
| tion of the iron molders union in IN
vesticating the course of the tin ana
| sbeet-iron association of New YORK,
and wanted the New York charter re-
voked.
To Take other Mems Places.
The Objectionable New York union,
No 162. 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..
| Pvan denounced all deserters or the
national organization and answered
many question propounded by oeie-
gates The convention finally rear
firmed it's former action to revoke the
charter of the New York Timers un-
ion No. 1872.
lanes H. Payne of Chicago, on the
recommendation of the grievance com
mittee. was given a hearing Tor the
| National Association OF Boxmakers'
who wanted a charter separate from
the National Amalgamated Association
of Wood Workers. He argued tha'
boxes were made from paper and other
material as we'll as from wood and
urged that there should be an IN
denendent charter for the boxmakers
National Secretary Kidd Of the Anal
gamated Wood Workers replied to Mr.
Pavne. urging that the boxmakers nat
urally belonged to their order.
Refused q Separate Charter.
The federation reaffirmed its former
action and again refused to grant the
boxmakers a separate charter. The
Cincinnati Canvassers' union were di'
rected to join the American Associa
.ion of Agents. The committee on pres
ident's annual report recommended th'
adoption of various suggestions; con
sidered seriatim and agreed TO. MT
Lloyd moved that the two representa-
tives to visit Washington to work roi
the eight hour bill be selected by the
convention instead OF being appointed
by the executive council carried py th'
close vote of yeas, "a; nays, 80. IL wa'
ordered that these representatives On
, | subject to the orders OF the executive
council. Treasurer Lennon moved ina
an assessment of per cent. per capits
be levied payable by April 1, for th'
+. purposes of defraying the expenses o
r the two representatives in Washington
, and other expenses of standing com
e mittees on the eight hour law and leg
D islation. AS the membership Is owe
\ 600 900 this levy would produce sSOooo.
Discussion on Expenses.
$ long discussion on the expenses o
!. ,obbying. printing and circulating lit
e erature and other work followed. Dele
0 gate Tobin moved to amend for an as
sessment of per cent. per capita. Del
egate Mcneil, the father of the eigh
hour movement. opposed the amend
ment and wanted fund sufficient 10
more general and effective work
President Gompers opposed large as
sessment and Delegate Lennon moved
TO amend so as to have an assessmen
OF 2 per cent per capita. The regula
order was suspended for fraterna
greetings. Delegate Harry Lloyd wa
selected to make the presentation
speech, in which he presented Samue