The record-union., 1896-12-18
The American Federation Disposes Of the
Stationary Engineers Subject.
A Resolution to Have Them Properly
Organized Carried.
The Boycott on Goods Of the American
Tobacco Company Indorsed-Pres-
ident GOmperS ExOnerated From
All Charges of Alleged Wrong
Doing i'm the Recent Political
Campaign.

Campaign.
CINCINNATI, Dec. 17.-At this
session of the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor Convention a resolu-
tion to have the federation organizers
give special attention to organizing the
stationary engineers in all cities and
towns and hamlets, and whenever ex-
pedient to form national union, to be
affiliated with the American Fedora
ton of Labor, was passed by large
majority.
Several resolutions to furnish assist
ance in organizing crafts were con-
CURED in or refereed to the Executive
Council.
The request for the organization Of
the wood-workers Of the Middle West
was referred to a special committee.
A resolution regarding the boycott
against the Armour Packing Company
was referred to the special committee.
Woodward offered a resolution for
the organization to adopt monogram
label for all branches under the ma
tional body, and after much discussion
it was acquiesced in.
A resolution indorsing the boycott on
the goods of the American Tobacco
Company was indorsed.
The Amalgamated Association Sc
cured the floor and asked to have
committee of three appointed to in
vestfgate rumorS and charges being
freely circulated in hotel lobbies and
streets rejecting on the officers of the
American Federation of Labor
Delegate Warner of the Machinists'
Mahon be ordered to be present at the
afternoons session.
On the opening of the afternoon ses-
sion the Committee on Resolutions pre-
sented a set from J. P. Mcclure, rec
ommending that local unions affiliated
with the American Federation of Labor
so change their laws that dues of mem
bers shall not be less than 30 cents a
months, preferably % cents a week;
that on failure to comply with this re-
quest within six months the charters
of unions failing shall be revoked and
that no charters be hereafter granted
to organizations unless their bylaws
provide for monthly dues of at least
ID cents. The committee recommended
their adoption.
A lively discussion followed, lasting
Tor more than two hours. Several
amendments We're submitted and lost
The original resolutions were adopted
by decided majority
Delegate O'Sullivan of the Massachu-
setts State Federation moved that the
convention go into executive session
he n TO-, %
officers which Delegate Mahon had been
ordered a the morning session by reso-
luton to report in writing to the after
noon session for investigation in open
meeting.
Delegates Ashe and Warner of the
Machinists' International Association.
Thomas of the Engineers, Kreling of the
st. Louis Trades and Labor Council,
Sermon of the Journeymen Tailors'
Union. Luce of the Carriage Workers,
Yarnell of the Carpenters and Joiners',
and number of others in eloquent ad-
dresses urged the convention not to
commit this great blunder. They ar
gued that the matter had been first
preached in open meeting. The conven-
ton had by resolution ordered the in
vestigation to be made in open session,
and to go behind closed doors with it
now could not fail to cause suspicion of
whitewashing and comment that would
be an injury to the organization which
II would be extremely difficult to rectify,
If, indeed. such result could ever be ac-
complished
Delegates Thomas I. Kidd of the
Woodworkers' International Union, P.
II. Penna of the United Mineworkers
of America, and one or two others spoke
in favor of the secret session, holding
that the matter was one which con-
cerned only the organization, and if
there was any dirty linen to be washed
1t should be done in the back kitchen,
with all the doors locked
The original motion was put to vote
and carried, about two-thirds of the del
egates voting for it.
On motion, it was decided to remain
in session to carry on the investigation
without adjourning at the regular time
for supper.
After the reporters and others not
delegates had left the convention hall,
Delegate Mahon submitted a written
called the attention of the convention to.
The import of them was that President
Gompers had taken action or negotiated
with Chairman Jones and other promi-
nent men of the Democratic party in
the late campaign as President of the
American Federation of Labor 1t was
stated that Secretary McCraith was
aware of this correspondence. and feel
ing that Mr. Gompers had exceeded his
prerogatives as President in the mat
ter, the Secretary had spoken to men,
bers of the Executive Council Of it.
out of this sprang all the rumors al
legged, but Delegate Mahon could give
the names of but three persons whom
he had heard mention the matter All
of the letters forming the correspond
ence of alleged political negotiations
We're read before the secret session.
Some of them referred to the free COIN
age of silver at 16 to /, which the feder-
alton had indorsed at each of its three
last conventions, and one requested
President Gompers to meet Chairman
Jones and other Democratic leaders and
talk the matter over. Mr. Gompers' re-
ply to this was that he was too busy to
call upon the gentlemen, but IL they
would meet him at Indianapolis he
would gladly grant an interview on the