The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-07
DECLARES AGAINST
CONVICT GOODS
The Labor Convention Is
Very Decided on the
Subject.
Will Try to Obtain Appropri-
ate Legislation Favorlng
Its Views.
Delegates From an Unemp Dyed Meet.
ing Fail to Obtain Admittance
10 the Gathering

Delegates from the trades unions of the
City met yesterday in the California Labor
Convention Hall. 915% Market street,
under the instructions of the convention
Tor the purpose of discussing as central
labor body questions of vital importance
to all the unions.
The meeting was called to order by
President James Rose, and Recording
Secretary Guy Lathrop read the creden-
tials of the delegates from the following
organizations: Labor Council, Pattern
and Model Maker, United Green-glass
workers Association, Coast Seamen's
Union. Alameda Federation of Trades,
Cigar-makers' Union, International Furni-
ture- workers, 1ron-molders' Union, Bar
bers' Local Union, Typographical Union.
Journeymen Plumb ers, Gas and Steam
Filters and Bricklayers' Union.
The credentials of delegation from the
unemployed now meeting at 1859 Mission
street created considerable warm discus
sion. Objection was made regarding the
admission of these representatives on the
ground that the body from which they
came did not represent organized labor.
President Rose said he had just come
from the meeting at 1859 Mission street
and he had heard sentiments uttered at
That gathering such as no trade union
could for moment advocate They had
unanimously adopted q motion he said
10 send d committee to all employers in
the City and request to be given work be-
low union rates.
Andrew Furuseth of the Coast Seamen's
Union called attention to the communica-
ton bearing the signature of John n. Lee,
Chairman OF the ways and means ommit-
tee, asking that the labor convention send
a delegation to 1859 Mission street, etc.,
and he wanted to know who John N. Lee
was, that the organized laborers of San
Francisco should wait on him. He would
advise that these unemployed get into
their unions and organize into bodies that
could be recognized. These floating bodies
OF laborers were menace TO organized la
Dor every where and at all times.
1t was finally concluded by the conven-
ton not to admit the delegates. and the
committee on credentials so informed
Them IN the anteroom.
After the reading of the minutes the
subject of prison labor was taken up, and
the report of the committee having that
matter in hand considered
Secretary Lathrop stated that he had
attended a meeting of the Manufacturers
and Producers Association when the con-
vict-labor question had been discussed
At that meeting the following draft OF a
bill to be presented to the next Legisla-
ture was offered:
Section 2. 1t shall be unlawful for any per-
son confined or employed in any penalinstitu
ton in the State of California 10 engage or be
employed in the manufacture of anything
whatever that is an article OF commerce except
jute bags and jute cloth land articles made of
natural stone.
Sec. 2. This act will notapply to the manu-
facture of any article consumed in the penal
institution where manufactured.
Secretary Lathrop explained that the
words ''and articles made of natural
stone" were in effect left out at his
earnest request. He also said that he
thought that the association was inclined
to favor prison dressed stone.
Several proposed amendments from
Code Commissioner Shields were read and
referred to the proper committee, one
regarding the imposing OF licenses upon
persons soliciting for articles produced or
manufactured in this State; another
regarding the placing of labels upon
prison made goods and heavy penalty of
fine or Imprisonment for the removal of
said signs or labels.
The convention Endorsed the anti
prison-labor bill OF Representative South
wick now pending in Congress.
The following resolution commencing
the action of Labor Commissioner Fitz-
gerald was unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, The Labor Commissioner has rem
dered estimab Bile and valuable assistance in
the matter of compiling laws for the benefit of
labor and industrial reform in this State, and
has in addition to that given his aid and coun-
sci for the good of the labor movement in
general and this convention especially dur
ing his administration as an officer whereas
we deem 1t proper and jus. thar honest effort
should at all times merit and receive due
recognition and reward; therefore, be it
Resolved That we in convention assembled, |
severally and collectively, tender him our
thanks and offer our encouragement and in |
dorsement to the end that the Office may be |
made all that it is calculatet to be in the |
affairs for which 1t was Instituted with a view
that the greatest possible amount of good NAV
be experienced by the world of laborers at |
large.
Resolued, That the acts of the present ineum- |
bent OF that position have, in our Judgment, |
stamped him as fit and proper, as we'll as |
person to perform its many trying |
duties.
RESOLVED, That copy of these articles be |
spread upon the records of this convention |
and a copy be presented to- E. l. Fitzgerald |
and also 10 the press, signed by the president |
and secretary.