The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-17
LABOR LEADERS
STILL IN COUNCIL
Many Matters of Public
Interest Before the
Body.
The Draft of a Bill to Compel
the Arbitration of Diff
ferences.
Resolutions of Sympathy With the
Cubans and in Condemnation of
Cleveland.

Grafton of Labor opened with full at
tendance. The committee on labels re-
ported favorably on a suggestion of the
cigar-makers that tin or cardboa signs
giving various labels be made and dis
tributed among the unions, the idea be-
ing to famiIiarize the public with the
labels of the different trades, and the re-
port was concurred in by the convention.
A controversy between the Canvassers'
Union and the American Agents Associa-
ton was reported from the committee on
grievance, with resolution expelllng the
Canvassers' Union, and directing the sec
rotary to notify the Central Labor Council
OF Cincinnati not to receive the per capita
tax from the union. The matter was re-
ferred back for further investigation.
Edward E. Clark, secretary of the Rail-
way Conductors representing the five
great brotherhoods, read a bill providing
for enforced arbitration of differences be-
tween railway companies and employees,
which Congress will be asked to enact
into law. The matter was referred to
special com mittee.
Delegate Duffy of Kansas City pre-
sented a resolution that a committee be
appointed to investigate the boycott
against the Armour Packing Company.
This was adopted. Special committees
were appointed for the consideration of
the eight-hour labor law and the subject
of immigration. The report of the COM
mittee of delegates to the British Labor
Congress at Edinburgh, Scotland, was
read by the secretary, and the convention
then adjourned until the afternoon.
The afternoon session was opened by
talk by Delegate Samuel Woods of Great
Britain on his impression during his short
stay in America, his remarks being of
highly complimentary nature to America
as Nation and an expression of the great
qualification which he and his colleague
Manlinson of Scotland, feel at finding such
high order of intelligence in the delibel-
alive bodies OF labor organizations in The
United States.
He then read an exhaustive paper on
European labor, the late meeting of the
European Labor Congress at Edinburgh,
Scotland, and The progress made in recent
years by the labor organizations of Great
Britain, setting forth what organization
has accom- plished for working people and
what it hopes to plish in the fut hre.
Mr.. Manlinson OF Scotland made brief
address 10 the convention urging closer
alliance between the labor organizations
of the world.
George E. Mcneil of Boston was APP
pointed by the president to respond in be-
half of the American Federati IN to the
addresses of Great Britain's delegates and
made an eloquent address.
The following resolutions in regard to
the situation in Cuba were presented by
the chairman of the committee on resolu-
tons, with recommendation that they be
adopted:
Resolued, That the American Federation OF
Labor. in convention assembled, tenders its
heartfelt sympathy to all now struggling
against oppression, and es pecially to the men
OF Cuba, who for ages have sacrificed and
suffered to secure the right of elf-goverement.
Resolved That the example of The people OF
France in giving recognition and aid to the
fathers in their struggle to rescue the indie
pendence of the colonies is worthy of imita-
ton, and we hereby call upon the President
and Congress to recognize the belligerent
rights of the Cuban revolution.
James O'Donnell rot only favored the
adoption of the resolutions. bat wanted
another added condemning President
Cleveland for not having already taken
such action as the resolutions recommend
ed, and the suggestion met with the in
doris ement of several OF the speakers who
followed.
President Samuel Gompers spoke in
very fervid manner, urging the unanimous
adoption of the resolutions, which were
finally adopted by a vote of go TO 9.
Friday afternoon was finally set as the
time for holding the annual election of
officers of the federation.
A resolution to petition the Pardon
Board of Pennsylvania for commutation
OF the sentence of Alexander Bergman,
who shot Mr.. Frick OF the Carnegie Iron
Works during the strike at Homestead,
Pa, was introduced by Delegate Weis-
mann of New York and unanimously
adopted, after which the convention adj
journed until o clock tomorrow.