The times., 1897-04-20
THE FEDERATION OF LABOR
Executive Council Holds a Con-
ference With the President.
ACCORDED A KIND WELCOME
President Urged Not to Give I'M
portant Office to Persons Not In
sympathy With Labor-Ihe Feder-
alton Fiouris hing-Wiil Call on
Speaker Reed Tomorrow.

The executive council of the American
Federation OF Labor met yesterday at 10
a M, at labor headquarters, No. 700
Fourteenth street
The full board was present and President
Gompers was III the chair. The last mem
Der to arrive was Mr.. p. j. Mcclure. The
others are:
Second Vice President James Duncan,
Third Vice President James O'Connell,
Fourth vice PreSideat NJ. NJ. Garland, Treas
urer John Is. Lennon, and Secretary Frank
Morrison.
subcommittee of three, consisting of
Messrs. O'Connell, Lennon, and Garland
were appointed TO audit the books. The
committee subsequently, reported finding
them in excellent condition, and the ii.
nance and membership of the Federation
flouriShing.
Reports were submitted by Secretary Nor
rlson showing the growth of the organiza-
tion since the last convention.
BY previous arrangement the executive
council called upon President Mckinley at
the White House, where conference was
neld lasting an hour. Various propositions
interest of the wagc-earlefs, and the eight
hour law and amendments, the seamen S
bill, contempt bill, and amendments to the
antitrust law, eNempting labor organiza-
tipns from the operation OF its provisions
We're discussed.
i petition was presented asking for the
pardon OF e W. Clark, who is confincdin
Thornaston prison. Maine, under charge OF
r-aJi
treated and largely justified in his aCtion.
The executive council, while urging the
appointment of no particular person Tor
office, urged upon the President the mad
visibility OF appointing persons Ia M
portant offices, TO administer laws III the
interest of labor, who were notin sympathy
with labor organizations
Later in the day the committee rr-
ranged for an interview with Speaker
Reed at the Capitol tomorrow.
The Council reported, after their inter-
view with the President, that they We're
very cordially received and frank and
full expression OF opinion exchanged, the
President evincing much interest and
sympathy with the statements made.
1t was resolved that the amendments to
the eight-hour law be introduced In the
Senate at the present session, and that al
other bills initiated or indorsed by the
Federation be likewise introduced.
IL was decided that the recommendation
CT the advisory board be approved That
is, that the executive council and the rep
reSentativeS OF the national and inter-
national organizations of labor in this
country who are located at Washington
make a call upon the members of Con-
Cress with view of insis ting un0n labor
legislation by Congress at an early date
The legislative committee in attendance
at the last Congress submitted the report
upon the progress made on the various bills
showing an unsatisfactory state OF affairs.
President Gumpers was authorized 10
enter into arrangements with the National
Union of WoodwoTkers unions OF the
Sontherl. Bates, of the inter mountain AMI
Pacific coast. with the view OF the appoint
ment of special organizers among the
workers of the trades in these respective
districts
The ONO State Federation has applied
for charter, and a contest was made
against the issuance of it 10y number of
workers. hut the decision reached was that
the charter be issued.
The conclusion was reached in reference
to the AmalGamated Association OF Metal
Sheet Wokcrs' requiring that this associa-
tion abide by he decision OF the 7 federation
convention. TO revoke the charter of its
unfair local in New York city, or that
all central bodies throughout the country
would be called upon to refuse these locals
recognition and affilation.
The council held an executive session in
the evening but nothing official was given
to the press 1t was learned, however, that
when the council calls on Speaker Reed
tomorrow much stress Will be laid on the
importance Of early legislation In the inter
ests of organized labor.
Snecial attention, it is understood, viii
be called TO the workings of the proposed
amen dment TO the eight-hour law, and argu-
ments viii be made by President Gompers
and other members of the council, to show
how its enactment will result in bettering
the condition Of the wage-earners Of every
class, not olly financially, but morally. The
shortening OF hours, it will be shown. VIII
result in not only an increase of wages and
the giving Of employment TO a greater num-
Der Of workmen, but will also give all
greater opportunities for education and the
betterment Of their condition generally.
What is generally known as the contempt
bin will also be discussed, and early action
urged.
The council will meet again this morn
ing at 10 o'clock.
y ..I,