The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-23
VIII HOLD ALOOF.
Federation of Labor Will Not Take
Part in Chicago Convention.


WASHINGTON, Sept. 22.-The executive
council of the American Federation of La
Dor met to-day at the headquarters of the
organization in this city to discuss the min
ing situation. There were present Samuel
Gompers, the president of the A. f. of L..
Secretary Frank Morrison, p. ]. Mcclure
CT Philadelphia, James Duncan of Balti-
more, James OConnen of Chicago. Mr.
Garland of Pittsburg NJ. D. Ratchford
president of the United Mine Workers As
sociation; Cameron Miller, of the execu-
tive board of the u. NJ. W., and Frank ]
Weber one of the Federation of Labor or
ganzers in the West Virginia mining dis
trict The question was discussed at
length, and tonight the council issued an
address which, in part, follows:
"a call has gone forth to the trade unions
and public for labor convention in Chi
cago next Monday. The ostensibIe objects
are to take measures in aid of the miners
on strike and to offset the sweeping pow
ers of the courts in granting in1unctions
in defiance of popular rights during labor
disputes. These objects are very COMMENT
able and worthy the active practical sup
port of every trade unionist and every low
er of his fellow-man. But conditions have
somewhat changed since that convention
was agreed on. This week fully seventy
five thousand miners have gone to work
on terms fixed jointly by the miners and
operators. 1t is the greatest victory gained
by trades unions in years. 1t was won
against the combined power of wealth, ju-
dicial usurpations and inhuman tyranny.
THE American Federation of Labor, be-
lieVing only in practical methods, has de-
cided to continue its support with organ
iZers and money until q complete victory
for the miners is won. To this end it calls
on its unions and on the public to not halt
in their full and unmeasured aid to this
worthy movement. Many families still need
support, and money will be required uutil
fafIlx al
to help themselves Let the trades unions
be liberal in their donations until this
struggle is crowned with complete sue
I'VE can see no need for the labor con-
vention in Chicago next Monday We ad-
wise our unions not to be represented there.
The money it would cost to send delegates
had better go to help the suffering miners
and their families. 1t is not by conven-
tions, with irresponsible talk, inhamma-
tory declarations and revolutionary bun
conbe that the cause of labor can be ad
vanced. Violent appeals to the passions of
the multitude can serve no good purpose:
1t is only by systematic organization or
the working people in trades unions. with
united hearts and united funds and ira
ternity of purpose which knows no bonds OF
creed, color, nationality or polucs that
will up1ift the masses.
Trades unions are not the promoters of
social disorders or the upholders OF riot or
revolution Our course is along the lines or
neace and historical, orderly development.
We are law-abiding citizens, and IL the law
or it's administration at times is against us
we are confident that an enlightened puDnc
Opinion will ultimately correct the wrong.
Hence we here make appeal to all Ia f-Tnnd-
ed moIderS of public thought, to our public
men, to the clergy and the press to make a
decided stand henceforth with US against
the unfair and unconstitutional use OF Ju-
dicial injunctiOns which are wholly sub
versiye Of popular liberty.
'sWe further urge the citizens of our eri-
tire country to rise unitedly at the polls in
every State and elect men to make and
r,te.t~ -1rV 1a wi n "
make forever impossible these new forms of
judicial tyranny and political pllancy which
now prevail in the service of corporated
During the day the subject of the men,
bership OF employers and toremen In an
affiliated union at Bonner, Mont, was dis
cussed at length by the council, it being
alleged that the working members of the
union were not free in the exercise OF their
rights by reason of the membership of their
employers. a decision was reached COM
neljing the employers and their foremen
and bosses TO be released from their men,
bership i'm the organization in order that
the original purpose for the betterment of
the wage workers may not longer be IN
terfered with.
The dispute existing between the United
Hatters Of North America and the John IL.
Stetson Company was also matter of dis
cussion and some of the executive officers
Of the Federation will request the firm TO
recognize the union of hatters and TO grant
fair and reasonable conditions to their en-
ployes.
for a general boycott OF nrms antaSonlStic
To union interests the conclusion was
reached that il would be more advisable and
more. lust to examine into each individual
complaint, in order that firms who would
agree TO employ union help may not be
placed at a disadvantages as they would be
under a general boycott.
The council also decided to continue its
present organizers in the mining districts
of West Virginia and Illinois and TO appoint
two additional organizers to aid the miners