The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-18
FEDERATION OF LABOR
RESOLUTIONS ON MANY TOPICS DIS
CUSSED AND ADOPTED.
Congress Urged to Stop the Murder of
Cubans by Spanish Soldiers
The Eight-Hour Question.

NASHVILLE, Tenn, Dec. 17.-When the
American Federation of Labor met to-day
the report of the special committee on con-
Wet labor which was presented yesterday,
was brought up and the recommendations
of the committee were read. The report
adopted after some discussion.
Yhe committee on executive councils re-
port stated that the matter of dispute be-
tween the federation the National Union
of Steam Engineers and local union No.
6SO7, of Boston. had been mutually adjusted
to the full satisfaction of all parties con-
cerned The report was adopted.
Several spirited speeches followed the in
PRODUCTION of a resolution pertaining to the
situation in Cuba. The resolution declares
that it is the sense of this convention that
the United States Congress should waste
no more time in useless debate and diplo-
matte chicanery, but should take such i'm
mediate action as may tend to put an end
to the indiscriminate murder of the COM
mon people Of Cuba by Spanish soldiery"
The following substitute for the resolu-
ton was introduced THAT it be the sense
of the convention that Cuba should have
industrial freedom from which it will re-
ceive pontical freedom"
After a parliamentary tangle a motion
was made to lay the first resolution on the
table. The vote resulted S54 for and 1884
against the motion. The substitute was
then defeated. G. H. Warner made mo-
ton reiterating the position taken at Gin
cinnati, wnich was voted on and carried
and the Cuban matter ended.
The federation adopted a resolution adopt
ing amendment to the constitution of
the United States depriviDg the Supreme
Court of the United States and Supreme
Courts of States of power to set aside laws
made by the people.
A resolution declaring, that this conven-
ton demands the government ownership of
the telegraph lines of this country, and the
officers of this federation are hereby ordered
to do all in their power to assist the In
ternational Typographical Union to attain
this end" was adopted.
resolution protesting against anti
scalping legislation by Congress was
adopted, as was also a resolution looking
to the appointment of factory inspectors in
each State that at present has no such
officer
A resolution reported on in regard to re-
affirming the position of the Federation
towards the free and unlimited coinage of
silver at 16 to l, was referred back to the
committee. the report stating the resolution
was unnecessary, the matter having been
covered at previous meetings.
resolution pledging the moral and finan-
cial assistance of the federation to the Brit
ish engineers was referred without further
action.
In regard to the organization of the tile
layers the convention voted that the tile
layers should be organized whether those of
New York went into the movement or not.
AS to the eight-hour day and legislation by
Congress, the committee reported a sub
stitute covering the cases of women and
children and the substitute was adopted.
The contest in Utah by the unions in that
State for the cOnstitutionality of the eight
hour law was explained at length by Mr.
Whitaker and the recommendation of the
committee that the federation help pay the
expenses of the fight and indOrSe an appeal
from the unions of Utah for assistance was
adopted. The convention ordered that the
recommendations of the committee further
IN reference to the eight-hour day move
ment, including the giving of aid and as
sistance to such movements and that ma
tional and international presidents proceed
at once to organize, be adopted and the
committee was discharged.
All special organizers are hereafter to be
under the control of the president and be
appointed by him and it was also ordered
that the membership of the federal labor
strictest sense. The presidents advocacy
OF nigh dues was concurred in by the COM
mittee. but it was held that the time for q
defense fund had not arrived and that
the question should be submitted to the
affiliated organizations, which report was
adopted. The report further Endorsed the
presidents views on the division along sec
tional lines and commended his action in
regard to the miners strike 1t was or
dered that a representative be appointed to
stay in Washington and watch legislation
and the federationS stand against the prin-
ciple of compulsory arbitration was reiter-
ated. The proposition to create national
department of labor was indOrsed
The election of officers may be held to-
morrow afternoon. President GomperS and
the old officers desiring reelection WILL
seems to be the choice for the next meet
ing.