The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-21
FEDERATION OF LABOR.
1t Vigorously Condemns Secretary
Cages Financial Scheme.

1t vigorously Condemns Secretary
Cages Financial scheme.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, Dec. 2O.-When the
American Federation of Labor met to-day
a resolution relative to legislation on the
postal savings bank system was laid before
the convention by the committee on resolu-
lions. The resolution indorses the bill pend
ing before Congress. favoring the estab-
lishment of postal savings banks, with the
clause relative to the national banks strick-
en- out 1t was adopted.
A resolution expressing approval of the
national movement for the publication of
primary elections was adopted Resolutions
We're also adopted urging that an effort
be made to organize firemen; that special
instructions for the organization of jour-
neymen bakers and their local unions be is
sued; that efforts be made to organize the
brckmasons who are as yet unorganized.
AT the afternoon session the ST Louis
convention and President Gompers's action
in regard to it was discussed. James O'Con-
nell said he attended the convention though
he had not, in fact, signed the call. He also
claimed that men who had been most ac-
tive in attempting to disrupt the movement
during the miners strike were being paid
out of funds contributed by the American
Federation of Labor He disclaimed any in
tention of denouncing any one, but insisted
he had stated a fact. In answer to a ques-
ton he said none of the men he referred to
had remained on the scene after injunc-
lions were issued, but organizers had re-
manned. Ernest Kreft said if anything
threatened the Federation at the st. Louis
meeting it was the presidents duty to have
gone there and protected the Federation.
Frank Morrison insisted that such reason
ing would apply to any kind of a conven-
ton called by anybody.
j. G. Durnell then offered a resolution ap-
proving the reasons given by President
Gompers for not attending the ST. Louis
convention, which was adopted.
a strong discussion over the resolution
dorsing independent political action and
declaring against injunctions was partici-
pated IN by Mcguire. the author of the
and. after defeating an amendment offered
by Mr.. Kreft, the resolution was adopted.
the resolution in reference to the free
coinage of silver at Is to l was taken up
and a substitute on the Gage bill was
adopted, as follows:
Resolved, That we declare ourselves most
positively opposed to the Gage financial bill
recently introduced in Congress by the Sec
rotary of the treasury. 1t is measure that
II adopted as law will only all the more
firmly rivet the gold standard on the peo-
pie of the country and DerDetuate it's dis
astrous effects in every form.
ReSolVed, That we pronounce the Gage
bill an undiaguised effort to retire our
greenback currency and all government pa
per money; with view to the substitution
of national bank notes in their stead, and
thus fasten the national bank system for
years upon the American people,"
A resolution calling for the removal of
federation headquarters from Washington
was reported unfavorably and the report
adopted. By resolution fraternal delegates
from countries were given privileges of
voice and vote in conventions. An effort
to change the time of the annual conven-
ton to the third Monday in September each
year was defeated. The convention decided
to increase the per capita tax to cents,
and the change goes into effect Feb. /,
1898. An amendment to the constitution re-
quiring officers hereafter to be elected on
the last day of a convention was adopted
The convention will complete all business
tomorrow and adjourn.