New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-10
THE BRITISH LABOR CONGRESS.

THE BRITISH LABOR CONGRESS.
While Labor Day was being varlously cele-
bra'ed in This country. largely. it must bc con-
fessed I'm WAYS Of no interest nor significance 10
work ingmen one Of the most important incl
dents of the year in the industrial world had It's
beginning This was the thrticth annual meet
ing Of the Trades Union Congress OF Great
Britain the largest and most powerful labor
organization in the world. Founded by George
Odgcr. a London shoemaker. it has made con-
slant growth. and effected. or materially assist
ed in erccting most OF the great industrial re-
forms Of the last quarter Of century. II
has not been without It's serious dangers
Perhaps the worst was thar Of n few years
ago. when Socialist demagogues Of the Burns
and Hardle type and professional agitators
who live in idlcness on the earnings Of their
mistaken followers attempted 10 capture it
and nearly succeeded. That danger is now
past Two years ago the Trades Councils
were excluded from the Congress. and II was
decreed that no one should be admitted as
delegate who was not either actually working
at a trade or was permanent paid employe or
n trade union. That rules out Messrs. John
Burns Keir Hardie TON" Mann and all such
men. and makes the Congress representative of
n
numbers somewhat. In 1891 it had 30 dele
gates. representing 1.302.Sbj members. This
year there are only 300 delegates, representing
1.2jO. 900 members. But the change has made
the Congress more truly representative and far
more effective for good
The thirty years OF the Congresses history
have been marked with noteworthy progress in
industrial affairs. in which the Congress has
itself played 4 leading part. When Odger began
10 organize il. trades-unionism was still regard
ed as unlawful Not. indeed until 1879 was full
freedom of organization and meeting granted to
workingmcn. There was then no such thing as
compensation for injuries. The very fact that
the Injured man was n workngman debarred
him from obtaining indemnity. II is an inter
csting coincidence that The present Congress
should meet just after the adoption by Con-
scrvative Government OF n strong and sweeping
law providing for s,ich compensation on a gen
erous scale. The Factory acts. the Truck acts.
the Mining acts and the Tlmsoll acts for the
protection OF seanen are also among the bcncf-
cent laws made since the establishment OF the
Congress. and largely because OF its efforts. Nor
Is its present programme unworthy Of It's past
achievements The eght-hour working day
has first place followed by electoral reform
taxation and further amendments OF the Fac
tory acts. besides n host OF minor proposals
which Will probably not get beyond the stage Of
academic discussion. Some Of these latter are
distinctly Socialist in tone. calling for the ma
tionaizaton OF land and all industries These
ale relics OF the great Socialist outbreak in the
Congress OF three years ago. and 10 be-
looked for now every year, bur are not TO be-
regarded seriously.
To some American agltators the methods OF
the Congress must seem hopelessly slow and
old-fogylsh. Yet they are worthy OF study. for.
as already observed. they have proved them
selves 10 be- uncommony effective Conserva-
tive rs they are. they have done more for the
interests Of worklngmen. and have done Il more
expeditiously. than any other In The world As
stated. all delegates must be actual working.
men. After the exercises Of the opening day
no one not a delegate is permitted 10 take part
in the proceedings OF the Congress No resolu.
ton will be accepted FOR consideration by the
Congress which has not been submitted M least
six weeks. and no amendments which have not
been submitted two weeks IN advance Of the
meeting. No delegate can offer any resolution
unless specially authorized to do so by the union
he represents. And when all resolutions are in.
Committee determines the order I'm which they
are 10 he brought before the Congress. This
Parliamentary Committee is the agency through
which The real work OF the Congress is done
When the Congress has finally adopted a Ger
tain resolution the committee takes II In hand
brings IL 10 the notice OF members OF Parlia-
ment and "lobbies"-in perfectly legitimate
way-for It's enactment. But the committee.
takes no such notice OF any such resolution
until it has been adopted not merely once. but
three times by the Congress. That is 10 say. a
resolution must be presented six weeks before
the Congress meets. and then be adopted three
times successfully by the Congress before any
real attempt Is made 10 secure favorable GOV.
eminent action upon IL. That is delberation
surely II leaves little chance for sensational
and lll-consdcrcd action But il has I'm prsc
teal experience been a most successful method
and II is earnestly 10 be commended rs an ex
ample 10 those impatient spirits who. .eypect.
ing all things in an hour" are making far loss
satisfactory progress.