The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14

wise to modify our position in so far as to
interpose no objection to the passage of a
law providing for compulsory arbitration
IN disputes between the organized employees
Of the railroads and the railroad companies
ana the giving of an award by such lawful
arbitrators. but we should hesitate to give
cur ENDORSEMENT to any legislation. state or
national, empowering the compulsory en-
forcement of an award end tho specific en-
forcement of contract to labor There
BhoId be no equivocation as to our position
on any question. much less one of such
Importance as immigration.
Several bills were introduced in Congress
dealing with the evil which has grown UP
il recent years by the issuance of writs of
Injunction in labor disputes restraining OFF,
GERS and members of labor organiZasi onS
rom performing those lawful functions
which have been recognized as within the
rights of the workers. OF these bills, dealing
With various phases of the subject, one
PASSED the Senate providing for trial by
jury in contempt proceedings for violation
or the injunction. This bill failed in the
House. il is alleged for want of time With
In the past year the evil of these injunc-
tons has been more fully demonstrated. In
the miners strike injunctions were issued
made returnable fully seven weeks after the
writ was issued, evidently with the purpose
OF Gripping the Efforts of the miners cffi-
Gals. and our fellow-unionists who CO.
operated with them, in the hope that by
the time the writ was made returna5le the
strike would be ended. Though the jniunc-
tons were frequently ignored and violated
the companies or the courts deemed it pru-
dent 10 avoid arresting the men for con-
AS TO BoYCoTTs.
Recently one of the branches of the Fed
eral Courts decided by majority vote that
the boycott is illegal. Whether the decision
rendered is applicable to all cases or simply
to the one Immediately under consideration
has not yet fully transpired. 1t is manifest
that the workers should have the same
right which other citizens enjoy-the right
which neither constitutions grant nor
courts deny-the right to stand by our
friends, patronize our sympathizers and CO.
operators, and to withhold patronage
from those who are antagonistic to us and
our cause; and the further right to acquaint
our people with our preferences. While
there is no desire here to argue in favor of
our rights, we should demand the change
of any law which curbs the privilege and
the right of the workers TO exercise their
normal and natural preferences In the
meantime we should proceed as we have OF
old, and wherever a court shall issue an in
junction restraining any of our fellow
workers from placing a concern hostile to
1abors interest on our unfair list; enjoining
the workers from issuing notices of this
character, the further suggestion is made
that upon any letter or circular issued upon
matter of this character, after stating the
name of the unfair firm and the grievance
complained of, the words, We have been
concern could be added with advantage
In connection with this subject ii is well
to bear in mind that this weapon of labor is
most potent, and one which should be exer-
cised with the greatest degree of care, and
with an intense purpose to be absolutely
just. An unjust or inconsiderate boycott
does more to injure the cause of labor than
hundred victories achieved through its
agency Whenever an application has been
submitted to headquarters an investigation
was instituted, and the concern complained
against given an opportunity to state its
version OF the matters in dispute. In no
case has a concern been placed upon Cur
We don't patronize' list until it has had an
opportunity to be heard in it's own defense.
these subjects it was accompanied by the
suggestion of an adjustment mutually hon
orable and advantageous, and rendering, IL
necessary our good offices to accomplish
that purpose. AT times organizations have
objected to the time between submitting the
application and the approval of the same
by the executive council. They have la
bored under the impression that their simple
statement of their complaint should be
sufficient and have therefore, been mpa-
tient with what they regarded as unneces-
sary delay. They fail to realize that we must
must also be in the right. Then again it is
pleasing, and especially worthy of your at
tention. that of the applications submitted,
fully one-third were adjusted through the
intervention of the A. L. of l.. office with
out the necessity of placing the concerns
upon our unfair list"
President Gompers announced the, follow
ing regular committees:
On the Report of the President-Martin
Furuseth and William Silver.
On the Executive Councils Report-M. ID.
Ratchford, William O'Brien. Andrew Muir
ray, G. A. Whitaker and Edward Moore
On the Secretary's Report-Ready Kene-
han, Ed H. Hirsch, j. B. Myers, Dan Ma
honey and Homer d. Call.
On Laws-P. ]. Mcclure, James Duncan,
robin. ~ -. ''''' '''
On Resolutionss-J. B. Lennon, ]. C. Der
nell, James f. Valentine, John E. O'Sulli-
van and Charles Myers.
On Grievances--T. d. Fitzgerald, ]. A.
Moffett, w. ]. Spencer, August Priester-
back and IL. A. LargeS.
On Local and Federated Bodies-G.. J.
Bennett, w. d. Mahon, I. ]. Murphy, JAS
McCabe and George H. Warner.
On Organization-W. e. Klapetzky,
Arthur Leslie, ID. j. Keefe, e. j. Lynch and
On Labels and Boycotts-James O'Con-
nell, j. s. >IIedberg, John White, Fred
BOzely and Samuel Ross.
The delegates will be well entertained
while here. They will be given barbecue
tomorrow night and an opossum supper
Thursday evening. On Wednesday night
mass meeting in the interest of organizing
the city is to be held and on Friday even
ing there will be musical entertainment
REPORTS OF OTHER OFFICERS.
At the close of Mr.. Gompers's address
recess was taken. Vice President Mcguire
presided at the afternoon session, which was
well attended. Secretary Morrison present
ed his report. showing an increase in re-
eeipss of $2,S49 over the previous year. An
extra amount lad been expended in or
ganization, and A,2@ new members were en-
rolled. The greatest item of expense was
$3.50 for organization, and of this 5000 had
been used in sending organizers among the
miners during he great strike. Expenses
for the year werc $l9,1l3 The report stated
the Federationist the organ of the feder-
ation had been increased in size at an in
creased expense. but receipts had exceeded
expenditures. During the year, the report
states, 25 strikes had been officially no
ticed. involving 165.4W workers OF these,
1s9 were won. thirty-one compromised and
thirty-three lost. During the year 217 char
tiers were issued to national, state, central,
local and federal labor unions. Two char
tiers for state declarations were issued to
Ohio and Missouri. The report states the
indications are favorable for continuance
of the use of labels. The secretary recon-
men6S that the per capita tax for local and
federal labor unions TO the federation be
increased from TO cents per member.
Treasurer John b. Lennon then submitted
his report, showing the income of the fed
GRAFTON from Nov. l, 1896. to Nov. /, 1897, to
be $21,S0S and the expenses $19,1l3, leaving a
balance in the treasury of 1864. which.
added to $1,000 now in the hands of the sec
rotary, gives a total balance OF 1854. The
report was referred to the committee on
treasurer's report.
ALL SALARIES MAY BE cur.