Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-09
Annual Convention of American
Branch at Nashville.
THE SUBJECTS TO Be CONSIDERED
Scope of the Organization and Its
Numerical Strength.
COLLECTION OF STATISTICS

labor circles throughout the country in the
annual convention Of the American Fedora
ton of Labor which meets nj Nashville
1enn, Monday next. Among the principal
subjects for consideration will he:
The eight-hour work day; methods for
more thorough organization: the immigra-
uon question; gov eminent by Injunction.
defining more clearly the attitude of the
trades unions in regard TO political parties
ana political actions; higher dues; the
creation of, a defense fund: the appoint
hlehl Oh special organizers to assist unions
already affiliated in a more thorough or
2aniZa:ion of their various crafts and act
as arbitrators in disputes with their en-
ployerS, organize Few unions advance The
trades union movement generally, preach
the benefits of thorough organization and
boom the labels of the various unions; es-
tablishing postal savings banks by the gov
ernment of the United States and the
formation OF new national unions from the
scattered locals.
Many other measures which are regard
ed as necessary TO the welfare of the
masses will also come up for considerable
ana enactment. There will he contest
Tor supremacy between the machinists and
printers union for the control by the for
mer OF the linotype machine tenders
ne labor unions of Nashville will pro-
vide entertainment for the delegates
tA'hci tti- uiItCtlCn OF jesse Johnson
president of the Pressmen's international
L MON. The Hotel Tulane mas been selected
as the headquarters of the officers of the
federation. as we'll the delegates Gov
taylor OF tennessee, VIII welcome the dele
gates on behalf OF the state, while Mayor
dudley of Nashville. will extend to them
the freedom of the city. The business men
OF Nashville have raised quite a large sum
OF money TO be devoted to entertaining the
delegates.
Washington Delegates.
Those who Will attend the convention
from this city are: Mr.. Samuel Gompers,
president of the a. F. of L.; Mr. Frank
j. Morrison. secretary of the trade organi-
cations: Mr.. William Silver, president Of
the Central Labor Union, and his alternate
Mr. keane, representing the Central Labor
ohlon, and Mr.. Andrew Murray renrc-
sentinS the International Amalganlated As
Soci2ton OF Carpenters and Joiners of
America.
The annual convention Of the American
feder&tioa of Labor conveucs at IL o'clock
am the second Monday in December al
such place as The delegates may have Sc
Iected at the preceding convention. The
central labor body of the city in which the
conventions are hcld usually makes The ar
fahgemenis for a meeting hall. hotel ac-
concentrations, and a program of entertain
meht Tor The Delegates while attending the
convention.
About ten days before the annual con-
Nention the president of the Ameri an
Federation OF Labor is required to notify
the executive officers of three national or
international unions affiliated, each of
which is to name one of their DELEGATES
elect TO the convention, and these three
delegates So named compose the auditing
committee This committee meets IN the
city where the convention is to be held
three days prior to the convention.
Number of Representatives.
1t is often the subject of comment that
the Federation of Labor has q compare
lively small number of delegates in attend
ance at its annual conventions. The idea
is to have a working legislative body.
Where there are large masses attending
convention, it is claimed, there is no real
legislation. The number of delegates TO
which national or international organiza-
ton is entitled are as follows: one dele
gate for 1000 members: two delegates for
5000 members: three delegates for 5000:
four for $1,000, and five for G4.oOo. In order
to maintain the full rights of those -epre-
scented and to protect the representation &C
cording to numerical strength, each dele
gate is entitled to cast one vote for every
hundred members represented.
This system gives the four delegates from
the International Typographical Union
about :iSl votes: four cigar makers dele
gates, $50 votes; four carpenters delegates,
200 votes three delegates from the United
Mine Workers, 100 votes: machiniSts, 40
votes; iron molders 100 votes. and 50 on.
Central labor bodies and state declarations
of labor. local unions not having a ma
tional union. and federal labor unions, are
entitled to one delegate. Only bona fide
wage workers. not members of or eligible
to membership in other trade unions. are ell
igible as delegates from federal trade unions.
Each of these delegates is entitled 10 one
vote.
Methods Employed.
Where there is more than one local union
in any city belonging to any national or