Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-12-21
STOOD BY GBApERS.
His Critics Only Succeed in Get.
ting the Federation Chief In.
dorsed by Resolution.
RESOLUTION AGAINST CAGES BILL.

Convention Holds That It Means Retire
ment OF the Greenbacks and Perpetua-
ton Of the National Banks
Building Trades Council Meets and
Roasts the Federation-AIiners and OPP
er.tors Meet At Pittsbury.
Nashville. Dec. 21.-The Federation Of
Labor yesterday adopted a resolution
In favor Of postal savings banks, but
with the provision that they must have
nothing to do with national banks The
st. Louis convention and President
Compers' action in regard to it was
discussed. but the time was wasted by
those who wanted to find fault with
Gomrers. for at the end resolutions
were adopted approving the reasons
given by President Gompers for not
attending the convention. The resolu.
ton reported favorably by the commit
tee indorsing independent political &C.
ton and declaring against injunctions
was adopted. The resolution in refer
encc to the free coinage Of silver at IS
TO was taken up and a substitute upon
the Gage bill was adopted as follows:
That we declare ourselves most posi-
lively opposed 10 the Gage financial
bill introduced in congress by the secre-
tary OF the treasury. II Is a measure
that IL adopted as a law will only all
the more firmly rivet the gold standard
on the people OF the country and per-
petuate Its disastrous effects in every
form.
National Ranks Their Pet Aversion.
That We pronounce the Gage bill an
undisguised effort to retire our green
back currency and all government paper
money with view TO the substitution
OF national bank notes in their stead
and thus fasten the national bank sys-
tenn for years upon the American peo-
pie" Aresolution calling for the removal
OF federation headquarters from WASH
ington was reported unfavorably and
the report adopted. BY resolution
fraternal delegates from foreign coun-
tries were given privileges of voice and
vote In conventions. An effort TO change
the time OF the annual convention to
the third Monday in September of
each year was defeated. The conven-
ton decided to increase the per capita
tax TO cents. and the change goes into
eject Feb. I. 1893. An amendment 10
the constitution requiring officers here
after TO be elected on the last day of a
convention was adopted.
Criticises the Federation,
st. Louis. Dec. 2l-The first meeting
OF the National Building Trades Coun-
Gil was held in this city yesterday and
was marked by a warm denunciation
OF the American Federation of Labor
for having passed a resolution during
Its convention last week In Nashville
opposing the formation Of the national
council There are ffty-four delegates
present from all parts Of the country.
The American Federation OF Labor
passed a resolution condemning the ef-
fort to form a new organization and
stated that the effect would be to create
further division In the ranks Of labor.
The council yesterday went into execu-
tive session. excluding the newspapers,
and general discussion concerning the
Federation OF Labor's resolution ensued
and the federation was bitterly de-
nounced. Edward Carroll, Of Chicago.
was made temporary chairman, the
usual committees were appointed and
adjournment TO today taken.