The herald., 1897-12-21
Approved by Labor Lead
ers in Convention
CAGES FINANCIAL SCHEME
OPPOSED AS FAvORING THE
GOLD STANDARD
Labor News From Industrial Ccnters,
Consisting Chiefly Of Reports
of Cuts in Wages
Associated Press Special Wire

NASHVILLE. Tenn, Dec. 20.-When
the American Federation Of Labor met
today resolution relative to Legislation
on the postal savings bank system was
presented by the Committee on Resolu-
tions. The resolution, which indorses the
bill pending before Congress, favoring
the establishment Of postal savings
banks with the clause relative to the
national banks stricken out, was
adopted.
A resolution expressing approval Of the
national movement for the publication
Of primary elections was adopted.
Resolutions were adopted that an ef-
fort be made to organize firemen; that
special instructions for the organization
of journeymen bakers and their local
unions be issued; that efforts be made
to organize the brick masons who are
as yet unorganized. Several resolutions
relating to boycotts were acted upon
NASHVILLE, Dec. 20.-At the after
non session the ST. Louis convention and
president Gompers' action at 1t contin-
0ed to be discussed James O'Connell
said he attended the convention, though
he had not, in fact, signed the call. He
also claimed that the lnen who had been
Yuost active in attempting to disrupt
the movement during the miners strike
were being paid out Of funds contrib
uted by the American Federation of
Labor In answer to a question, he said
none Of the men he referred to had re-
manned on the scene after injunctions
were issued, but the organizers had re-
mained.
Ernst Kreft said II anything threat
ened the federation at the st. Louis
meeting, II was the presidents duty to
have gone there and protected the fed
Grafton.
]. G. Burnell then offered q resolution
approving the reasons given by Presi-
dent Gompers for not attending the ST.
Louis convention, which was adopted.
A strong discussion over the commit
tee resolution indorsing Independent po-
htical action and declaring against in
junction was participated In by Mcclure,
the author of the resolution; Kreft. Yar-
nell and Brennock, and. after defeating
an amendment offered by Kreft, the
resolution was adopted.
The resolution in reference to the free
coinage of silver Mt 16 to 1 was taken up,
and a substitute on the Gage bill was
adopted. as follows: s-~ - s.f ~
Resolved, That we declare ourselves
most positively opposed to the Gage
financial bill, recently introduced in
congress by the secretary Of the treas
ury. 1t Is a measure that, II adopted as
q law, will only all the more firmly rivet
the gold standard on the people of the
country and perpetuate its disastrous
effects in every form.
Resolved, That we pronounce the
Gage bill an undisguised effort to retire
our greenback currency and all other
government paper money. with view
to the substitution Of national bank notes
in their stead, and thus fasten the ma
tional bank system for years upon the
American people"
A resolution calling for the removal of
the federation headquarters from Wash
ington was reported unfavorably.
Fraternal delegates from foreign
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
Of each year was defeated.
The convention decided to increase the
per capita tax to cents, and the change
goes into effect February l, 1898.
An amendment to the constitution re-
quiring officers hereafter to be elected
on the last day of the convention was
adopted. The convention will complete
its business tomorrow and adjourn.
BUILDING TRADES COUNCIL
ST. LOUIS, Dec. 20-The first meeting
Of the National Building Trades council
was held in this city today and was
marked by scathing denunciation of
the American Federation of Labor for
having passed a resolution at Nashville,
opposing the formation Of the national
council.
The Federation of Labor opposed the
new organization as tending to create
. further division In the ranks OF labor.
The call for the convention was issued
by the Building Trades council Of St.
Louis. Fifty-four accredited delegates
responded.
The. session was executive, reporters
being refused admlttance.
It IL said, however, that the attitude
Of the Federation Of Labor came in for
q great deal of discussion and denun-
citation. resolution was adopted de-
ploring the action of the federation as
indicating willingness ito injure
Kindred organization at the time 1t
most needs friends"
An Organization will be perfected to-
morrow.
At today's session resolutions were
adopted denouncing the bill before con-
gress to prevent the pooling of railroads
and favoring the proposed postal savings
banks system.
4 WEAvERS ON A STRIKE
NEW YORK. Dec. 2O.--The weavers at
the German looms in the William
Strange Companys mills at Patterson.
N. j.. are on q strike against q reduction
Of wages.
WILL ACCEPT A CUT
SUNCoCK, N. H.. Dec. 20.--Notices
have been posted at the cotton mills,
by makers Of print-cloths, announcing a
reduction of wages of about 10 per cent
January ist. The cut will affect SUPER
intendents and overseers and oil en-
ploycs, including nearly 1900 operatives.
The monthly payroll amounts to about
$27.no0 1t Is probable that the cut Will
be accepted.
WON'T BE SOLDIERS
CHICAGO, Dec. 20.--The Times Her
eld says that trade unionists are re-