The record-union., 1898-01-04
HAWAIIAN QUESTION AGAIN.
ACTION OF THE FEDERATED
TRADES COUNCIL.
Reply to Structures Made by the
San Francisco Building
Trades Council.

al llS injecting last uiShL hiiC l. SNNi
ated Trades Council adopted the fol-
lowing in reply to recent criticisms
on it's action in opposing Hawaiian
annexation, emanating from the San
Francisco Building Trades Council:
Sacramento, Jan. B, 1898.
To officers and members Of the Build
ing Trades Council of San Francisco
Brothers: Replying to your resolutions
published in the Examiner of the
31st ult., we will not answer in kind
Deeming abuse and vituperation at all
times very poor argument, We adhere
strictly to facts in presenting the fol-
lowing review and comments on your
resolutions:
On December 9th Sacramento Fed
Grated Trades Council adopted reSolu-
tions setting froth the evils likely to
follow annexation of Hawaii We
handled the subject solely from labor
standpoint and in doing so did not
directly or indirectly allude to the
Building Trades Council or Labor
Commissioner Fitzgerald. Yet youa
first whereas covertly insinuates that
we had reflected on your past actions
and also on Mr.. Fitzgerald.
In second whereas you claim to
know from what source this opposI-
ton emanates,' dilating on sugar
trust" partisan feeling" the "State
printing scandal and the "laSt Legis-
lature." You charge us with action al
the behest Of organs of the sugar trust
This we emphatically deny and chal-
lenge you to prove the charge.
Your divergence from the truth
grows apace with further aspersions on
our motives. In retrospecting the last
Legislature you claim to See 'inf1u-
ences which at that time sought to re-
lieve the State Treasury of unnecessary
and unreasonable amounts to recom>
pense political obligations and take
care of a certain branch of organized
labor; have now allied themselves
with the mouthpieceS Of the sugar
trust in condemnation of Labor Com
missioner Fitzgerald and the Building
Trades Council
Sacramento Federated Trades Coun-
Gil denies the imputation and reiterates
the above challenge. However, we
plead guilty to having at that and sub
sequent times eXerted our efforts to-
ward averting distress which menaced
organized labor. We failed; privation
and want soon overlook many wage
workers. Now every department OF
the State Government is more or less
crippled for want of printing, and
about $50 union printers, pressmen
and bookbinders are idle. Can it be
that these deplorable facts produce ex-
ultation in your ranks? We accord
YOU the benefit of the doubt, brothers
and vanish the thought
6.7f11 1iy.nr n c
unions of San Francisco are not affili-
ated with your organization, and that
outside of the metropolis you have nc
representation, deeming yourself
worthy and capable of expressing
views as to the best interests OF labor,
is an absurdity. You charge us with
corruption because we differ with you
on annexation. Better extend similar
accusation to the American Fedora
tion of Labor, whose numerical
strength runs high into six figures and
IS on record as opposed to annexation
Now, tell US which central labor body
in the land besides the San Francisco
Building Trades Council favors an
nexation? AS to your being -untainted
with political influence" also let sus
know if Labor Commissioner Fitzgerald
and Deputy Dam are or have been
wage -earners or politicians.
Then follows sweeping condemnation
of labor organizations and the charge
that we are tending to destroy har-
mony in the ranks of labor" Sacra-
mento Federated Trades Council has
never questioned your sincerity or i'm
pugned your motives. Our organiza-
tion honestly aims to elevate working
men, and in striving toward that enc
are aloof from attempts to. rule ol
ruin kindred organizations.
You reiterate former actions in refer
ence to annexation, and believe that ii
is to the interest of American labor
to have this territory We, also wage
workers, entertain different views
Nevertheless, we respect your convic-
tions and do not condemn your action
If the annexation question can bt
definitely settled by the voice of labor
we ask you to name a committee oi
three from your organization, meet 6
like committee from ours. debate before
an impartial jury and abide by its de-
cision-
The last paragraph of your resolu-
tions deprecated the slur cast upon
The action of Labor Commissioner FftZ-
gerald" Mr. Fitzgerald is a public
servant. and his field of duty is ex-
clusively the State of California where
he can be kept very busy if attentive
to his duties. While in Washington
he grossly nlisrepresented us by
claiming that all labor in Cali
fornia favored annexation. At oul
meeting of December both we denied
the allegation, laconically repudiatec
the Labor Commissioner assertion
and Sacramento Federated Trades
Council stopped right then and there
Surely no slur in that,
And now, brothers, having disposed
of your resolutions in fraternal anC
friendly spirit, we will briefly deal will
Labor Commissioner FitZgerald's Off.
cial career, and possibly you will realize
that he is elongaung neither limbs IN
your organization.
The Commissioner first showed hi:
disregard for organized labor in tn,
appointment Of Give Dam as dep
uty. We know not when or whers
Mr.. Dam ever labored, but possibly