The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-14
FEDERATION OF LABOR
MANY RESOLUTIONS INTRODUCED
AND DISCUSSED.
One Memorializing Congress 10 Bar
suppressed After Debate.

KANSAS CITY, Mo-, Dec. 13.-The eight
zenith annual convention of the American
Federation of Labor had hardly begun bust
ness to-day when q recess was taken. Reso-
lutions touching q wide range of subjects
were introduced by various delegates In
each case, without discussion, the resolu-
tions were referred to appropriate commit
tees, to he acted upon by them later. One
resolution of particular interest was that
offered by Delegate Samuel Anters, of New
York, general treasurer Of the National
Garment Workers Union. 1t called on the
United States government to give its cloth
ing to union shops for manufacture instead
Of sweat shops. The resolution was given to
q committee. 1t is said 1t will without doubt
be adopted and telegram was sent at once
to Washington making the demand set forth
in the resolution.
James OCoDnell, of Chicago, grand master
Of the Machinsts' Union, offered a resolu-
ton giving the machinists jurisdiction over
all men employed mechanically in the care
of linotype machines. There has been
controversy between the printers and ma
chinists as to which union should control
this particular labor. The resolution was re-
ferred to a committee. hot fight is ex-
pected when the resolution shall be reported
back to the convention.
c. j. Kent, of Lincoln, Populist labor
commissioner for Nebraska and a personal
friend of VIM. j. Bryan, introduced an anti
expansion resolution. The preambes embrace
all the general arguments made against the
extension of the power of the United States
beyond the western hemisphere and de-
nounces the ''so-caHed policies of imperial
ism, expansion and colonization.
The most revolutionary measure was in
troduced by j. f. O'Sullivan, of Boston. 1t
asks Congress to impose an annual tax of so
per cent of the total products of any firm
or factory which employs women and chill
dren over eight hours per day or employs
children under the age of fourteen.
When the convention opened for the aft
ernoon, session Mr. Gompers read a tele-
gram from Washington announcing the pas
sage of the seaman's bill and the fact that
1t had gone to the President for his signature
The reading of the message was greeted
with applause T. j. Elderkin, secretary of
the National Seaman's Union, announced
that the bill was a victory for organized
labor and would be of very great benefit
to the seaman, although 1t was only COM
promise measure. eattt
The report of the executive council of the
federation, read to the convention by James
Duncan declared for the unqualified in
dorsement of the bill now pending before
Congress granting the referendum to the
residents of the District of Columbia. The
report also called attention to the indiscrim-
mate use OF the boycott Dy various trades
unions without the recognition of the fed
Grafton. 1t declared that hereafter no boy
colt would be recognized by the federation
until 1t had been laid before the executive
council for investigation and for the coun-
ciPS Endorsement.
The most interesting debate of the con-
Vention so far was brought on when the
committee on resolutions reported unfavor-
ably the resolution of William A. LOsse, of
Kentucky, memorializing Congress to pass
laws prohibiting the employment of women
resolution was based upon a preamble as
sorting that Woman is bodily incapable
of continuous manual labor without injury
to herself and eventually to the coming gen
eTationS of which she is expected to give
birth. and her rightful place is in the
home"
George L. NIcNeill a. venerable delegate
from Boston, who desires to be known as
Christian Socialist stirred the convention
by an eloquent protest against the adOp-
ton of any such resolution. He declared
that the fact that woman was forced into
the Industrial field, and that she was work.
ing there by the side of man, was Il terrible
Indictment against our modern civilization.
This state of affairs, he said, was a part
and parcel of our iniqutous and grinding
wage system. In conclusion Delegate Me-
NELL declared that nothing better would
be possible for woman until the hope of the
Social Democracy should be realized.
After an interesting debate the report of
the committee was adopted, and following
this action, Delegate John F.. O'Sullivan Of
Boston. offered a resolution urging the
more general formation of trade unions
among wage-working women as a means of
lettering their condition. The resolution
referred to resolutions committee
A resolution was adopted asking the
President to pay for the extra. time over
eight hours which employees of the Navy
Department and arsenals worked during
the war Another resolution touching the
affairs of the navy was offered by the dele
gates from the Boiler Makers Union 1t
urges the building of vessels in gov
eminent ship yards. This was referred to
the resolutions committee.
A fight over the financial resolutions was
avoided by the action of the committee on
resolutions in recommending that, in place
of the lengthy resolutions in favor of free
silver and denouncing the gold standard a
resolution be submitted reaffrmng the ac-
ton of the preceding convention on this
question. The recommendation was adopt
ed. A resolution was adopted urging Con-
gress to restore the wages of printers in
the Government Printing office from 49, to
81 a day.
The election of officers will not occur till
near the close of the conventions work and
as yet there is not very much talk about
candidates. Delegate Max Hayes. of Cleve-
land. Socialist. and few followers are
continuing their electioneering against
President Gomperss reelection. but appar-
emily have not gained much Roadway since
the convention opened. President Gompers
himself pays no attention to this antag-
onsm and his friends express no fear of his
not being reelected.