The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-17
FEDERATION OF LABOR
SOCIALISM DISCUSSED BY THE DEL
EGATES MOST OF a DAY.
Resolutions Adopted COndemning the
Tobacco Trust-Painters' TrOu-
bIes Adjusted.

KANSAS CITY, Mo, Dec. 16.-Socialism
was the absorbing topic before the conven-
ton of the American Federation OF Labor
to-day. The Socialist delegates made de-
termined effort to infuse socalistic doc
trines into the law of the federation. Prob
ably they will not succeed, for there is
majority against them, but the Socialist
orators held the floor good part of the
day and will continue their argument to-
morrow, for the issue had not been decided
when the session adjourned this evening.
The Socialists claim to be pleased with the
developments of the day and they say that
for the first time in the history of the fed
GRAFTON the question was discussed with dig
nifty and liberation on both sides, and with
apparent understanding of the issue. and
this, they say, marks an epoch of advance
ment of socialism among the trades union
lists. So great was the interest in the dis
cussion and SO general the liberation that
the flVe-minute rule of the convention was
not enforced against several of the more
eloquent Socialist orators. Delegate John F..
Tobin, of Boston, created something of a
sensation when, in the course of an impas-
stoned speech he declared that he had been
given to understand that President Gompers
intended to vote with the Social Democratic
party and ITO recommend all he should
come in contact to do likewise" Mr.. Tobin
urged that what the president of the fedora
ton thought good enough to adopt the fed
Grafton need not fear. President Gompers
did not deny the assertion of Mr.. Tobin.
The resolution that precipitated the de-
bate was to the effect that the constitution
OF the Federation be changed so as to adj
init of the Endorsement of no political party
except that bearing on the class conscious
propaganda for abolition of the wage sys-
tenn. This is socialism pure and simple
Inc committee on laws did not concur in
this resolution or in a second resolution in
dorslng the Social Democracy. 1t recon-
mended the widest scope of discussion of all
economic questions bearing upon the system
OF trades unions, but called attention to the
fact that the Federation had always refused
to lndorSe any kind of politics, and recon-
mended that the rule be closely adhered to.
Mr. Tobin introduced this resolution as an
amendment to the report:
Resolved That this convention, believing
that the labor problem will be solved only
when the lands and means of production and
distribution and exchange are held as COM
mon property, and that the trades union
movement. together with political action on
class lines, are the best methods to reach
this end, we therefore commend trade
unonists to vote only for such political par
ties as stand for the principles enunciated
herein"
The convention to-day adopted resolutions
again condemning the Tobacco Trust. The
resolutions which were passed after a spir-
tied debate, in which the delegates set forth
the alleged wrongs against organized labor
practiced by the trusts, follows:
Recognizing the fact that a paralyzing
hand of the trust. in making inrOads upon
the rights and privileges of labor and hui
manity, is the most serious menace to in
dustrial well being, public tranquility and
perpetuity of our Republic we hereby
pledge our moral and material support to
all other independent manufacturers to help
them in their fight, our fight, and the fight
of humanity against the blighting curse of
trust ACKNOWLEDGMENT. To give practical eff
feet to these sentiments, we hereby request
and urge upon all members of the Fedora
ton of Labor and all patriotic citizens who
are consumers of tobacco to purchase only
the chewing and smoking tObaccos and
cigarettes OF Independent factories who use
the label of the Tobacco-wOrkers' Union;
be it further ~ sVat asFlssf soa
Resolved, That the secretary of the
American Federation of Labor be, and is
hereby instructed to have forwarded a copy
of these resolutions to every union affiliated
with the Federation of Labor"
The trouble among the painters was dis
posed of before adjournment, the followers
of Barrett being declared seceders, and all
organizations affiliated with the federation
were notified to treat them as such until
they. consent to amalgamation with the