Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1898-12-22
AGAINST SOCIALISM.
The A. F. of L. Turns the Theory
Down by a Decisive Vote.
THE JUDICIARY IS ARRAlCTED.
A Chicago Lawyer Declares That Our
JudgeA Are Partial to Corporations and
Are Influenced by WeRIth-The
industrial Commission.


Kansas City, Mo-, Dec. 19.-The
ghost of the old Debs strike arose in the
American Federation OF Labor conven-
ton Saturday and for while a blus-
terry squall prevailed. The delegates
had emerged nerve.worn and weary
from debate of several hours in
which socialism in all its multiform
theories had been threshed over and
over again and which was finally
turned down by vote of 1,SO7 to 400.
Clarence barrow, OF Chicago, the
lawyer who defended Debs, had made
a fiery but topical speech wherein he
arraigued the Judiciary for partially
to the corporations and the influences
of wealth. His utterances struck a re-
sponsive chord; his pictures of the
struggles of the poor at the hands Of
the law awakened sympathy and thun.
ders of applause greeted his denuncia-
ton of corporate influence upon the
court So heartily pleased were the
delegates with Mr.. Darrow's effort
that the convention gave him rising
vote of thanks Delegate Kent, of Me-
braska, arose in the tumult and asked
the federation bureau of literature to
publish and disseminate the speech as
labor literature.
A committee appointed to enunciate
the federation's attitude toward the
investigations Of the industrial COM
mission appointed by the last con-
gress returned report which Is the
most important measure that has come
before the convention. 1t was drafted
by George Il, Mcneil, the veteran
writer and economist who was chair
man of the committee. The industrial
commission, composed of five senators,
II congressman and three labor repre-
sentatives, is supposed to investigate
the conditions complained of by trades
unionists and report its findings to
congress, with such remedial recon-
mendations as are believed to be nec-
essary. 1t is most important to the in
terests of trades unionists. The COM
mittee's report, which was adopted by
the federation, was in substance as
follows:
Your committee Is of the opinion that a COM
mission OF such magnitude and opportunity as
that OF the industrial commission recently
created by congress should have been composed
largely OF trades unionsts, selected by the
unions. and that the failure to so secure the
men best fitted for the work, Is an offense wit
tngly or unwittlngly committed against orr
ganized labor Nevertheless, the committee
believes that 1t behooves the American FEEDER
alton Of Labor carefully to consider all matters
pertaining to the scope and direction of the
work OF the commission and TO offer such sug-
gestions as will best tend to bring before the
people full and just presentation OF the exist
ing conditions Of the workers OF our country
The federation afterwards adopted
a resolution protesting against Sunday
work and demanding that ali employ
ers grant their workmen one days
rest in seven.
The American Federation Of Labor
enjoyed tranquil day Sunday. The
delegates are hoping the quiet will
continue throughout the remainder of
the convention, and there is good
promise that it will. The present pro-
gramme is to hold the election Tuesday
afternoon, and to adjourn, Tuesday
night. The present officers will prob
ably all be reelected, 1t is predicted
that they will receive 9,49S votes, and
that only two votes will be cast against
them,