The Indianapolis journal., 1898-09-30
ELWOOD GETS THE NEXT
INDIANA FEDERATION of LABOR
CONVENTION ADJOURNS.
Among Many Reforms Proposed Was
One that the State Furnish school
books to Poor Children.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.


TERRE HAUTE Ind, Sept 29-At the
morning session of the convention of the
Indiana Federation of Labor a resolution
was adopted extending sympathy to the coal
miners of Pana, Ill. Another was adopted
indorsing the local union of the brewers
The cigar makers of Terre Haute offered a
resolution to the effect that as the children
of many of the working poor of the State
are without necessary schoolbooks that the
State should be asked to provide such chill
dren with books.
The legislative committee of the Fedora
ton hereafter is to assist the miners in hav-
ing passed ANY bill they may bring before
the Assembly"
1t was decided to ask candidates for the
Legislature to sign pledges to vote for a
measure reducing the legal rate of interest
to per cent.
1t was resolved that inasmuch as the coal
operators of West Virginia had refused to
abide by the scale of wages adopted by the
joint meeting of operators and miners at
Chicago, and the miners there are work
ing under conditions worse than chattel
slavery the Federation indorsed the action
of the United Mine Workers in placing a
boycott on West Virginia coal
The Legislature is to be asked to lower
the tax rate.
Owing to the increasing number of bar
ber schools the trade is reported as becom-
ing demoralized and the public health is said
to be endangered, and a resolution was
passed asking for law requiring all bar
bers to pass an examination. The resolution
brought a bitter discussion
Elwood Washingtn and Evansville were
presented places for the 1899 meeting
delegate from the latter place said the hold
ing of the convention there would greatly
enhance the cause of labor. On the ballot
Elwood received As votes, Evansville 22 and
Washington 2
The Legislature is to be asked for a law
compelling the employment of two men in
stead of one on street cars. IL was salu that
in number of cities there is only one man
10 car. The resolution providing a boy
colt on all persons allowing the battle AK
tobacco advertisement placed on their prop
erty or handling the product was amended
to read Such action TO be taken only after
careful investigation by the local organIza-
tiOn.
The committee on resolutions reported un-
faNorably on the one cOndemning depart
ment stores and declaring a boycott on
them There was spirited debate on the
report G X. Heuch, of the Fort Wayne
typographical Union said that the printers
nad accepted the typeSetting machines as
that machines be placed in offices, but when
they are placed the printers wanted control
OF them. In this spirit, he said, the depart
ment store should be received. The report
OF the committee was nOnconcurred in, now
ever.
An unfavorable report was made on the
proposition to change Labor day to date
In May or June The glass workers adVo-
Gated the change.
A favorable report was made on the reso-
luton to boycott the Hamilton, o., brewery.
A resolution was adopted that it is the
sense of the Federation that the State
should furnish free schoolbooks to all pupils
of the Dublic schools
There was heated debate over the motion
to give President Perkins authority to ap-
point organizers, but the motion was finally
carried by a large majority.
1t was decided to appoint committee of
five to confer with the wardens and other
officials of the prisons IN regard to the anti
convict labor law This committee is also
to confer with the legislative committee of
the Federation.
The committee reported in favor of an
amendment to the child labor law by which
it will be made the duty of the factory
INSPECTOR TO enforce the law The Legisla-
ture will be asked to amend the law of 1898
which makes ii a misdemeanor TO post signs
discriminating against any kind of labor;
also, for an amendment to the general char
ter of cities which will give the privilege
of rejecting all bids and doing any and all
city work by the employment of labor di-
rect; also to amend the fire escape law to
all >schoolhouses and public buildings three
or more stories in height; also. that all boil
ers not inspected by insurance companies
shall be inspected by the State
John +. White, of Indianapolis opposed
the resolution of the Muncie bottle makers
against the junk shop traffic In bottles. say
ing il was a subterfuge and an improper
method of righting a wrong. Many of the
delegates held that the traffic in second
hand bottles is a menace TO the public
health. The resolution was adopted.
The convention this afternoon did but lit
tie business, as the delegates wanted an adj
journment in time to catch the trains for
home. A committee reported that it had
waited on the local glass dealers to ask that
they do not buy from the nonunion Pitts
burg Plate Glass Company.
In the reports of organizers Mr.. Heuch. OF
Fort Wayne. said that in his city during
the year a number of trades had been or
ganized John n Peters said that federal
labor union with three hundred was organ
lied at Elkhart. President Van Horn. OF the
miners said there had been some improve
ment in the southern part of the State.
where labor the least organized The
convention adjourned this afternoon.
Failure nt Cincinnati.
L CvINCINrNT 2Q-Erad C.