The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-12-14
Labor Federation Resolution De-
nounces the Imperial Policy.
FROM BRYAN'S FRIEND
RESOLUTION INTRODUCED BY A
NEBRASKA OFFICIAL.
Another Resolution Demands That
Army Clothing Be Made By Union
Labor-How a Boston Delegate
Would Enforce Eight-hour Day
Little Opposition to Gompers.


Kansas City, Mo-, Dec. 1S.-The eight
zenith annual convention of the Amer
lean Federation of Labor had hardly
gotten down to business this morning
when a recess until o'clock was
taken. A flood of resolutions, touch
ing a. wide range of subjects were
introduced by various delegates. The
resolutions were referred to apDro-
pirate committees.
A resolution of particular interest
was that of Delegate Samuel Muller
of New York, president of the National
Garment Workers of America. 1t de-
clared that army clothing should be
made in union shops. and not in sweat
shops An effort to attain this result
was provided for
James O'Connell of Chicago, grand
master of the Machinists' union, offer
ed a resolution giving the machinists
jurisdiction over all men employed me-
chemically in the care of linotype ma
chimes. There has been a controversy
between the printers and machiniSts as
to which union should control this
particular labor. The resolution was
referred to a committee. A hot fight
on it is expected when the resolution
shall be reported back to the commit
tee.
James Duncan, representative OF the
International granite cutters, made a
report of his attendance as a delegate
to the British trade congress of Great
Britain last August. Mr.. Duncan de-
clared that the English trade unions
had made splendid progress in secur-
ing legislation tending to reforms along
different lines.
G. ]. Kent of Lincoln, Populist labor
commissioner for Nebraska, and a per-
sonal friend of William ]. Bryan, in
troduced an anti-eXpansion resolution.
The preambles embrace all the general
arguments made against the extension
of the power of the United States be-
yond the western hemisphere. and de-
nounce the "so-called policies of i'm
perialiSm, expansion and colonization. ="
The most revolutionary measure was
introduced by J. T. O'Sullivan of Bos-
ton. 1t asks congress to impose an an
nual tax of so per cent of the total
products of any firm or factory which
employs women and children over eight
hours per day, or employs children
under the age Of IA.
The election of officers will not oc-
cur until near the Wind-uD of the con-
Vention'S work, and as yet there is
not very much talk about candidates.
Delegate Max Hayes, the Cleveland So
cialist, and a few followers, are con-
tinuing their electioneering against
President Gompers' reelection, but ap-
parently have not gained much head
way since the convention opened. Pres
ident Gompers himself pays no atten-
ton to this antagonism, and his friends
express no fear of his not being re-
elected.
When the convention opened for the
afternoon session, Mr.. Gempers read a
telegram from Washington, announc-
ing the passage of the seamen'S bill,
and the fact that it had gone to the
president for his signature. The read
ing Of the message was greeted with
applause.
The report of the executive council
of the Federation, read to the conven-
ton by James Duncan. declared for
the unqualified endorsement 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 indiscriminate
use Of the boycott by various trades
| unions without the recognition of the
Federation. 1t declared hereafter that
no boycott would be recognized by the
Federation until it had been laid be-
fore the executive council for investi-
GuuOISG-
ment
The most interesting debate of the
convention so far was brought on when
the committee on resolutions reported
unfavorably the resolution Of William
A. Lossie of Kentucky, memorialiZing
congress to pass laws prohibiting the
employment of women by the govern
ment in any capacity. The resolution
was based upon a preamble, asserting
that woman is bodily incapable of
continuous manual labor without in
jury to herself and eventually to the
| coming generations, to which she is
| expected to give birth, and her right
full place is in the home"
George e. MCNEIL, a venerable dele
gate from Boston, who desires to be
known as a Christian socialist, stirred
the convention by an eloquent protest
against the adoption of any such reso-
luton. He declared that the fact that
woman was forced into the industrial,
field was a terrible Indictment against
our modern civilization.
After an interesting debate the re-
port of the committee was adopted.
A fight over the financial resolutions
was avoided by the action of the com
mittee on resolutions in recommending
that in place of the lengthy resoIu.
! tions in favor of free silver and de.
nouncing the gold standard, a resolu-
ton be submitted reaffirming the ac-
| ton of the preceding convention or
! this question. The recommendation
was adopted.
| A resolution was adopted urging con.
| gress to restore the wages of printers
in the government printing office from
! 60 On tO "a q dau