Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-12-22
AGAINST SOCIALISM.
The A. F. of L. Turns the Theory
Down BY Dscisiv. Vote
THE JUDICIARY is ARRiICSED.


Kansas City, Mo, Dec. l9.-Th'
ghost OF the old Debs strike arose in tn,
American Federation OF Labor conven
tion Saturday and for while a blus
terry squat prevailed. The delegates
had emerged nerve. worn and weary
from a debate OF several hours ID
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
arraigned 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 oil
the law awakened sympathy and thun'
ders of applause greeted his denuncia-
ton Of corporate influence upon the
court 80 heartily pleased were the
delegates with Mr.. Darrow's effort
that the convention gave him rising
vote OF thanks. Delegate Kent. Of Ne
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 ennnciate
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
bv George E. Mcneil, the veteran
writer and economist, who was chair.
man OF the committee. The industrial
commission, composed of five senators,
Il congressman and three labor repre-
sentatives, is supposed to investigate
the conditions complained of BY trades
unoGists and report its findings to
with such remedial recon.
as are believed to be nee.
essary. II is most important to the in
terests of trades unonists The com.
report, which was adopted by
the federation, was in substance as
follows:
Your committee Is of the opinion that COM
mission Of such magnitude and opportunity as
that Of the industrial commission recently
created by congress should have been composed
largely Of trades unionists selected by the
unions and that the failure to so secure the
men best fitted for the work, Is an offense wit
ngly or unwittlngly committed against Or
ranlzed labor Nevertheless the committee
believes that II behoOves the American FEEDER
ation Of Labor carefully to consider oil matters
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
peoplea iull and Just pre- 'entaton OF the exist
Ing conditions of the workers OF our country.
The federation afterwards adopted
q resolution protesting against Sunday
work and demanding that ali employ
,rs 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
he convention, and there is good
promise that 1t will. The present pro-
yramme is to hold the election Tuesday
afternoon, and to adjourn Tuesday
light The present officers will prob.
IDLY all be reelected. 1t Is predicted
hat they will receive 9,49S votes, and
hat only two votes will be cast against
mem.