The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1898-07-30

The Movement That Doesn't Move.
The last convention of the American
Federation of Labor selected the ma
chinists and pressmen to lead off in
the -talked-about advance which
organized labor was to make in es-
tablishing the eight-hour day. That,
however, is practically all that it did,
for no provision whatever was made
for supporting these internationals
when once they plunged into the cam
paign except the moral support Of the
Federation. 1t was as if the United
States government were to designate
an army to land in Cuba with the I'M
derstanding that the army was to find
ITSELF in provisions, clothing, arms
and ammunition-the government only
extending its moral support. The re-
suit of this, clearly foreseen and fore
told by leading trades unionists, is that
there was no demonstration of any
kind on May 1, no demand anywhere
by either of the unions for the shorter
Workday.
Grand Master Machinist James o.
Cornell, Of the International Associa-
ton OF Machinists and metal workers,
Issued an address in which he says:
Considering the gravity of the uues-
ton involved, the vote cast by our or
ganization on the advisability of de-
handing working day Of eight hours
on May next has been a source of
worry and disappointment to your
grand lodge officers. One would think
an important question like this would
have brought forth referendum vote
that would be phenomenal for its thor
oughness and closeness to our total
membership. 1t didn't. Less than
one-quarter of our totality thought the
question of sufficient Importance tn
record a vote for or against it. This
was disheartening, and, after deem
thought and deliberation, forced your
executive officers to the conclusion that
where so much indifference was dis 4
played no solidarity of action could he !
counted upon should the demand ha |
made. To attempt a movement of |
such gigantic proportions without q |
majority of our organization behind the
effort would be criminal To make the
attempt without counting the cost and
the chances of success would only end |
in disaster both to the individuals in
volved and the organization. To at
tempt 1t without unanimity Of opin-
lon that the time and the organization
were ripe would be betraying those
that thought the time for action had
arrived. The indifference DISPLAYED
proves that the time is not ripe, neither
is our organization ready. When men
Know what they want and when it is
wanted, they emphasize their knowl-
edge by the unanimity with which thew
make it known. Weighing the matter
thus, your executive officers have come
to the conclusion that it would be sui
eide to make the demand on the date
Therefore, no general move
ment for the eight-hour day will be
made on May by the International
Association of Machinists."
Inc pressmen followed the example
or the machinists. Local members of
both organizations attribute the indif-
ference to the fact that the American
Federation of Labor practically an
nounced that any international at
tempting to gain the eight-hour day
must do so on the same chances for
success that would exist had the Fed
Grafton remained silent on the matter.
Milwaukee WIN Lead.