Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-15
CLOSER UNIONISN IS NEEDED
Labor in English-speaking Nations Should
Form Organization.
DELEGATES TO BRITISH CONGRESS REPORT
Success Of Unions There Attributed
to More Active Participation In
Politics and system of
Arbitration.

! KANSAS CITY, Dec. 1i.-speechmakins
consumed the morning session Of the third
day Of the annual convention Of the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor. The delegates
were in their seats early and listened with
great degree of interest to the talks by
William Thorne and william Inskip, the
delegates 10 the British labor congress and
to response thereto by Samuel Gompers.
Mr. Thorne spoke with enthusiasm Of the
conditions across the water, Offering some
suggestions for the betterment Of his fellow
Americans
The particular burden Of Mr.. Thorne's talk
was that American organized labor should
strive constantly for better organization and
to WELD an ever-growing power in politics.
In England. said he, one great element OF
organized labor's power was the fact that
political positions were held by so great a
percentage Of unionists. Delegate Inskip
urged net only a stronger organization, but
a stronger friendship between America and
British unionlsts. What was needed he said
was not only federation Of trades organiza-
tions, but federation OF English speaking
countries. The sentiment was heartily
cheered. Mr.. 1nskp went on to express his
belief In the principle Of arbitration Of all
difficulties and enumerated instances OF
tHe SetticucuI VI INC DIltlSu slTlheS ny
arbitration which had been alone possible
from the fact that arbitration In England
was constructed on SO thorough a basis.
Response of GOmpcrs.
President Gompers said in the course Of
his remarks that there was sometimes a mis-
apprehension as to the conditions OF the
workers Of our country. A greater percent
age of mechanical labor, outside the agricul-
IN Nrran oAI ,4rtn
any part Of the globe. Smalr conventions
were not necessarily an indication Of lack
Of strength. While he declared that union
lists were active in defending their princi-
pies In politics, citing the fact that seven
teen union men were members Of the Colo
rado state legislature Mr. Gompers, never
theless, urged increased activity along this
hne.
A resolution providing for a fund to push
the organization OF trades unions in the
inter-mountain states was adopted.
Upon the employment Of women Mr..
Gompers said: The American Federation
OF Labor has always stood for the organiza.
tion and recognition OF those women who
are compelled Of necessity to work. But
we demand now, and we must always de-
mand, equal pay for equal work"
These sentiments were greeted with q
, tumult of applause. Mr.. Gompers paid a
warm welcome to the British delegates and
declared that the closer the two English
speaking nations came together in fraternal
alliance, the speedier would approach the
era Of universal peace.
Against Anti-Scalping Law.
At the afternoon session a resolution pre-
sented by Adrian NJ. Jones Of Chicago, pro-
testing against the passage Of the anti
scalping bill recently passed by the national
house Of representatives. was adopted with
out discussion. ,.....
The resolution protests against the pas
being blow at the liberty Of individuals"
and classes 1t as legislation conceived in
the interest Of giant combine and trust.
1T Is the sense Of this convention" con-
tinued this resolution. that ticket pur-
chased from any transportation company
| should, in all equity and justice. belong to
the purchaser. and he should have the same
right to dispose Of 1t as Of any other law
fully acquired property"
| copy Of the resolution will be sent to
| each United States senator.
The income tax resolution. offered by g.
J. Kent OF Nebraska, was not adopted, but
F, this substitute was unanimously indorsed:
Resolved. That the American Federation
! of Labor Is of the opinisn that the de-
cisions OF the supreme court On the income
/ tax are not In accord with the constitution
or the spirit OF the American people and
that the federation demand OF congress
law making a tax on incomes a feature of
federal taxation.
! Convict labor came in for a share Of the
, conventions attention. The resolutions con-
demning convict labor. by c. W. Coe, were
| referred to the executive council with IN,
structions that 1t take such steps as may
| check its encroachmepts upon the interests
! Of the honest working people Of the land.
The convention emphaticaily reafnrmed the
boycott on the American Tobacco company,
declaring 1t to be monopoly, and a trust,
| and to be under the bane Of organized labor
Adrian M. Jones Of Chicago offered a rsso.
luton urging the fraternal labor organiza-
| tions to hold labor congress in Paris In
1900. 1t was sent to the committee on fra
ternal delegates.
A resolution inviting the Commercial club
and the Kansas City Bar association to at
tend the convention ON Saturday afternoon
whom Clarence Darrow Of Chicago will de-
liver an address on THE Court and the
WOrkingmen," was adopted.
At $3.50 o'clock the convention adjourned
| for the dav.