Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-12-15

hlIsl<lhM l-NohlI me Boot ana SnDt
of England. Workers, said that
during his thirty years as "a unionist he
had watched his union grow from twenty
members to 4O.cea. He left as his watch
word with the convention. Organize. or
ganize. organize" Referring to the ques-
ton of the employment OF women, which
came up Tuesday, he said that women
have a right to compete with men. but
they should not compete with a view 10
lowering the wages. They should have
equal pay for equal service. He favored
arbitration as against strikes.
President Gompers, in behalf of the con-
vention. thanked the English delegates for
their message from across the water and
welcomed them. There was an air of ex-
pectancy among the delegates. many sun
rosing that he would take up the issue
of socialism. brought forward by Delegate
Thorn. But he did not. That was the
only question discussed by the British del
egates that President Gompers did not
touch upon. He again brought forward
MS pet project for international organiza-
ton. when he said:
We feel that this constant inte-cbopga
OF courtesies between the British congress
and the American Federation will cement
US together, and there will grow rut of
this union of labor throughout the world
The parliament of man"
VI" Secret Recognition Sign.
TIL federation will not adopt a secret
recognition sign or a ritual. This sayors
too much of the secret society. thought tho
delegates, and the federation long since
abandoned secrecy in its proceedings. The
resolution introduced by John Kirby. of
ouray, Col, was almost unanimously re-
jected. N
The convention will ask the government
I" employ only unionized leather workers
on horse goods. A resolution to this effect
was introduced by Charles L. Conine.
A resolution was also adopted seeking to
unite the independent unions of leather
workers under the federation.
The convention showed little respect for
the supreme court The iplepatac n,r, -.
income tax regardless of the opinion of the
court, as to its constitutionaIitv. A resolu-
ton had been offered by S. ]. Kent urging
an amendment to the constitution provid.
ing for a tax an Incomes. James Duncan
however. thought that this would be an adj,
mission that the federation considered an
and the committee reported this SUBSTITUTE
wfIch was unanimously adopted:
Resolved. That the American Federation
OF Labor is OF the opinion that the decis-
ions 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
against the anti-scalperS' bill and also
against convict labor.
The American Tobacco Company and the
Continental Tobacco Company came i'm for
a good share of attention. The convention
denounced them as monopolies and trusts
and placed them under the ban of or
ganiZed labor.
The eight hour bill now pending in the
senate was declared to contain the rene
dial provisions necessary to carry into eff
feet a uniform eight-hour work day on all
government work. and congress was me-
morialized TO lose no further time in enact
ing the bill into law.
Michael Raphael was given thirty min
utes of the morning session to discuss the
differences existing between the New YorI,
igarmakerS and their employers. He said
the employment of children in cigar
factories is a burning question. terming il
a terrible wrong 10 the children and a bane
TO the trade.
The following resolutions by A. NJ. Jones
were introduced:
Whereas. The anti-scalpins bill has
recently been passed by the house of repre-
sentatives at Washington, d. c.. by a
small majority: and.
Whereas. The same vicious bill is be-
fore the United States senate and will
probably come up for action before the end
Of the present session of congress-: there
fore. he il
Resolved. The American Federation OF
against the passage of said bill Tor bills
of similar character) as being a blow at
the liberty of individuals. and classes it as
legislation conceived in the interest of Il
gigantic combine and trust; and be ii fur
Their
convention that a ticket purchased from
any transportation company should. in all
equity and justice. belong to the purchaser
and he should have the same right 10 dis
pose of it as of any other lawfully acquired
property: and be it further
American Federation Of Labor be directed
10 transmit TO each United States senator
. copy of these p%reambles and resolu-
tons