The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-13
TALKED ALL YESTERDAY
FEDERATION OF LABOR DELE
GATES DID LITTLE REAL WORK.
Right of One Man to n Seat i'm the
Convention Debated ut
Address by Miss Anthony.

DETROIT, Dec. 12.-The question of the
seating of a single delegate occupied the
American Federation of Labor convention
the greater part Of to-day's session. The
Importance by the action to be taken In this
matter is in the fact that by it the fedora
ton expects 10 establish a precedent either
of strict upholding of its constitutional pro-
visions in relation to admission of delegates
or of leniency in seating in it's conventions
members of labor organizations not affil-
lated with the federation. The case in
point is that of a member of a nonaffiliated
labor union who seeks admission as dele
gate from the Central Labor Union OF
Omaha.
a telegram from Scranton, Pa, announc-
ing that the Nanticoke miners strike had
resulted in the miners victory after a five
months lockout caused hearty applause.
During the afternoon the delegates had a
half hours diversion listening to Miss
Susan b. Anthony, who made an appeal TO
the federation TO join in a petition to Con-
gress to refer to the State legislatures for
Endorsement a proposed sixteenth amend
ment providing for enfranchisement of
women.
The executive council of the Federation
reported its doings for the year. The re-
port stated that the brewery workers still
retained some of the stationary engineers
in their union. Notwithstanding the execu-
tive council has declared that the two
should be separated. A similar state of at
fairs existed between the brewers and
coopers. Controversies between local
unions of shoemakers and their national
z--o-:ua4too -.oro raNortad m no I'm nrOrpSS
of amicable adjustment. The council has
been unable TO adjust the differences be-
tween the factions of the painters associa-
ton. The ~bricklayers had approved a prop
osition for utilization with the Federation.
The council reported adversely on the re-
quest of the bartenders to form a separate
union instead of being affiliated with the
walters and restaurant employees. The re-
port said that the typographical and print
ing machinists' unions are still at variance,
the former having decreed that the latter
must be members of their organization,
which action the machinistS refused to In
dorse. The council expressed disapproval
of the sending out of boycott circulars py
any local or national union without having
first referred the matter to the Federation.
On recommendation of the resolutions
committee the executive council was en-
powered to take action in investigating the
Idaho labor military troubles.
A flood of resolutions were introduced.
covering nearly every subject of interest to
labor. Resolutions were adopted forthwith
commencing the position taken by the Chi
cago Piano and Organ Workers, and urging
financial aid by other unions, and calling
upon all Federation men to assist In a boy
colt against a firm of hat manufacturers
In Orange. n. j., who had refused 10 rec
osnize the H~atmakers' Union.
The committee on credentials reported
against the seating of Fred A. Kennedy,
who was present as the alternate delegate
from the Central Labor Union of Bing-
hamton, N. Y. Application for a Fedora
ton charter for the Farmers Union had
not been made a month previously as re-
quired by the constitution. The report was
concurred in.
The afternoon proved entirely too short
for the discussion engendered by the next
recommendation Of the credentials commit
tee. IL was to the effect that w. Ii. Bell.
delegate of the Omaha Central Labor
Union. be not seated. Mr.. Bell is president
of the painters union in Omaha which is
allied with the so-called Lafayette fac
tion," the branch of the craft which has no
afiliation with the federated division of
the Brotherhood of Painters and Deco
rators of America. known as the "Balti-
more faction" The committee reported
that the Omaha Central Labor Union had
violated the constitution of the Federation,
which prohibits seating any delegate from
any union which contains organizations
which are seceders from the American
Federation.
A motion to nonconcur in the committees
was ruled out of order by
Vice President Duncan. An appeal was
taken from the chairs decision and the
first roll call vote of the convention was
taken. The ruling was sustained by a vote
of 1909 to 1899. A long acrimonious debate
ensued on a motion to concur in the re-
port. and Mr.. Bell and also James II. Knee
land. of the federated division OF the paint
ers. were given leave to state their posi-
lions. Bell asserted that he represented
$1,000 affiliated labor men in his vicinity
who would resent taxation by the Fedora
ton If denied representation. He urged
that other central labor unions were repre-
sented on the floor under similar circum-
stances. Several eloquent speeches were
made by leading member OF the Fedration.
most of them urging that the time was ripe
for a strict upholding of the constitution
in admission of delegates. Some charged
that the executive council of the Fedora
ton had been too lenient i'm permitting
membership to the Omaha Central Union
while knowing that it included a body of
seceders. Adjournment was taken before a
vote was reached.