The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-12-17
LABOR OPPOSES
SUBSIDY LAWS
Objects to the Aiding of
ShipbuiIderS.
FEDERATION TAKES ACTION
DEEMS THE INDUSTRY ABLE TO
HELP ITSELF.
Delegates at Detroit Adopt a Resolu-
ton for an Investigation of
the Occur d'Alene
Affair.
DEEMS THE INDUSTRY ABLE TO
HELP ITSELF.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

DETROIT. Mich, Dec 1.-THE Ameri-
can Federation OF Labor this afternoon
registered an emphatic disapproval OF
Government subsidies 10 American ship
owners. and later declared almost unani-
mously against the principle and practice
OF subsidy legislation. Incidentally some
more or less distinguished lobbyists, some
Of them Federal Office holders, who had
been lobbying 10 secure the Endorsement
of the subsidy bill. suffered a decided de-
feat. The debate lasted three hours and
the speeches were the most vigorous OF
any heard in the convention during the
week 1t has been in session, bat only two
Of the several speakers supported the sub
sidy idea
The convention declined TO adopt "a res
olution concerning the Idaho miners and
military difficulty. which declared that
I'VE do hereby emphatically condemn and
denounce President Mckinley, Governor
Steunenberg and all the officials con-
cerned in the outrage" and which called
upon the working people ito sever their
connection with and refuse any support
to the Republican and Democratic par
ties" etc
A substitute for the latter resolution
was adopted, which, after reciting that
innocent men had been incarcerated with
out reference 10 their constitutional
rights. protests against and condemns
the alleged inhuman actions by the au-
thorities and directs the executive council
of the federation Ito make full investiga-
ton and place the responsibility where IL
properly belongs"
noon for the first time. The question OF a
declaration on the subject of ship subsi-
dies was raised by the bringing in Of two
resolutions, one from the boiler makers
and iron ship builders. favoring subsidy
legislation, the other opposing ship sub
sides. The resolutions committee offered
as a substitute for both a resolution de-
claring that since the natural resources OF
America offer abundantly everything nee
essary 10 the building Of ships much more
cheaply than in Europe
Resolved, That while be favor an increased
national merchant marine. we are opposed 10
any and all subsidies, believing the industry
able 10 care for itself
Delegate William Gillhouse OF the boiler
makers argued for subsidy legislation.
Delegate Warner OF the New York ma
chinists asserted that as far as truckmen
engaged in such building trades were con-
cerned there was plenty Of work. A rele-
gram was read from San Francisco stat
ing that the Union Iron Works could not
get men enough. Warner declared that
the only opposition to the eight-nour
movement In Congress came from those
in the ship building.
Vice President Duncan said he had not
met the lobbyists present. but he under
stood their aims. He offered the follow
resolution:
Resolved further. That are decidedly op-
posed to nll legislation OF this kind. and will
not give II consideration until the great ship
building firms OF the country. which would be
its greatest benehciaries. withdraw their oppo-
stion to the eight-hour workday legislation
and cease their discrimination against the EN-
ployment OF union workmen.
Max S. Hayes OF Cleveland believed that
whatever the convention might do III
that gang OF hungry vultures about
Washington want this they'll get it. the
same as the tariff barons got their spe-
cial protection years ago." II was true,
he said, that labor built the ships, built
everything. but how much does labor
own?" He argued for less ships and less
work and the getting down to a more So
cialistlc basis.
Hayes stormy remarks brought the
loudest applause of the convention.
Delegate Andrew Furuseth. of the Sen
men, Union, denied that If cost more to
operate American ships than others or
that the American seamen's treatment
was better. He charged that slowed
away In the recesses OF the subsidy bill
was a re-enactment Of the English press
gang idea.
President Gompers told the convention
OF some previous interviews with him by
promoters OF the bill, and said the latter
declined to give any assistance toward
passing an eight-hour law. Said Mr..
Gompers:
"This scheme for footing the treasury
and wicked in execution, and these lobby
lists have. not the interests OF organized
labor at heart"
After considerable further discussion.
Duncan's amendment was accepted by
the resolutions committee and the reso-