The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-10-04
ALMOST A SPLIT.
Labor Men Reused
Over a Resolution
By A. w. Barr.
IT SAvORED OF SOCIALISM.
Worcester Man Scores the
United States District
Attorney.
IT SAvORED OF SOCIALISM.
Especial pispateh to The spy.l

Especial Dispatch to The Spy.)
North Adams, OCT. 9.-Disruption
seemed inevitable among the delegates
to the convention of the state branch,
American Federation Of Labor, at this
afternoons session in Foresters' hall,
A resolution for the support Of men
from the ranks OF the state branch and
affiliated unions for representatives in
Legislative bodies was introduced by
Addison w. Barr Of Woroester.d delegate
from the Machinists' Union. Its clos
ing paragraph wss:
Resolved. that we advocate the col
lective ownership of the means Of pro-
duotion as a necessary measure to in
sure stability of employment and to Sc
cure to the workers a just renunera-
ton, and the best attainable condi-
tions."
Frank X. Foster Of Boston was first
to have the hoor In opposition. He said
II have no doubt of the sincerity Of
the Worcester delegate, neither do
question the loyalty of Mr.. Barr to the
state branch, but the adoption Of such
a resolution would stamp the Massa-
chusetts branch of the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor as an upholder of So
cf3list-labor party principles. Such ac-
ton on our part would become nat
ural issue.
1.-THE socialist-labor party does not
embrace a majority or even fair per-
oentage Of members Of organized labor.
A political party which cannot hold a
convention without fractional inter-
ference, and is not strong enough to
hold it's weak representation intact,
should have no place in the state
branch.
1T Is q most daHnabIe proposition
TO attempt to introduce politics In this
convention. Trades unions cannot ever
attain prominence through power, I'M
til members of labor organizations
realize the necessity Of education and
aim to secure political strength by rea-
son of intellect. Conservatism is one
Of the fundamental principles of sue
cessful body of labor union members.
The socialist labor party does not ap-
peal to the intelligent workingman-
The corruption of political leaders
means the expenditure of money. We
would not attempt to kick against the
political pool with our treasury, be-
cause Of believing 1t corruption, but the
money of labor organizations l be-
Meve should be expended in educating
it's members. The political future de-
ponds upon the intelligence Of labor
union principles, but the socialist-la-
Dor party principles no sane man can
gulp down in one attempt. With its
Utopian ideas, impossible conditions
and weird, fairyland predictions of
prosperity, the socialist-labor party is
a mere platform upon which it's exhort-
ers revel.
Addison w. Barr gave an explanation
in which he denied allegiance to the So
cialist-labor party. Mr.. Foster moved
that the resolution be amended by
dropping the part referring to col
lective ownership. Socialism had a
sturdy champion In Delegate George
Wrenn ,of Springfield, Cigarmarkers
Union, who upheld sooialistic doctrines
and referred to labor unions as prac-
tically being part OF the party Dele
gate Wrenn urged the adoption of the
resolutions. The scene in the conven-
ton hall was one of animation when j.
P. F. Frey moved that the entire res
olution be tabled.
Thirty votes were cast, and dissolu-
ton of sentiment ceased when Secretary
Driscoll announced the vote 20 in favor
of dropping the entire resolution and 10
against. John H. Murray of Marlboro
and Mr.. Barr were local supporters Of
the resolution.
The second day Of the convention was
begun uIlUcf cOnOlllOnS Wnlcn make IL
impossible for the session to be ad
5ocrned until tomorrow. j. F. O'Sulli-
van of Boston Newspaper Writer'S
union had tilt with Fred J. Kneeland
which resulted in O'Sullivan being sub
jected to the indignation Of the Boston
leader because the report of the legis-
1ative committee had been made public
The committee on legislative matters
read report recommending that Mr.
O'SullivaI. be reimbursed for all ex-
pense accrued in his work of the past
year and that a book be published colt
tanning description of efforts during
the past year.
Chairman Jonas Weener of the com
mittee on resolutions read AZ resolutions
which had been received by the COM
mittee and prepared for presentation
Each was voted upon separately
Among the favored resolutions were
An arpeai for the abolition Of contraci
work IN the mills of the state, believing
1t to be a serious injury to members o.
the textile craft Referred to executive
council to assist the textile workers
BE it resolved, that this convention
elect committee of five to meet com
mites or executive officers from D. A
80, Knights of Labor, New England