The times., 1899-10-17

The executive council of the American
Federation of Labor met yesterday at
noon at headquarters in Typographical
Temple.
There were present Samuel Gompers,
Of New York, President; James Duncan,
of Boston, Mass; James oConnell. cf
, Chicago, III; John Mitchell, of Indiana
/ polls, Ind. Max Morris, of Denver, Cole;
/ Thomas l. Kidd. of Chicago. ILL.,; Vice
Presidents; John B. Lennon, of Blooming
ten, H., Treasurer, and Frank Morrison,
/ Secretary, of Chicago, Ill. The sessions of
the council viii extend over several days,
two meetings being held daily.
The most important matter which de-
mands the consideration of the labor lead
ers is the trouble between the miners of
the Coeur d'Alene mining district in Idaho,
which was acted upon yesterday. There
are, however, other matters, some of which
local organized labor is directly interested
in, which viii also be considered by the
council at the present session. The most
important of these is the differences be-
tween the machinists and the printers, in
reference to the proper afiiliaticn OF the
machine tenders.
! II was decided by the International
typographical Union in annual convention
I that the machine tenders should properly
belong TO the typographical unions IN their
! Jurisdiction and this action was endorsed
( by the American Federation Of Labor. So
il was that TO all intents and purposes,
settled that machine tenders in all locali
ties should take out membership cards
in the typographical unions. having con-
troll in the jurisdiction in which they
worked This action was taken in what is
known in labor circles as the Birmingham
case, and il was believed that the matter
was at rest until some months ago, it was
revived at a meeting of the Central Labor
! Union, Of this city. on the motion of the
delegates from the local machinists' union.
/ The central body, by a decided ma
| jority declared that the matter had
been settled by the American Federation
/ Of Labor and refused TO consider it. Not
withstanding this, however, the union
passed a resolution criticising the action
of the International Typographical Union
! in the matter.
The trouble which has arisen over the
admission of delegates TO the Central
Labor Union from a recently organized
body of local carriage and wagon makers
against the ruling Of the national organ
ization Of carriage and wagon makers will
also be considered.
The secretary's report was referred 10
subcommittee of the council 10 audit
and report upon. 1t shows a marvellous
increase in the number of organizations
formed and affiliated, and the income of
the organizations more than doubled that
OF the year 1898.
After lengthy consideration of the
miners troubles in the Coeur dAlene dis
trict the following preamble and resolu
tions we're adopted:
Whereas the struggle of the miners Of Idaho
in the Occur Il Alene district Is that should
have the support and sympathy OF all organized
labor, and,
Whereas the arrest and Imprisonment OF said
miners foE alleged violation Of law has been
paTalleed for the brutality exhibited toward the
naen while confined IN the bull pen, where, be-
cause Of unnecessary deprivation some have died
and the health Of others impaired, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the executive council Of the
American Federation Ct Labor does hereby APP
propTlAte the OF $500 TO assist in their legal
cstence, and Tic5t seartily urges all local unions
Who have not aire4dy f1aue denaiion. asSd yho
are directly or indirectly affiliated with the
American Federation of Labor, 70 respond as
literally possible 10 the appeal of the miners
for funds for proper legal defence; and, be Il
further
Resolved, That the executive council of the
American Federation Of Labor ali honorable
means TO assist the miners In securing an early
adjudication Of the cases pending.
1t was decided that bill be drafted to be
presented TO Congress limiting the issu
ance OF injunctions by courts, so that they
shall not lie against working people, either
singly or in combination. quitting employ
ment, or against the moral persuasion of
workers considering the question Of quit
ting such employment.
The eight-hOur bill which passed the
House Of Representatives and failed to pass
in the Senate in the last hours of the Fifty
fifth Congress was considered, and it was
decided that the bill should be reintro-
duced In consequence Of the many errors
and unsatisfactory report of the hearings
before the Senate Committee on Education
and Labor on the eight-hour bill, a reso-
luton was adopted requesting a reprint of
the report Of the hearings after proper cor
rection.
Attention was called to the fact that the
order of the Secretary OF the Navy for the
payment of time and half for work over
the eight-hour day in cases OF emergency
has not been carried out in the Charles
town. Mass, navy yard, and action was
taken TO bring this to the notice OF the
Navy Department with view of its recti-
flcation.
The reports of the $50 organizers
throughout the country were considered.
as well as those Of the nine special organ
izers who are now travelling throughout
the South and the internountain country
of the West. II was resolved TO add to the
number with a view of the more thorough
organization OF the wage-workers of the
country. II was also decided to appoint or
ganizers for western Michigan, Minnesota.
and Wisconsin.
Several matters Of disputes and griev-
ances were considered and decided upon.
| The dispute of the Brocton, Mass. shoe
workers was made special order for 10
O'Clock this morning, the executive council
4 adiOsrrnsng upffI q o-rIr-L a m todav