Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-17
LABOR'S ADVOCATES
Executive Council of American Fed
Grafton in Session.
AID FOR THE IDAHO STRIKING MINERS
The Eight-Hour Bill to Be Reintro-
duced in Congress,
PROCEEDINGS OF TO-DAY

The executive council Of the American
Federation Of Labor began a session at the
headquarters Of the organization in this
city yesterday. and was continued today.
The following members were in attend
arce. Samuel Gompers of New York. presi
dent. James Duncan of Boston, Mass; Jas
O'CouueI Of Chicago. Ill: John Mitchell of
Indianapolis. Ind: Max Morris of Denver,
Col: Thos. l. Kidd of Chicago, Ill, vice
presidents; John b. Lennon of Blooming
ton. H.. treasurer, and Frank Morrison of
Chicago, Ill. secretary.
The entire morning session of today was
occupied with the consideration of the re-
port of a committee appointed by President
Gompers to Investigate the troubles be
tween the Boot and Shoe Makers Union Of
BroCkt0n Mass, and the officers of the
Foot and Shoe Makers National Union. At
the time of recess, i o'clock, no vote had
been taken.
Report of Secretary.
The secretary's report. submitted yester-
day was referred TO a subcommittee of the
council for audit and report. 1t shows
marvellous increase in the number of or
CARNATIONS formed and affiliated. and that
the income of the OF ganization more than
doubled that of the year 1898.
The question of the miners in the Coeur
d AIene district of IdanO was taken up. and
resolutions We're adopted setting forth
that the struggle of the miners of Idaho
in the Occur d Alene district is one that
should have the support and sympathy of
all organized labor and
The arrest and imprisonment of said
miners for alleged violation of law has
been unparalleled for the brutality exhib-
tied toward the men while confined in the
bull pen, where. because of unnecessary
deprivation. some have died and the health
Of others impaired. Therefore,
The executive council OF the a. r. of l..
does hereby appropriate the sum of 500 to
assist in their legal defense. and most
heartily urges all local unions who have not
already made donations, and who are di-
rectIy or Indirectly affiliated with the A. F.
of l.. To- respond as literally possible to
the appeal of the miners for funds for
proper legal defense.
That the executive council of the A F.
Of L. use all honorable means 10 assist the
mlrers in securing an early adjudication of
the cases pending
1t was decided that a bill be drafted, to
be presented to Congress. limiting the is
suance Of injunctions by courts. so that
they shall not lie against working people.
either Slngly or in combination. quitting
employment. or against the moral persua
sion Of workers considering the question of
quitting such employment.
Eight-HOur Bill.
The eight-hour bill. which passed the
House of Representatives and failed of pas
sage in the Senate IN the last hours of the
Fifty-hfth 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 be-
fore the Senate committee on education and
labor on the eight-hour bill, a resolution
was adopted requesting a reprint of the re-
port OF the hearings, after proper correc-
ton
Attention was called to the fact that the
order Of the Secretary of the Navy for the
payment Of time and a half for work over
the cight-h0ur day in cases of emergency
has not been carried out in the Charles
town. Mass, navy yard. and action was
taken 10 bring this TO the notice of the
Navy Department, with view to its rectI-
ficat!on.
The reports Of the $50 organizers through
out the country were considered as well as
those Of the nine special organizers who
are now travelling throughout the south
and the iDtermOuntain country of the
west II was resolved to add to the num-
Der. with a view Of the more thorough or
ganization Of the wage workers of the
country 1t was also decided to appoint or
ganizers for western Michigan, Minnesota
and Wisconsin.
Several matters of disputes and Eriev-
anCes were considered and decided upon.
The dispute Of the Brockton. Mass, shoe
workers was made a special order for 10
clock this morning. the executive council
Ad1OUrning until 9 clock a m