The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-10-29
IN lABOR'S
..s.....FIELD
1855 o q o q U

The nineteenth annual convention OF
the American Federation OF Labor Will
be held in Detroit in December, the hrst
session being convened on the 1ltn INST.
Following is the call issued by the ofncers
of the federation;
To All Affiliated Unions, Greeting-Fel-
low Workers: In accordance with Gus
tom, you are hereby notified that the
nineteenth annual convention OF the
American Federation of Labor VIII pe
held in the city of Detroit, Mich, begin
hing at 10 o'clock Monday morning, Dec.
H. 1899 and continuing until the business
Of the convention Is completed.
At the present time. when industry Is
recovering from the severe depression to
which it has been subjected for SO many
years; at this time, when the labor
forces of our land are making strenuous
OF wages which formerly prevailed, but
to improve the conditions of labor In a
commensurate degree with recent great
advances made In industrial invention,
Aggregations of capital and mastery over
natural forces, it behooves US, the pio-
neers of the mighty organization OF LABOR,
which is now assuming distinct prcpor-
lions to meet in solemn conclaVe and re-
solve upon such measures as may seem
best calculated to consolidate the trade
movement, and thus hasten the grand
work upon which the future civilization
of our people inevitably depends. -,
be on the following basis: From national
or internationl unions for less than 1000
members, one delegate; 1900 or more,
two delegates; 5000 or more, three dele
gates $4,000 or more, four delegates; 81, =
600 or more, five delegates, and so on;
and from the central bodies and state
declarations, and from local unions not
having q national union, and from fed
eral labor unions, one delegate.
Only bona flde wage workers, who are
not members of, or eligible to member
ship in, other trades unions are eligible
as delegates from federal unions.
Delegates must be selected at least two
weeks previous to the convention and
their names forwarded to the secretary
of the A. F. of l.. Immediately after
their election.
Organizations, to be entitled to repre-
sentation, must have obtained a certif-
icate of utilization (charter) at least one
month prior TO the conventions; and no
person Will be recognized as delegate
who is not a member in good standing of
the organization he is elected to repre-
sent.
Delegates are not entitled to a seat in
the convention unless the tax of their
organization has been paid in full to Oct.
81, 1899.
Resolutions of any character, or prop
Ositions for changes in the constitution,
intended for consideration by the con-
Vention. must be sent to the secretary
of the A. F. Of L. at least two weeks pre-
Ytous to the date Of the convention The
SECRETARY VIII nave the bdIIIC SOtiipAlCu
and printed in the programme of BUSH
ness and mailed to each delegate-elect
and to the executive officer Of each affili-
ated organization. No resolution Of con-
StitutiOnal change can be considered I'M
less printed in the programme without a
twO-thirds vote of the convention.
Credentials in duplicate are forwarded
TO all affiliated unions The original ere
dentials must be given to the delegate
elect and the duplicate forwarded to the
A. F. of L. office.
The committee on credentials will meet
at Detroit. Mich. three days previous to
the opening of the convention, and will
report Immediately upon the opening
thereof: hence secretaries will observe
the necessity of having the duplicate
credentials Of their respective organiza-
tons at headquarters at the earliest pos
sibe moment.
Delegates can obtain accommodations
as follows: Griswold house, American
plan, rates from 81 to $3.50 per day; Hotel
Metropole, European plan, 81 and up
wards per day.
Talk About the A. II. U.
There are certain evidences in St.
organization of the A. R. U. What
this may develop Is, of Cause, qui 9
problematical at present. Advices. from
American union may be revived. 1t Is
certain that at least three petitions, or
rather suggestions, have gone from St.
Paul railway unions to Mr.. Debs urging
him to again become the leader of such
a movement. In 1894 the organization of
the A. R. U. virtually expired 1t closed
the biggest railway strike konwn to his
tory. Since that time the organization
has remained quiescant. Lately dele
CATION of railway brotherhood men met
with Mr.. Debs, preceding his lecture tour
in the West, and promised to give him
all the assistance in their power. He
promised to consider the matter and give
them his answer on his return home.
The reason given for the. proposed re-
organization is the lack of harmony eX-
listing between the railway unions. In
Terre -Haute 1t is now believed that Debs
will undertake the work.
On the other hand, 1T is pointed out quite
forcibly that neither the Brotherhood
of Locomotive Engineers. nor the conduc-
tors association will ever join in such
a movement. Without their aid and CO.
operation such a strike as Is contem-
plated would result more disastrously to
the railway men than did the fiasCo of
1898. Labor leaders are of the opinion
that the reorganization of the A. r. U.
can result in no good to the different
organizations and are not inclined to
credit the stories of such contemplate
action. So far as the vicinity Of st.
Paul Is concerned 1t can be truthfully
said that the present relations of the
railway employees and the companies are
such that a rupture under existing cir
cumstances is impossible.