The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-12-13
Gl)NPlRS HIS IHE GILL
ON RE-ELECT10N AS PRESIDENT
OF TIE FEDERATION OF
LABOR
CHOICE FOR NEXT MEETING
WIZ BE Between milwaukee, Wis,
and Scranton, Pa. - Proceed
fnSs at the Sessions
Yesterday.
CHOICE FOR NEXT MEETING

, LOUISVILLE, KY, Dec 12-Today's
session OF the American Federation of
Labor apparently disclosed the fact that
there viii be little or no opposition to the
reelection of Samuel Gompers as pres!-
dent. Two propositions, the votes on
which may be regarded as tests, resulted
in decisive triumphs for the ideas adVo-
Gated by Mr.. Gompers.
Max Hayes, of Cleveland led the oppo-
sition in both instances but the battle
did not at any time become personal or
bitter. One of the resolutions was to
limit tine terms Of the federatio presi-
dent in future to two years; the other
provides for the election of the officers
of the body by the initiative and refer
endum, instead of vote in mass conven-
ton on the last day of the annual SEES
sion, as prevails at present.
Both were defeated.
The choice for next years convention
promises to lie between Milwaukee and
Scranton, Pa.
At today's session the first matter of
Importance taken up was the third
clause OF the resolutions, with reference
to the labor unions of Porto Rico. Upon
this matter the convention adopted a
declaration recommending to all affiliated
unions, whose trade or calling is pursued
in Porto Rico, that they take prompt &C
ton for the purpose of disseminating in
formation in Porto p EiCo necessary to
give the Porto Ricans Opportunity to be-
come allied with national or Internal onal
trade associations in America.
1t was also recommended that the
American national unions have their con-
situations translated into the Spanish Ian
guage. and that the incoming executive
council OF the Federation OF Labor take
action promptly to carry out the plans
and purposes Of the American labor
movement in Porto Rico. An appropria-
ton Of $1,000 was made to carry this res
olutiOn into effect.
The convention concurred in resolution
previously presented, declaring unaltera-
be opposition to the anti-scalpihg bill
now before the committee on foreign and
interstate commerce in both houses OF
congress.
SECRETARY OF LABOR.
An animated discussion arose over a
resolution for a labor portfolio in the
cabinet, upon which the committee re-
ported adversely. The original resolu-
ton provided that the proposed cabinet
officer should be a bona fide trades union
list.
Vice President Dune opposed the reso-
lutions on the ground that the distinct
stipulation for bona fde trade union
ist' would would prove a. source of
weakness, and probably defeat the pur-
pose of the convention in framing this
measure. -. -= .4s.-
defending the resolutions made a point
Of the fact that a member of the French
cabinet, NJ. Milleraud, was alleged a
trades uniOnist. Delegate Warner, of
New York said his experience had not
led him to put much confidence in the
average labor representative in places of
trust and responsibility in some of the
state governments. 81 would sooner see
Mark Hanna" he said, representing our
interests than some of the labor repre-
sentatives who hold positions in some
states"
Treasurer James B. Lennon, of Bloom
ington, III, said he hoped to see the time
when a trades unionist would be rresi-
dent Of the United States, but he opposed
the adoption of the resolution as pres rib
ing too narrow boundaries for the ap-
pOntment of a cabinet officer.
The adverse report of the committee
was COnCurred in by a vote of Is to A.
thus killing the resolution -
, bill introduced in the house of rep
'resertatives by Congressman William
Astor Chanler, of New York, designed to
correct alleged abuses of seamen in the
merchant marine, was Endorsed by the
convention.
A resolution favoring the repeal of the
Illinois state convict parole law was
tabled.
Resolutions. advocating the reduction
of the tax on beer We're non-concurred
III n resolution was ADOPTED 1aVOrIng
an amendment Of the law to provide for
only one class, under which men shall
be employed in the United States navy
yards, at the standard rate of wages as
received by the various unions in the dis
trict in which navy yards are situated
and demanding free school books in all
the public schools of the country
William D. Mahon, of Detroit, the fed
eratiOns delegate to the Canadian Labor
congress at Montreal, then read his re-
port
At the afternoon session Delegate Max
. Hayes. of Cleveland, withdrew his reso-
luton to amend the constitution to per-
nit the federation to fight capital on the
political field, explaining, however, that
this is not to be construed as a recess
sion from his (HayesD socialist princi-
pies.
The committee on law reported unfa-
vorably on a resolution providing that
all chartered unions having no national
head have the same representa- ton in
1.-THE general ass emily as those having
Irrational leads. The action of the com
S-