The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-13
Max Hayes, Leader of the Radical
Socialist Faction, Defeated I'm Two
Test Votes Yesterday.
ACTION ON MANY MATTERS
FEDERATION OPPOSED TO A Ma
TIONAL DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.
Delegate Warner Would Rather Have
Representatives of Labor.

LOUISVILLE, KY, Dec. 12.-To-day' s
sessions OF the American Federation of La
bor apparently disclosed the fact that there
will be little or no opposition to the re-elec-
ton of Samuel Gompers as president. Two
propositions, the votes on which may be
regarded as tests, resulted in decisive tri-
umphs for the ideas advocated by Mr..
Gompers. Max Hayes, of Cleveland, led the
opposition in both instances, but the fight
did not at any time become personal or
bitter. One of the resolutions was to limit
the term of the federation's president, in
future, to two years; the other provided
for the election of the officers of the body
by the initiative and referendum, instead of
a vote in mass convention ON the last day
of the annual session, prevails at pres
ent. Both were defeated. The contest for
next years convention appears to lie be-
tween Milwaukee and Scranton, Pa.
resolution was adopted recommending
to all affiliated unions whose trade or call
ing is pursued in Porto Rico that they
take prompt action for the purpose of dis
seminating information in Porto Rico nec-
essary to give Porto Ricans opportunity
to become allied with national or interna-
tional trade associations in America. 1t was
also recommended that the American ma
tional unions have their constitutions trans
lated into the Spanish language and that
the incoming executive council of the
American Federation OF Labor take action
promptly to carry out the plans and pur-
poses of the American labor movement in
Porto Rico. appropriating $1,000 to carry the
resolution into effect.
The convention concurred in resolutions
previously presented. declaring unalterable
opposition to the anti-scalping bill now be-
fore the committee on foreign and inter-
state commerce in both houses of Congress-
An animated discussion arose over a reso-
luton for labor portfolio in the Cabinet
TO be presided over by trade unionist
which the committee reported adversely
During the debate 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 govern
ments. Il would sooner see Mark Hanna"
he said. representing our interests than
some OF the labor representatives who hold
positions in some States" The adverse re-
port OF the committee was concurred in by
vote of 7S to AZ. thus killing the resolu-
tion.
The convention rejected a resolution In
structing the legislative council TO prepare
and endeavor TO secure the passage of a
bill in Congress which will restrict immi-
grafton
Resolutions advocating a reduction of
the tax on beer TO its former levy of 81 a
barrel were nonconcurred in. the committee
stating that II could not conceive that the
brewery Interests OF the country need or
desire any assistance from the Federation
OF Labor. The following resolutions were
concurred In: Favoring an amendment to
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 I'm
the district In which the navy yards are
situated; favoring free schoolbooks in all
the public schools of the country.
Delegate Max Hayes. OF Cleveland. with
drew his resolution to amend the Consti-
tuition TO permit the federation to fight
capital on the political field. explaining.
however, that this is not to be construed
as recession from his Uiayes's) socialistic
principles.