The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-12-13
GOMPERS WINS EASILY.
viii be Reelected by Labor
Federation.
TEST VOTES ARE TAKEN
OTHER BUSINESS TRANSACTED
By CONVENTION.

Louisville Ky, Dec. 12.-Today's ses-
sions of the American Federation of
Labor apparently disclosed the fact
that there will be little or no opposi-
ton TO the reelection Of Samuel Com
pers as president. Two propositions,
two votes which may be regarded as
tests. resulted in decisive Griumphs for
the ideas advocated by Mr. GOmpers.
Max Hayes of Cleveland led the OPP
position in both instances, but the bat
tie did not at any time become per
sOnal 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 Of
ficers of the body by the initiative and
referendum, instead Of a vote in mass
convention on the last day Of the an
nual Sc ssion, as prevails at present
Both were defeated. The contest for
next years convention appears to lie
between Milwaukee and Scranton, Pa.
Extend to Porto Rico.
The federation today adopted a de-
claratiOn recommending to all affiliated
unions, whose trade or calling is pur-
sued in Porto Rico, that they take
prompt action for the purpose Of dis
seminating information in Pc to Rico
necessary to give the Porto Ricans OPP
pOrtunity TO become allied with the ma
tional or international trade associa-
tions in America
1t. was also recommended that the
American national unions have their
constitutions translated into the Span
ish language, and that the incoming
executive council of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor take action promptly
to carry out the plans and purposes of
the American labor movement in Porto
Rico, appropriating $1,000 to carry this
resolution into effect.
The convention COncurred in resOlu-
tons previously presented declaring un-
alterable opposition to the "anti-scalp-
ing bill now before the committee on
foreign and interstate commerce in
both houses of congress.
An animated discussion arose over a
! resolution for a labor portfolio in the
cabinet, upon which the committee re-
ported adversely. The original reSOlu-
this convention that a governmental
department of labor should be formed,
the head of which should have a place
in the cabinet of the president of the
United States" and THAT said cabinet
officer should be a bona fide trade
unionist."
Vice President Duncan opposed the
resolution on the ground that the dis
tinct stipulation for a bona fide trade
Unionist' would prove source OF
weakness, and probably defeat the pur-
pose of the convention in framing this
measure.
Delegate Turnsette of san Francisco
opposed the recommendation that a
cabinet officer be taken from any par
ticular class OF society, on the ground
that the American form of government
is not the parliamentary form, and that
the cabinet members are the personal
advisers of the president.
Scores Certain Labor Men.
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 gov
! ernments.
Il would sooner see Mark Hanna"
! he said, representing our interests
/ than some of the labor representatives
/ who hold positions in some states"
/ Treasurer James .. Lennon of Bloom
| ington, Ills, said he hoped to see the
/ time when a trade uniOnist would be
| president Of the United States, but he
! opposed the adoption Of the resolution
as prescribing too narrow boundaries
/ for the appointment of a cabinet officer.
/ The adverse report Of the committee
[ was concurred in by a vote of Is to A,
/ thus killing the resolution
Oppose Immigration.
/ The convention took adverse action
on a resolution instructing the execu-
/ tive council TO endeavOr to secure the
/ passage of q, bill in congress which will
! restrict immigration.
A bill introduced in the house Of rep
/ resentatives by Representative William
/ Astor Chandler of New York, designed
/ to correct abuses suffered by seamen
1 in the merchant marine, was endorsed
/ by the convention.
/ Resolutions advocating reduction of
/ the tax on beer to its former levy of 81
! per barrel were cOncurred in, the COM
! mittee stating that it could not con-
) ceive that the brewery interests OF the
! country needed or desired any assist
| ance from the Federation Of Labor
The following resolutions were con-
| CURED N:
( FaVOring 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 stand
ard rate of wages as received by the
/ navy yards arr situated; favOring free
/ school books in all the public schools
| of the country.
William 3. Mahon Of Detroit, who
was the federatiOns delegate to the
1 Canadian Labor congress at Montreal,
! read his report Of the proceedings OF
! the Canadian body, after which the
! convention recessed until afternoon.
At the afternoon session Delegate
j Hays of Cleveland withdrew his reso-
luton to amend the constitution % per
nit the federation TO fight capleal -
the political field, explaining, however
that this is not to be construed as re-
eession from his (Hay's) socialistiC
principles.