The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-12-15
ACTS ON IDAHO STRIKE
Federation Of Labor Den0unces
the Authorities.
OPPOSED TO AUTONOMY
CONVENTION GOES ON RECORD
FOR IMPORTANT POLICY.

Louisville, KY, Dec. 14.-At today's
session of the American Federation of
Labor the special committee on the re-
port of the president endorsed Mr..
Gompers' denunciation of the authori-
ties of Idaho for alleged illegal action
during the Occur dAlene labor troubles
in Shoshone county, Idaho.
Governor Steunenberg was condemn
ed Tor alleged usurpatiOn during the
riots and Congressman John J. Lentz
OF Ohio was commended for the intro
duction of his resolution requiring the
president of the United States to with
draw the troops from Shoshone coun-
ty. The report also contained a COM
mendatiOn of chose congressman who
endeavored to bring out the facts in
the Occur d'Alene matter"
The report expressed agreement with
President GOmpers in his statement
that the contract labor law has proven
Intellectual and the executive council
was instructed to formulate and sub
nit to the proper committees of con-
greSs further legislation on the matter
necessary to meet the exigencies exist
ing.
The special committee on compulsory
arbitration reported as in full accord
with President GOmpers when he said
that the right to quit work was an in
Vlolable prerOgative OF every American
workman and a restriction of that right
an outrage on the liberties of the
American people. The report recon-
mended that the convention take such
action as viii secure legislation for vol
untary arbitration as opposed to COM
pulSory arbitration.
The reports of both special commit
tees were unanimously adopted.
Opposed to Autonomy.
The federation placed itself on rec
ord as opposing to trade autonomy and
in favor of Capitalization in trade
unionism, establishing a precedent for
the establishment of future organiza-
lions of the country.
Two propositions for autonomy were
voted down on the ground, as stated
by their opponents, that they would
tend to disintegrate the large central
labor unions and deS troy their power
ana prestige. The convention showed
a disposition to compromise on the
question, recommending that the diff
ferent organizations come to some
agreement for the interchange of cards
and disclaiming the competency of the
federation to legislate for any affiliated
union.
The committees on grievances made
recommendation the effect of which is
against direct trade autonomy and in
favor Of the establishment in the fed
GRAFTON Of friendly courts or arbitration
for the settlement of inter-labor dis
putes. The recommendations were re-
terred to the committee on laws.
Action on Printers Case.
With e e ence to the dispute between
the International Association Of Ma
chlnlsts and the International Typo
graphical union, as to trade autonomy
The resolutions committee recommended
that the Federation of Labor refuse to
Interfere This te- -.
battle between President O'ConneH of
the MachlniSt, who opposed the COM
Inlttee's recommendation, and Presi-
dent Lynch of the TypOgTap hical union
who supported it. -.--..
Mr. O'Conneu protested against any
proposition TO force the machinists to
join the l. 7. L, maintaining that a
man who takes care Of q Linotype ma
chine mechanically is properly a mem
Der of the machlnIStS' craft. Mr.. Lynch
argued in favor of only one union of
workers in printing Offices, in order
that the rights OF employees might re
more adVantag2OUSly maintained
Delegate Rosenberg Of san Francisco
declared that the opposition to trade
autonomy was in line with the general
imDerialistic idea now dominant the
world over.
President John Mitchell. of the
United Mine Workers, spoke in favor
of the committees action.
Vice President Duncan offered as a
substitute an amendment pledging the
good services OF the Federation for
further mediation between the Organi-
cations concerned, and requiring the
Incoming executive council to facili-
tate d settlement of the difficulty with
in the ensuing year; also cTiUcising in
some degree the TypoSra hical union
for nOn-sUbmissiOn OF the dispute to
arbitra ton.
argument in favor of the substitute,
and was greeted with tumultuOus ap-
plaUSe. He declared against the use OF
force by the Federation in the adjust
ment OF differences between any affiti-
ated unions.
vOce vote, only one voice being heard
in the negative.