The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-16
DISCUSS SHIP SUBSIDY
KNIGHTS OF LABOR HAVE A RESO-
LUTON AGAINST 1T.
VIII Come Up mt This Morning. Ses-
siOn-RepOrt of the LegisIa-
Iative Committee.

indianapolis has had few conventions,
outside of fraternal orders, where secrecy
was as much the order of the day as in
the present national convention of the
knights of Labor. Yesterdays sessions
were conducted in the same manner as
characterized the proceedings of the pre-
vious days of the convention. Tie reports
of the committees on law, state of the or
der, legislation and resolutions we're pre-
scented in part, and it was understood last
right that several important features of the
reports of the committees, involving Sc
we're criticism CT existing economic institu-
tons and one or two important meas
ures now pending in the national House of
Representatives, received strong discus
sions. What is said to be part of the report
of the committee on legislation was given
cut, and it is appended. 1t deals with the
concentration of capital. demands publicity
i'm the affairs of the big corporations aG-
fecting large numbers of people. protests
against the capitalization of corporations
above the amount of money actually in
vested and demands legislation which shall
bring railroad corporations under govern.
ment supervision.
This morning, it is understood, the ship
subsidy question will be brought up for dis
cussion. 1t was asserted last night that
the discussion of the ship subsidy matter
would be breezy. The resolution which will
be introduced will come out strongly
against the ship subsidy. 1t is thought that
the election of officers will not take place
until Immediately before adjournment.
Members of the order were of opinion last
night that the business of the convention
could be finished by this evening.
Following is the report of the
on legislation, issued yesterday:
Whereas, The evolution now taking place
in the Industrial field through the rapid
concentration of capital has filed the Amer
lean people, and especially the working
classes, with alarm for the future welfare
of the country and mistrust of the event
ual outcome of the fungus growth of cor
porations with abnormal capitalization and
special privileges; and whereas, this Cen
eral Assembly shares this distrust and
alarm, We still have faith In the common
sense of the people and the masses, as well
as their undoubted ability to solve this
knotty problem, Just as we'll as ii has
solved many others which in the past have
threatened our national growth and mani
fest destiny. However, while we feel con-
fident the people will master the subject
eventually, we have no hesitancy in joining
with others in their alarm and calling a
halt on our municipal, State and national
legislation in granting further privileges,
which shall go to fatten already large
private fortunes: therefore, be it
Resolved. That this General Assembly de-
mands of the national Congress that it pass
such legislation as will provide for the
utmost publicity of the affairs of all cor
porations doing an interstate business,
= IL nc oAAEI III " SAo
passengers or intelligence, or whether 1t
be the manufacture or production of ar
ticles OF commerce., use or consumption.
Resolved, That we demand that the
national Congress shall pass such laws
as Will prevent the capitalization of any
corporations above the amount of money
actually invested, whether said invest
ment be in cash or plant.
Resolved. That we demand that the
national Congress shall pass such legisla-
ton as will tend to bring all common car
riers of intelligence. freight or passengers,
and other corporations directly under the
supervision of the government, whose of
hcials shall investigate and publish an
nually correct statements of the business
Of such common carriers or other corpora
tions, as will fully inform the public of
cash invested, cash and stock expendi-
lures, plant value, wages and salaries
paid. material expenditure. profits, etc.
Resolved. That we do not believe Con-
grcss has a right TO tax all the people for
the benefit of a few. and therefore assert
that whenever government aid is extended
to private corporations it means robbery
of the whole people.
Resolved, That we call on all municipal
and State governments to cease granting
franchises to private corporations, believ-
ing that the people can manage best for all
the people those public utilities which all
the people need.
Resolved, That the general executive
board be instructed to have repaired such
bill or bills as will cover the above reso-
lutionS and present the same to Congress"