The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-12-13
COLOR QUESTION UP
IT AGITATES MEETING OF
 LABOR FEDERATION,
Speech of Charles c. Eckard of Anniston Causes Convention to Refuse to Compel Admis-
 sion of Negroes.

Scranton, Pa., Dec. 12.-The negro problem in the South. so far as 1t relates to unionism was unexpectedly injected into the proceedings of the federation Of labor today and the long standing con fiict between the socialists and trade unionists promised to monopolize the att tention of the delegates If the socialists replied to the trade unionists.
 The question of organizing common laborers into a national union and that of throwing out all organizations allied with the city. State, national or inter- national unions unless they affiliate with the American Federation of Laber were also vigorously debated.
 The socialist incident came up at the morning session during the discussion of a committee report endorsing most of the recommends tions contained in President Gomperss annual report. D. A. Hays of Philadelphia, president of the National Glass Bottle Blowers and Max Hays of the Cleveland Central Labor Union. the well known socialist made speeches strongly urging the enforcement of laws prohibiting child labor The latter read a long list of decisions rendered by federal and State courts against organiz- ed labor.
 A motion to have the list printed in. the minutes drew from President Gom- pers passionate speech. He said 1t was unfair to incorporate the list in the minutes in that way, and suggested that list of trade union victories should be printed along with it. He concluded by denouncing the attempt to show that trade unionism is a failure" and characterized 1t as an outrage A wave of applause swept over the convention as MT. Gompers took his seat.
 The motion was defeated and the recommendations of the president were adopted except that one referring to a general defense funds. The commit tees suggestion that the fund be raised by national and labor unions instead of by the American Federation of Labor was adopted.
 Committee on Law reported a resolution compelling all local unions affiliated with the Federation to join the central labor bodies in their respective localities.
 William H snry Clay, one of the two colored delegates from Virginia. made the point that the Federation last week, in deciding contested seat where the color line was brought into question, had authorized the creation of a separate central union fin Richmond for colored workmen. The resolution was debated for more than an hour by many delegates.
 Charles C. Eckard of the Anniston, Ala. Trades Council made the principal speech in opposition to the resolution. He said the proposition would compel the white unions to take in negroes and if adopted 90 per cent. of the unions South of Mason's and Dixon's line would secede from the Federation. He declared the people of the North did not understand the negro problems. His remarks had some influence on the delegates and the resolution of recommendation of the Com mtttee on Law was defeated,
 Two resolutions were reported on the question of organizing the common labor CTS into large unions and both were rec commended to be sent to the Executive Council with instructions for that body to take up that matter and report at the next convention. It was decided that hereafter the annual convention shall be held on the second Thursday of Novem- Der.
 J. H. Bowman of Chicago presented a resolution instructing the President to Pr otest against the confirmation by the United States of the appointment of Frank E. Baker, as Cnited States Cir cult Court Judge in Indiana. The reason for the protest is that Baker is a son of Judge John H. Baker of Indianapolis who had granted lnjunctions against some union workmen.
 Among the resolutions that were adopt ed were these: That Legislatures be pe- titioned to enact a law to compel the constructors of machinery to cover all dangerous parts in such way as to protect employees working around ma chinery; that no boycotts shall be de- clared until central labor unions have in- vaatigated the dispute and endeavored to effect an amicabe settlement; that the government officials enforce the eight hour law on all government work in pri- vate ship yards.