The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-12
QUESTION OF AUTONOMY
1T is NOW WORRYING FEDERATION
OF LABOR DELEGATES.
Many Resolutions Considered, but
Only Eight Acted On-SchOoI
Teachers May BE Unionized.

SCRANTON, Pa, Dec. I.-Business close
" relating to the organization of labor in
those fields where there is no union and
strengthening of the hands of those who
have embraced unionism took up most OF
the time OF to-days sessions of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor which is now in
convention in this city. Thirty odd resolu-
tions were considered, on eight of which
final action was taken. All the other propo-
sitions were either sent back to commit
tees or referred to the incoming executive
council which has power to dispose Of
questions referred to it.
The great question Of trade autonomy is
now in the hands of the special commit
tee appointed to consider the subject. The
personnel of the committee was named at
the morning session and all resolutions and
other documents relating to trade or in
dustrial autonomy were referred to it. The
committee has already started work and
will make a report probably on Friday or
Saturday. The members Of this little body,
on which rests the responsibility of solv-
ing the intricate subject, are: President
Gompers, First Vice President James Dun
can, Second Vice President John Mitchell,
John Mulholland, president of the lnterna-
tional Association of Metal Mechanics, and
c. n. Hughes, of the San Antonio, Tex,
Trades Council.
Among the resolutions adopted were
these: Requesting terra Gotta pressers and
fnishers' unions to affiliate with the In
ternational Brick, Tile and Terra Gotta
Workers Alliance, or have their charters
revoked by the Federation; recommending
that the Federation make an EFFORT during
the coming year to organize the school
teachers of this country; authorizing the
Federation TO send representatives 10 ma
tional and international organizations,
particularly those of railway employees;
indorsing the label OF the international
Wood Carvers' Association, and instructing
the executive council to use every effort
TO secure the passage of national law
protecting and legaliZing union labels.
There was strong opposition 10 the send
ing OF some resolutions to the executive
council for disposal. This was particularly
true of the one introduced by the Amalga-
mated Meat Cutters and Butchers Work
men of North America, and 10 compel local
unions of the Benchmen 3 Association OF
Retail Butchers of New York TO affiliate
with them. The amalgamated butchers
claim that the rival organization does not
recognize its union card. Some OF the
delegates interested wanted to settle the
differences existing between the unions
outside of the executive council, but the
majority. of the delegates voted otherwise.
The report of the executive council sub
mltteu to-udy - very NOlumlnOus ana Is
comprehensive review OF all matters that
have come before the council. The Shat
fer GompersM Mitchell controversy growing
out of the recent steel strike Is mentioned.
The report eulogiZes the late President Nc
Kinley and recommends that the federation
make direct appropriation 10 the Mckinley
memorial fund. a memorial TO the late
George Chance. Of Philadelphia. a well
known labor leader is also recommended.
There were GIG charters granted 10 unions
during the year. and the council advoca ties
the passage by Congress OF the anti-in-
junction and Chinese exclusion laws. The