The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-14
Proposed Increase of Vice Presidents
Voted Down After an Acri-
moniOus Discussion.
MILITIA QUESTION TABLET
PER CAPITA TAX OF ALL TRADES
UNIONS TO BE RAISED.
President GOmpers Instructed to Pro-
Judge Francis f. Baker.

SCRANTON. Pa. Dec. 13.-The conven-
ton OF the American Federation of Labor
held three sessions to-day and disposed of
more business than on any previous day
of the meeting. The session tonight was
decided upon so as to enable the delegates
TO complete the work of the convention by
tomorrow night. One OF the principal fea-
lures of to-days proceedings was the de-
feat of the proposition to increase the num-
Der Of vice presidents from six to eight.
The Increase was recommended by the COM
mittee on law. but many delegates made
warm speeches against the increase.
Charges were made that the executive
council, of which the vice presidents are
members. was back of the proposition, but
this was vehemently denied.
A resolution instructing unions to hold
aloof from the militia OF the several States
was debated for long time. Strong Ian
guage against the use Of the militia in
times of strikes was used, but the whole
subject was tabled. The convention decided
to increase the per capita tax Of national
and international unions from one-third
TO one-haf cent per member per
month, and also agreed to raise the per
capita tax Of federal and local trade unions
form 10 10 cents month for each men,
per, the increase OF cents to go toward
the raising of a defense fund for those
unions During the day the committees
reported many resolutions on other mat
tiers, and favorable action was taken on
many of them.
1. o. Sherman, of Chicago started the
discussion on the vice presidents by at
lacking the executive council, saving the
council was regular Tammany, and that
the attempt to increase the membership
was done for the purpose of further in
trenching itself. Charles Dold also of
Chicago, said it was common gossip all
absolutely in control of the federation He
thought the council membership should be
decreased.
John p. Reese, of Iowa, representing the
miners, caused a stir by saying that the
executive council was made of men of
brains, who could lead the common herd
or delegates on the floor" j. H. Bowman,
who represents 150, 600 members of the Chi
cago Federation of Labor, vigorously pro-
tested against Reese's remarks as did
several other delegates. Speeches were
made by dozen delegates for and against
the increase, after which vote was taken
and the proposition defeated.
Ihese resolutions were adopted: Instruct
ing the executive council to induce the
butchers union of Kansas City to Join the
central labor body, and increasing the per
capita tax of the national and interna-
tional unions from one-third to one-half a
cent per member per month. to take effect
The proposition to increase the salary of
the president and the secretary was de-
feated.
The credentials of President Shaffer of
the Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel
and Tin Workers, were transferred to
Frank Dooley, Mr.. Shaffer having been
called to Indiana on business connected
with his association.
The convention decided to take no action
on resolution condemning anarchy and
resolution protesting against ship subsidy
legislation because the American FEEDER
alton of Labor is already on record as de-
cidedely against anarchy and ship subsi-
dies.
The federation also decided to drop the
resolution denouncing the English govern
ment for its war against the Beers be-
cause the American government is now en-
gagged in a movement of a similar charac-
ter and because such a resolution has no
place In a labor convention.
These resolutions were adopted: Instruct
ing the president to telegraph a protest of
the American Federation Of Labor to the
President of the United States against the
confirmation of the appointment of Francis
e. Baker as judge Of the Circuit Court of
Appeals in Indiana on the ground that his
father, Judge John Baker, had granted in
functions against union workmen; instruct
ing the legislative committee to investigate
the report that the immigrants killed in
the railroad wreck near Seneca, Mich, re-
Gently were brought to this country in vio-
lation Of the immigration laws.
The committee on boycotS made its report
late in the afternoon and it's recommended
tons regarding the boycotting of numer-
Gus concerns in this country were still I'M
der consideration when the convention at
$50 o'clock took a recess until 1880 D. m.
Consideration of the report of the COM
mittee on bOycottS consumed much of the
time of the evening session. There was
a struggle the matter of boycotting a
cash register company OF Ohio. Both sides
explained the trouble. and as result the
company was placed 1.-The unfair list
by a large viva voce vote.
The executive council made a supple
mental report. Several disputes between
trades unions were settled by the council.
In the matter Of the controversy between
the brewers and the engineers. firemen and
coopers the council says that ''it regards ii
a violation for any Of the union engineers,
hremen or coopers to be forced into the
brewery workers national union" This
opinion by the executive council favOrs the
trade autonomists The report was sent to
the committee on executive councils re-
port, which will pass upon the decisions
and views OF the council tomorrow. At
Ills D. m. the convention adjourned until
a. m. tomorrow