The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-24
ADJUSTING LABOR TROUBLES.
President Gompers Writes to the
Porto Rican WorIsingmen

The executive council of the American
Federation of Labor which has been in
session at Typographical Temple since
Monday last adjourned yesterday after
noon. Among the important matters con-
sidered was the petition of the Mosaic
and Eucaustic Tile Layers International
Union for n change of name So as % n
clude the ceramic workers. 1t was decid
ed that. inasmuch as the ceramic workers
are independently organized into local
affiliated with the A. F. of l.. that the
union should organize the ceramic work
ers. and then the application will be ap-
proved.
A protest was received from John Phil
lips, Secretary of the United Hatters of
North America. against the recognition
by the Philadelphia United Labor League,
of Edward Moore, who was charged with
representing an irregularly organized
local. II was decided that the league
be communicated with, and informed that
If 1t desired to retain affiliation to the A
F. of l., it will have to accord recogni-
tion to the regular local and discontinue
recognition of the local represented by
Mr. Moore
Treasurer John b. Lennon was desig-
mated as the representative of the execu-
tive council to attend the convention of
the postofiice clerks. to be held in Mil
waukee the coming September.
The following letter by President Com
pers, addressed to the workingmen of
Porto Rico. was approved and ordered to
be forwarded:
"At the convention of the American
Federation of Labor, held at Louisville,
KY, United States of America, December.
1900. resolutions were adopted having for
their purpose the attainment for the Por-
to Rican workman of all the rights grant
ed the citizens of the United States of
America; and 1t will be not only our duty.
but our pleasure to see that those rights
are secured.
Apart from this matter, We have con-
cluded that it is our duty as organized
workers of the United States to aid to
the fullest extent of our ability in the or
ganization of our fellow workers of Por-
to Rico and their full utilization with the
workers of the United States. Everyone
in our day realizes the necessity of or
ganization, that the workers may the bet
ter protect, as well as promote, their in
terests
we have requested all our national
and international unions in the United
States to have their constitutions, read
ing and other printed matter translated
into the Spanish language. printed, pub
lished and distributed among all the
Spanish speaking workingmen. We, our
selves, the American Federation of La
Dor, direct. have had documents trans
lated into the Spanish language and dis
tributed freely among you.
1T may be possible that the American
Federation OF Labor may authorize com
mission to go to Porto Rico at an early
date. OF this. however, | can give you
no positive assurance now. but IL that
decision shall be reached, you will be ad-
vised in due time.
The organized workers of the United
States extend to our brother workers of
Porto Rico their fraternal greetings, with
the hope that the day is not far distant
when the condition of you all may be so
thoroughly ameliorated and placed near
er upon a par with the condition Of the
workers of the United States that we may
accomplish the Improvement in the con-
dition of all the workers not only of our
own continent and country, but OF the en-
tire world"
1t was then decided that President Com
pers be authorized to visit Porto Rico and
to make an investigation and report upon
the conditions found there; that he be au-
-thorized to appoint an organizer to ac-
company him, and If necessary to remain
on the island.
In accordance with the decision of the
Louisville convention and the request of
the International Association of Machin-
lists, the latter organization was selected
to make the demand for May 20 for the
enforcement OF the nine-bour work day,
and the moral and financial assistance of
the American Federation of Labor was
guaranteed to the organization. should
controversy arise for the enforcement of
the demand.