The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-12-14
REELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE
LABOR FEDERATION.
RESOLUTION Committee WORK
Not Within the Power of Labor Organ
Shall Vote, Says the Com
Shall Vote Say the Com
i, ..- mittee.
(By Associated Press.)

(By Associated PreSS.)
Scranton, Pa, Dec. 14.-Samuel Com
pers was reelected president of the
Federation of Labor and James Duncan
of Boston was reelected first vice-p -presi-
dent.
The American Federation of Labor be-
gan work promptly this morning. A
vast amount of business may be disposed
of today as the convention hopes to ad-
jOurn sine die tonight.
The special committee on autonomy is
not yet able to report. Three rough
drafts of its report have been made and
the members of the committee hope to
agree later in the day.
The report, it is believed, will favor
the trade autonomists, the only differ
ence of opinion among the members be-
ing on the wording of the report.
Stand for Greater Liberty.
Following is the report of the sub-com
mittee on resolutions:
The aims and desires and aspirations
of trades unionism comprise all that is
necessary or possible to the we'll being
Of the human family and in the pursuit
or accomplishment of which we cheer
fully accept, and in fact desire, all the
assistance which can be given our move
ment by these reform forces which stand
for the betterment of mankind.
In this position we are in close rela-
tionship to the greater body of socialists
and with them agree that not only
should be the burdens of toll I've made
lighter, but that each worker has an
undeniable right to enjoy the full benefit
of that which he or she produces.
We, like them, stand for greater lib
erty and are determined SO to act that
the future shall be more congenial to the
,1,o1o 1,,V~o 20 NJ toll
more upright and enjoyable to bread
earners of North America, whom we di-
rectly and indirectly represent.
1t is true, nevertheless, that in fur
therance of our claim, namely: That our
principles comprise the fullest and high
est scope of human activity and from
time to time, will be advanced in ac-
cordance with the demand of public
needs and the people we represent, the
working class, hold different views on
the best method of furthering the de-
sired end, even although there is little
differences among them as to the desir-
ability of the position we hope to attain.
Enter Political Field.
We unhestitatingly announce that
the trades union movement theory rep
resented is the most practicable, safe and
legitimate channel through which the
working men and women of North
America should not only continue to
seek redress for their wrongs, but by
which they can strengthen their
economic position until it will control
the political field and thereby place la
Dor In full possession of it's inherent
rights.
We declare that since the inception of
our movement inquiry into the best
form of government has been its guild
ing star and will SO continue while there
is a high moral desire to crafty, or an
injustice to correct.
Our meetings, local and national, are
now and always have been free to the
discussion Of any legitimate economic or
political question and on the other
hand. are as equally pronounced against
parties and politics. religious discus
sions or race predjudice, and as such has
followed those meritorious conclusions
we would be unfaithful to the duty we
owe to mankind to do other than
strongly recommend a continuance OF
the methods, the inculcation # which
means the greatest amount of safety TO
our movement with the least degree of
danger.
No Power to Dictate.
In conclusion we assert it is t'le uuty
of all trade unions to publish in their
official journals, to discu 5 in their
meetings and the members to study In
their homes, all questions of public ma
ture, having reference to its Industrial
or political liberty and to give such con-
sideration to subjects directly affecting
them as a class; but we as previously
submit that it is not within the power
of this organization to dictate to men,
bers Of our unions to which political
party they shall belong, or which party's
ticket they shall vote.