The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-14
Col. w. c. Il. Breckinridge Stirs Up a
Hornets Nest by His Views on the
Status of Labor Unions.
MAY DISRUPT THE FEDERATION
LEXINGTON TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION
INDORsES THE ORATOR.
Employees of Great Western Shops Mt
OeIwein, Ia, in RiOt-lgIe-
sias Is Still in Jail.

LEXINGTON, KY, Nov. 13.-There was
much excitement here last night in the
State Federation of Labor convention over
the address of welcome by Col. w. G. T..
Breckinridge who stated that he favored
q combination of labor and also combina-
ton of capital, but he did not believe a ma
tional federation of labor would be possible
because of the complcating interests of
various sections. To-day the irritation be-
came so great that the delegates attempted
IN exDel the members of the arrangements
committee who invited Breckenridge. They
would not proceed with business. a motion
to proceed was voted 'down-39 to l. There
were motions to adjourn TO Covington or
Louisville A committee of five was APP
pointed TO report whether the convention
should leave Lexington.
After another turbulent meeting the fed
Grafton this afternoon adopted resolutions
denouncing Colonel Breckenridge for senti-
ments expressed last night, expelling from
the federation and convention and denounc-
ing Vice President F. c. Leaning, of the
federation and president of the local typo
graphical union, who arranged and pre-
sided, and calling another meeting for
Thursday night, at which the views of the
dissatisfied delegates might be publicly ex-
pressed. During the day and preceding the
adoption of the resolutions the question of
adjourning to another city to conclude its
labors was considered, but defeated. j. j..
O'Brien, the Lexington delegate, walked
out, and a meeting of the Bluegrass Typo
graphical Union, the entertaining organiza-
ton. was called for tonight
Colonel Breckinridge's speech was con-
sidered courteous and in the vein of sup
Elemental welcome to that of the mayor.
Colonel Breckenridge said he was the friend
of labor organizations. that he heartily
favored the Organiza ton of labor. but that
he thought that its battles should be fought
with reason and not with force; that the
day of strikes was over. citing and CRITICS.
ing the big steel strike. He said further
that he did not believe il conducive to the
best interests of labor. but unjust and was
an abrogation of personal liberty, for
unions to say TO the employer, You must
employ only whom We choose; pay them
what we demand, and say 10 the working
man. Unless you join our union you can
not work"
This expression of opinion was not pleas
ing to a number OF the delegates and sew
eral wanted 10 make speeches when Colonel
Breckenridge had concluded.
The chairman, Vice President Leaning
announced that the programme was con-
cluded and declared the meeting adjourned
led the dissatisfied delegates To declare that
organized labor had been insulted and de-
priVed of an opportunity TO defend itself
AT the meeting of the Blue Grass Typo
graphical Union to-day resolutions were
adopted Withdrawing from the Kentucky
Federation of Labor. The action OF Dele
gate O'Brien in leaving the convention was
indorsed; all arrangements made by Presi-