The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-06
SEATED DELEGATE
FROM RIG HM0ND.
Color Line Dispute Settled by Some
thing Of a Compromise.
TIE LABOR CONVENTION LARGE.
Executive Bo,rd Allowed Seal to
Be- Sealed, aud Will Establish
separat. Negro couneiI
Here.
THE LABOR CONVENTION LARGE
80 A.sor,atcd rrnss !

SCRANTON, Pa, Dec. 1.-TWO hundred
ard eighty-fve delegates. representing
~ore than =. ,,:illio:f and half Work1nen.
responded to the roll-call at the opening
session of the twenty-first annual con.
Tention OF the American Federation Oh
Labor, which was called to order by
President Samuel Gompers, in ST. Thomas
College Hail, this morning. The conVen-
ton Is said to the largest congress OF
~orkingrncn ever held in this country.
Organization, settlement Of questions in
rolvings contested seats, and the reading
of the annual reports of the president.
secretary and treasurer took up the en-
tire time OF the convention
During tho courss of the day there was
ono surprise sprung on the delegates and
enc important decision was made. The
surprise came in the form Of an objec-
ton to the seating Of the United Nine
Workers delegates because OF an alleged
arrcarage in their per capita tax. The
objection was overrulcd by an almost
unanimous vote OF the delegates.
SEAL SEATED.
Ihc negro question came before the
convention In the shape of Il report from
The Committee on Credentials William
+. Seal vas elected By the Central Labor
Union, of Richmond. to represent it at
the convention. 1t appears that the
Richmond Central body refuses to admit
to membership negro workmcn belonging
to coorcd tobacco workers unions in
Richmond, Henry Fischer. president Of
the National! Tobacco Workers Union.
was Instructed by two local coored
unions of Richmond to oppose the seat
fag of Seal. on the ground that the or
ganiZation he represented drew the color
line. Tho committee heard both sides
and recommended that Seal be seated,
,l- L
tive Board of the American Federation of
Labor lie instructed to form a separate
negro central union in Richmond.
The Recommendations were accepted
by the convention without opposition.
PRESIDENTS REPORT
The reading Of the annual report Of
President Gonpers consumed three hours
Secretary Morrison's report and that Of
Treasurer John 3. Lennon We're also
read. They were referred to committees.
and the convention adjourned until to-
morrow.
Presidc.:: Gompers' report showed an
increase OF 313 local unions for the year
a gain of 1854. 40 members. From National
and International unions and the Fedora.
ton direc. there were issued 4056 char.
tiers for newl.'-fo'med lodges. and char
tiers surrendered number LEO. On Octo-
Der 81 last there were affiliated with the
Federation, National and international
unions. 81: central labor unions, 327; state
Federationst of Labor, %; local trade
unions. 359.
To create defense fund.- the repor
recommends changing the. Federation
constitution so as to admit of larger
assessment.
The report denounces the empioyme--,
Of young children. and contends fol
greater organization among women work
ecs
Mr.. Gompers says he has arranged ar
active campaign for the re-enactment O
the Chinese exclusive act.
Mr.. Gompers says the textile opera
tives' strike at Danville. Va. would have
been successful if proper provision hac
been made in advance for the necessi
ties of life of the contestants, but tht
textile organization was unable to rendel
assistance.
Mr.. Gompcrs urges upon Tie textile
workers a higher scale of dues. He de
scribes efforts to secure the passage O.
the child labor laws in Southern States
EFFORTS to this end were successful only
in TENNESSEE and have been renewed
with vigor in other States. In Alabama
be enacted into law.
President Gompers suggests that au
thority be given the Federation to parti'
cipate in the congress for the establish
,nent of international peace. to be held
at charleston. S. c., in connection With
the Exposition.