New-York tribune., 1901-12-09
LABOR FEDERATION ACTION.
WHAT SCRANTON CONVENTION IS EX-
PEcTED TO ACCOMPLISH THIS WEEK

PECTED TO ACCOMPLISH lfa1S NII-AA-
Scranton. Penn. Dec notwithstanding that
this was Sunday. many Of the delegates TO the
convention of the American Federation Of LABOR
now In session IN this city did not cease their ac
tivty the day being given to the transaction OF
committee business. A majority of the committees
met and organized and not few of them TOOK
ND questions that will engage the attention OF the
convention this week The executive council winch
is composed OF the president, the six vice-presl-
dents the secretary and the treasurer Of the fed-
Grafton. went into session early, and did not ao-
journ until long after noon The session was Sc
cret and nothing was given out for puohcauon-
After dinner some members of the executive COM
rnittee and the fraternal delegates from Great
Britain and Canada had a sleigh ride IN the mining
region guests of the local entertainment COM
raittee. One of the busiest men among the dele
gates was ". D Mahon. of Detroit. PRESIDENT oL
the Amalgamated Association OF Street Railway
Employees He was IN frequent conference IN 'Ie
morning with the local labor leaders who are oi~
recting strike in this city 1t is prob
able that Mr.. Mahon and President Mitchell OF the
Mine Workers Will be delegated by the executive
council take charge of the strike Later IN the
day a delegation from the Allied Building Trades OF
Philadelphia arrived here and had interview with
Mt. Mahon the street railway situation in that
city where strike IS said to be among the prooa-
blities of the future The conferrees desired
a plan OF concf1ation. by which attempt Will be
made to bring together the Amalgamated Associa-
ton and rival organization, known as the Phil
adeIphia Street Railway Employees Association
The Metal Trades Federation embracing all
kinds of metal trades. held another meeting this
afternoon and discussed plans for perfecting the
organization. Nine of the fifteen eligible metal
trades unions in the United States were represent
ed the meeting The object OF the federation is
to have a organization that can hold conferences
with the National Metal Trades Association, which
is composed exclusively OF manufacturers.
The American Federation OF Labor convention
Will remain IN session for the rext six days. and
will have busy week Two hundred resolutions.
touching upon nearly every question in the labor
world, have been presented Tor action The COM
nittees VIII make them rapidly
possible but It is not probable that than half
of these will be reported from the several COM
mfttees.
What Is looked upon by many Of the delegates
as the most vital question that will before
the convention is that OF trade autonomy. The
brewery workmen and the mine workers delegates
probably will be the storm centre this question
Both these trades unions want Industrial au-
tonomy; that is. they advocate that all trades in
one Industrial establishment should form one or
ganization for the better advancement OF the con-
dition Of all They also announce that they VIII
miners in their argument say that if a handful OF
strike it would cause the mine to be closed and
thus throw OF work hundreds of men who may
have no grievances. If all trades in the mine were
united under one head. the mine workers say, much
friction could be avoided Those who ad-voeate -
to enter such combination, and that no gooa
kind The autonomy question is expected to be
introduced by either the dremen engineers.
which organizations are contesting the rights Oh
the brewery workmen and mine workers TO force
frernen and engineers employed In those places TO
join the brewers mine workers unions
The matter of trade Jurisdiction is also expected
to cause long discussion, particularly the part
of the woodworkers, who make the point that
piano makers woodworkers, and should come
into the atters union, instead OF having an lnde-
pendent organiZa ton. The mosaic and encdusuc
tile LAYERS haVe a dispute OF the character.
as have also a NUMBER of other trades which want
kindred trades to join them
Nearly dozen resolutions the matter OF the
exclusion of the Mongoan race from the untte9 IN go
a special committee This committee probably Will
report one resolution embodying the good points OF
ali OF them. 1t Will be adopted along with one
his annual message the continued exclusion of Chi
Much interest is being manifested as what the
report of the executive council will contain. ThS
GRAFTON for the year. 1t may contain some refer
ence the failure of the recent steel strike, al
though that labor struggle. 1t Is understood mas
not officially come before the council. There has
been no development in the Gompers Mitchell-Shaf-
fer ontroversy which out of the strike DIN
gent inquiry failed to confirm the rumor that the
matter will be threshed out on the floor OF the con
venton. The principals of the affair maintain an
absolute silence the close friends of each side
express confidence the outcome If the contro-
versy is thrust upon the delegates :,
the present officers OF the federation will be re
elected. There is movement on foot to increase
the number of vicepresidents from six to seven or
eight but 1t is not probable that this Will be ac-
complished.
Among the cities that have entered the campaign
for the place of meeting Atlanta, Bufalo,
Los Angeles. Milwaukee, New-Orleans and san
Francisco Portland Ore, wants the convention III
city