The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-12-17
NO REPLY BY SOCIALISTS
They Explain That the Rush of Bust
ness Forbids Discussion.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON AUTONOMY
All the Officers Of the Federation Are Re. elected
and New ORLEANS is CHOSEN For
Thsi- Next Place Of
Meeting.
(By the Associated Press.)


Scranton. Pa. Dec. 1.-THE American
Federation of Labor, in the laet min
utes of this afternoons session, put
itself on record on two questions that
have been agitating the delegates since
the convention convened ten days ago,
namely, trade autonomy and Socialism.
The greater part of the two in the
minds of most of the delegates was that
of autonomy.
In brief, the special Committee on
Autonomy recommended that where
there are only few craftsmen in a
large industrial concern the best inter-
ests of all concerned would be sub
served by the few joining the para
mount organization in such establish
ment and the amalgamation of subdi-
vided crafts into district and national
trade councils where all disputes should
be settled.
The recommendations of the commit
tee, to the surprise of many, were
unanimously adopted without a single
remark being made by any one. The re-
concentrations are viewed differently
by the delegates. The miners, who
have favored industrial autonomy and
who have put that principle into effect
in the mines, looked upon it as victory,
while the brewery workmen, pressmen
and longshoremen saw some concessions
in the report.
The failure of the Socialist delegates
to attack the substitute resolution was
the surprise of the day. The Socialists,
in declining to take up the discussion,
explained that the convention had so
much business to dispose of in the linn
tied time at its disposal they would not
seize the opportunity at this time to
show how Socialism could cure the ills
of humanity. The substitute was
adopted by large majority. 1t is as
follows:
''The aims, desires and aspirations of
trade unionists comprise all that is
necessary or possible to the we'll being
of the human family and in the pur-
suit of accomplishment of which we
cheerfully accept, and in fact desire all
the assistance which can be given our
movement by those reform forces which
stand for the betterment of mankind.
In this position we are in close relation
ship to the greater body of Socialists
and with them agree that not only
should the burdens of toll be made
lighter, but that each worker has an
undeniable right to enjoy the full bene-
fit of that which he or she produces.
We, like them. stand for greater liber-
ty, and are determined so to act that
the future shall be more congenial to
the whole human family, and especially
more bright and enjoyable to men and
women bread winners of North Ameri-
ca, whom we directly and indirectly
represent.
We unhesitatingly announce that
the trade union movement theory rep
resented is the most practical, safe and
legitimate channel through which the
working men and women of North AM
erica should not only continue to seek
redress for their wrongs, but by which
they can strengthen their economic po-
sition until it will control the political
field, and thereby place labor 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 it's guiding
star, and will so continue while there
is 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 legi-
innate economic or political question,
but, on the other hand. are as equally
pronounced against parties and politics,
religious decisions, or race prejudices,
and as success has followed these meri-
torious conclusions, we would be un
faithful to the duty we owe to man
kind to do other than strongly recon-
mend continuance of the methods, the
incubation of which means the great
est amount Of safety to our movement,
with the least degree of danger.
I'm conclusion, we assert that it is
the duty of all trade unions to publish in
their official journals to discuss in their
meetings, and the members to study in
their homes, all questions of public ma
ture having reference to industrial or
political liberty, and to give special
consideration to subjects directly af-
fecting them as a class, but we as Wig
orously submit that it is not within the
power of this organization to dictate to
members of our unions to which poll
tical party they shall belong or which
partys tickt they shall vote
The convention took up the greater
part Of the afternoon in the election of
officers. All the officers were reelected
as follows:
President, Samuel Gompers; first vice
president, James Duncan, of Boston;
second vice president, John Mitchell. of
Indiana; third vice president, James
O'Connell. of WASHINGTON, d. c.; fourth
vice president, Max Morris. of Colorado;
fifth vice president, Thomas I. Kidd, of
Chicago; sixth vice president, Dennis A.
Hayes, of Philadelphia; treasurer, John
b. Lennon, of Bloomington, Ills; secre-
tary, Fllnk Morrison, of Washington,
D. C.
New Orleans was selected as the next
place of meeting.