New-York tribune., 1901-09-03
TRADES UNIONS MEET.
taft VALE DECISION TO BE TAKEN Up
BY CONGRESS.
POSSIBLE APPEAL TO HOUSE OF LORDS
SOUTH AFRICAN WARMED
DINGS-PLAYS.
Copyright; 1901: By TIE New-York Tribune)
IBY CARLE TO THE TRrBrNFI

Copyright; 1901: BY TIE New-York Tribune)
IBY CABIE TO THE TnrBrvEI
London Sept. 3. l a. m.-The Trades Union
Congress, which met al Swansea. Wales yester-
day. quickly settled down to work The stand
ing orders had been amended so 20 provide
for the appointment of special committees by
the various trades for dealing with proposals
affecting industries. and also to dispense with
the former practice of electing a chairman
nominated by the local trade councils. The
chairman Of the parliamentary committee pre-
sided ex officio over the congress. and was in
touch with the important issues of the session.
Alderman BOwerman had already made repu-
tation of the best organizers of the
printing trade unions and secretary OF the
London Society OF Compositors.
About four hundred delegates were present.
including women than usual, and several
representatives of American trades unionism-
This session is regarded the most tmpor-
tant labor conference in recent years. 1t has
become necessary to adopt defensive measures
against the Taft Vale decision Of the House Of
Lords. which transformed trades unions from
voluntary associa tions without collective la
bility into responsible organizations. with full
liability for acts Of their officials. That de-
cision has empowered the employers whose
premises are picketed with union men 20 obtain
injunctions against trades unions and to sue
them for damages.
The present congress will discuss the bearings
of the recent decisions respecting picketing and
the liability Of trades unions. Probably il will
instruct its parliamentary committee 10 obtain
from the House OF Lords closer definition of
picketing than the decision which the Taft Vale
ruling sets forth. This will be hardly more than
a half measure. for the purpose OF information.
The ablest trades unionists contend that more
: radical measures required for the
hat fha iaho
organizations 10 the penalties Of financial la
hility for acts OF their officials without arming
them with the privileges of corporations and OF
trusts. and that a fresh charter of liberty and
independence is indispensable for the interests
of workingmen.
II the Tan Vale decision be good law, trades
unions may be source OF weakness instead Of
strength in labor conflicts for their financial
reserves will be at the mercy of employers
One Of the most sensational incidents in
nection with the South African took place
in London last night, when DR.. Krause was ar
rested on the charge Of high treason Dr. Krause
will be remembered as the man who handed
the keys of johannesburg 10 Lord Roberts The
real nature OF the proceedings has not been
allowed 10 leak out, but some significance is
attached to the fact that the arrest should have
occurred a few days after Mr.. Merriman
OF the Boer delegates to England, put
his parole in Cape Colony, and it is believed
( that these two incidents may not be
nected with one another.
DR.. Krause will be brought up at the Bow
Street Police Court to-day when II is expected
that only formal evidence sufficient 10 justify
his remand will be given.
I Lord Milner has not been idle since his re-
I turn 10 South Africa One Of his first public
I acts resuming his duties has been to offer
Z n tO he IA
made behalf Of Outlander refugees. The
High Commissioner declares that there is no OBJ
ject for which he VIII work more strenuously
than that of bringing the people back to the
! Transvaal as quickly as possible
Military frankly confess that they do not
understand what is happening in South Africa
+ They are confused and bewildered when they
stick pins in their maps and observe the extent
and magnitude of the operations alleged by the
raiders.
An experienced official told yesterday that
he suspected that Mr. KRUGER was not far from
the truth when he asserted that twelve thousand
Cape rebels had revolted. This was pessirnis-
tic confession but 1t illustrated the depression
prevailing in official circles.
! Meanwhile the smart sets are enjoying them
selves whatever may he going in Darkest
I Africa. The partridge shooting opened yester-
parties.
The September wedding list for town and
country is a long one. 1t includes one of the
showiest figures OF Queen Victorias Jubilee
! Captain Oswald Ames who. by virtue of being
the taIIest man in the British army, led the ia
nous procession. He will marry Violet Doro-
thea Cecil cousin of the Marquis OF Exeter
and Lord Salisbury.
Andrew Carnegie has presented the sum of
flOO 20 each of the four heroes of the coliery
disaster at Donibristle Scotland.
Sir Henry Irving and Miss Ellen Terry opened
! a short provincial tour last night at Manches-
ter. starting off with "Corolanus" George
Alexander also began an autumn tour al Black
pool and William Gillette appeared for the
first time IN England Sherlock Holmes at the
Shakespeare Theatre at Liverpool Nat Good
win and Maxine Elliott received hearty well
= 4 ady wi