The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15
AUTONOMY OF TRADES
ACTION OF THE FEDERATION OF La
Dor on THE QUESTION.
Recommen dafions of the Committee,
which Were Adopted, Regard
ed rs Straddle.
SOCIALISM NOT ENCOURAGED
WAGE FARMERS WOULD LOSE BY
EMBRACING ITS DOCTRINES.
Samuel Gompers Reelected Preside MT
and John l.. Mitchell Second
Vice President.
SOCIALISM NOT ENCOURAGED
WAGE FARMERS WOULD LOSE By
EMBRACING ITS DOCTRINES.

this afternoons session, put itself on record
on two questions which have been agitat-
ing the delegates since the convention con-
vened ten days ago, namely-trade auton-
omy and socialism. The greater of the two
in the minds of the most Of the delegates
was that of autonomy. In brief, the spe-
cial committee on autonomy recommended
for large Industrial concerns. where there
are only few craftsmen, that the best in
terests of all would be conserved by the few
joining the paramount organization. The
committee also recommended the promulga-
ton of subdivided crafts into district and
national trade councils. where all disputes
should be settled. The recommendations of
the committee, to the surprise of many,
were unanimously adopted without sin
gle remark being made by any one The
recommendations are viewed differently by
the delegates. The miners, who have IA
vored industrial autonomy, and who have
put that principle into effect in the mines,
looked on it as victory, while the brewery
workmen. pressmen and 'longshoremen saw
some concessions in the report There are
not few who were displeased and declared
that the whole report was no more than a
"straddle" and that the question will come
recommendations
committees report follow:
"First-The magnificent growth of the
American Federation of Labor is conceded
by all students of economic thought TO be
the result of organization in trade lines,
ana believing II neither necessary nor ex-
pedlent TO make any radical departure
from this fundamental principle, be-
lfeve that as a general proposition the in
terests or the workers will be best con-
served by adhering closely to that doc
changes h
DDS Of production and employment make
practicable. However. owing to the isola-
ton of some few industries from thickly
populated centers where the overwhelming
number follow one branch thereof owing
to the fact that in some Industries COM
paratively few workers are engaged, over
which separate organizations claim juris-
| diction, we believe that jurisdiction in
such industries by the paramount organi-
cation would yield the best results to the
workers therein. Nothing contained in
this declaration is intended or shall be
construed to mean a reversal Of any de-
ciSiOn rendered by former executive coun-
| ellis or previous conventions on questions
of jurisdiction.
"Second-We hold that the interests OF
the trade union movement will be promoted
by closely allying the subdivided craft
giving consideration to amalgamation and
to the organization of district and national
trade councils to which should be referred
questions in dispute, and which should be
adjusted within allied craft lines.
''Third-The American Federation OF
Labor being a voluntary association cannot
direct and should not adopt methods an
tegOnistic or in conflict with established
trade union methods, and in order to carry
| the above recommendations into effect, and
in full recognition of its logical position
| the American Federation Of Labor pledges
| its officers TO aid and assist in the adjust
ment of such craft encroa chments as dis
putants may be willing to submit to it.
| arbitrament."
NO JOY FOR SOCIALISTS.
The failure of the Socialist delegates tC
attack the sub-resolution was the surprise
of the day. The Socialists, in declining tC
take up the discussion, explained that the
| convention had so much business to dis
| pose of in the limited time at its dispose
that they would not seize the opportunity
at this time to show Socialism could cure
the ills of humanity. The substitute wa.
! adopted by a large majority 1t is a.
| follows:
THE aims and desires and aspirations ot
trade unionists comprise all that is neces-
| sary or possible to the wellbeing of the
| human family, and in the pursuit and ac.
| complishment of which cheerfully ac-
| cept, and, in fact, desire all the assistance
| which can be given our movement by those
| reform forces which stand for the better
| ment of mankind In this position we are
in close relationship TO the greater body oil
| Socialists, and with them agree that MOI
/ only should the burdens of toll be made
| lighter, but that each worker has an unde.
| niable right to enjoy the full benefit of that
| which he or she produces. We like them
stand for greater liberty and are deter.
/ mined so to act that the future shall be
| more congenial to the whole human family
| and especially more bright and enjoya BILE
10 men and women bread-earners of NORTH
| America, whom we directly and indirectly
represent. 1t is true. nevertheless, that in
| furtherance of our claim-namely, that oul
| principles comprise the fullest and highest
| scope of human activity and from time tC
| time will be enhanced and advanced in &C.
| cordance with the demands to satisfy hui
| man needs and desires-the people We
| represent, the working class, hold different
! views on the best method of furthering the
| desired end, even although there Is littl,
| difference among them to the desirable
ity of the positions we hope to attain.
! We unhesitatingly announce that tbs
| trade-uniOn movement theory represented
as the most practicable. safe and legitimat,
| channel through which the wOrhngmer
| and women of North America should no
| only continue TO seek redress for theil
wrongs, but by which they can strengthen
! their economic position until it will contro
| the political field and thereby place labor
in fun possession of its inherent rights.
| 1--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 higl
moral desire to crafty and an injustice Il
| correct. Our meetings; local and national
are now and always have been free TO tn,
| discussion of any legitimate economic OF
| political question, and, on the other hand
| are as equally pronounced against partie,
and politics, religious divisions or rae,
! prejudices, and. success has followed
| those meritorious conclusions. we would b,
unfaithful to the duty we owe TO mankind
to do other than strongly recommend
| continuance of the methods the inculca tiol
| of which means the greatest amount O
safety to our movement with the least de
gree of danger.
/ In conclusion, we assert il Is the dut,
of all trade unions 10 publish in their Off
| cial journals, TO discuss in their meetingl
/ and the members TO study in their homes
/ all questions of public nature having refer
ence TO Industrial or political liberty ant
| TO give such consideration to subjects Of
| grievously submit that il is not within tn
! power of this organization TO dictate L
members OF our unions to which politica
party they shall belong or which party
ticket they shall vote.
The convention took up the greater par
of the afternoon in the election of officers
| All Of the officers were elected as follows
! President, Samuel Gompers; first vice pres
| ident, James Duncan, Of Boston; secon
vice president, John Mitchell, of Indianap
oils: third vice president. James Connell
! Washington. d. c.; fourth vice president
Max Morris, Colorado; fifth vice president
Thomas 1. Kidd sixth vice president Den
mis- ~ Hayes, Philadelphia; treasurer, Johl
| 3. Lennon, Bloomington, ILL.,; secretary
| Frank Morrison, Washington, D. G.
The fTaternal delegates elected were: i