The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-03-13
STATE FEDERATION
FIRST CONVENTION
Provision Made for a Legislative
Committee-Synopsis of the Pro-
posed Constitution.

At the third days session of Wilkes
Barre convention to form State Fed
GRAFTON of Labor, it was decided that
at each annual session legislative
committee of three shall be elected, and
that the chairman of the committee
| shall attend each session of the legis-
lature and make thorough report
| weekly of what is done, and also keep
a record of how the legislators aid or
oppose legislation in favor of the work.
| ingmen. The chairman is to get s.
| day and railroad fare.
| The state is to be divided into seven
| districts, and a committee was appoint
| ed to do this work. Aid was offered the
miners in their endeavor to get a fair
| and just settlement of the existing
| difficulties. and it was decided to send
a committee to see the legislative COM
mttee of railroaders, which meets at
| Reading next month. to plan harmon-
Gus action regarding legislative mat
| terS.
A telegram was received from Presi-
! dent Gompers, approving the work of
| the federation. The dues for the year
were fixed at half n cent a man for the
| local unions. S. for the central and
state bodies, and 81 initiation for the
| new unions.
The convention committee of the
whole discussed an amendment pre-
| sented by j. Mahlin Barnes, of Phila-
| delphia, a delegate from the Cigar
makers union of that place. to the ef-
! feet that the executive council shall
| constitute Legislative committee and
| that no member of the state federation
| shall at any time go to Harrisburg as
a lobbyist.
The discussion for and against this
amendment brought out much useful
| information, and after the various
| points had been thoroughly discussed
the matter was placed before the con-
| Vention to decide by vote and the
amendment was lost.
| An abbreviated report of the commit
tee on constitution was given out. 1t
is, in part, as follows:
This organization shall be known as the Penn.
| sylvania State Federation OF Labor and shall
confirm to its rules etc. The object shall he TO
| encourage the formation of local central ira les
| and labor union in all cities and towns in the
| state Also to assist in the establishment of ma
tional and international trades unions
To encourage the purchase of union label goods
To agitate such questions may be for the
| benefit of the working classes in order that we
| may obtain the enactment of such measures by
| the state legislature.
| To correct abuses under which the working
classes are laborng as to insure equitable
| rights and just privileges
| This Federation shall meet annually on the
| second Tuesday of March. Delegates from ten
| local unions shall constitute quorum for the
| transaction of business
Special meetings shall be called by the preSi-
| dent and fifteen affiliated unions Two months
| notice must be given.
| No person shall be eligible to membership TN
| less he or she has beer a member of labor or.
| ganization six months prior 10 the date OF
| vention. This does not apply to unions organized
| six months prior to the convention
No boycott shall be approved by the Fedora
| tion until thorough investigation has been
made, and faithful attempt to remove the cause
| OF the grievance