The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-01-12
.MOSLEY TO
SUBMIT REPORT

The meeting of the Birmingham Trades
Council this afternoon at $3.50 o'clock, at
Bricklayers Hall, promises to be one
of much interest. The report of ]. H. F.
Mosley, delegate to the Scranton. con-
vention of the American Federation of
Labor. will be received. Mr.. Mosley says
editorially in the Labor Advocate, the Of
fetal journal:
The convention of the A. F. of l.. is now
history, and the many things done and
left undone are open for discussion
In regard to attendance it was the
largest ever held, having some 315 dele
gates. representing 1,250,0 600 members. In
the amount and character of business ac-
complished there is some room for crit
icism, but the critic should remember the
various interests represented, 1t being
hard to decide what was the best under
the circumstances.
The convention should have been more
explicit in the definition of trades au-
tonomy, which is the stumbling block
and contention between many unions.
All the business of the convention was
conducted on a high plane. The Fedora
ton has become in truth deliberate and
legislative body. Work is divided and
fights are made in committees rather than
on the floor of the convention. 1t was
than at preceding conventions. Many per-
picking questions came up for settlement.
Whenever possible they were settled by
the convention, but the new executive
council finds itself confronted with a
legacy of work which will require a good
deal of their attention during the coming
year.
The increase of per capita tax from one
third to one half cent for National and
International Unions will provide large
addition to the funds now used for or
ganizing and educational work. The Fed
eral Unions are to pay ten cents tax
per month in future and the five per
cent increase is to be kept in a separate
fund for their assistance during strikes.
The Locals and Federal Unions will now
nave no complaint to make about not re-
ceivfng help in proportion to their tax
alton.
defense fund should have been found
ed for aid, and the failure to do so was
disappointment to all who feel that the
great industrial battle is yet to come and
that the American Federation of Labor
must lead the forces of organized labor
in the fight.
The British delegate, r. Tillet made
the speech of the convention. One would
have to hear this able and gifted Eng
lishman to appreciate his oratory.
Brother Chandler made an able frater-
nal talk, and in all gave an able presen-
tation of the trades unions of the old
world
Many propositions were made affecting
the welfare of federal unions, and the
more important were referred to a refer
endum vote of such unions.
The ablest men among the printer dele
gates were Garrett and Morrison of
Washington. and Max Hayes. who was
representing the Central Labor Union of
Cleveland, o.
The more prominent men from the
South were Jerome Jones of Atlanta, Ca
r. E. Lee of New Orleans La; Fahay
of Nashville Tenn: G.. c. Echard of An
niston, Ala; Hughes of San Antonio,
Tex; W. e. Fason of Raleigh, N. c.; d.
U. Williams of Birmingham Ala. and
Hogan of Dallas. Tex.
This meeting is the regular time for the
nomination of officers for the ensuing