Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-11-17
HOT DEBATES
IN LABOR
MEET
SATURDAYS SESSION OF THE
CONVENTION IN NEW or
LEANS Was MARKED BY
WARM WORDS.

try, devoting our best efforts to the up
lifting of the wage earners Of our coun-
try. giving them hope and encourage
ment, and appealing to them to unite with
organized workers so that the fraternity
of man of the world may be accomplish
ed at the earliest possible date
This is the message sent out by the
American Federation Of Labor on the 2lst
anniversary of it's birth to the laboring
men throughout the world.
The last session of the day was within
few minutes of it's close when Presi-
dent Gompers announced that he desired
to recognize Delegate Andrew Turesteth
for particular purpose. The latter de-
clared that November Is 1902 was the
twenty-first birthday Of the Americas
Federation Of Labor and gave short
sketch of its history and its aims. Presis
dent Gompers made brief address, say
ing that of all the delegates present at
the formation of the organization In Pitts
burg In 1881 he was the only man present.
Upon motion of Delegate Driscoll, of
Massachusetts, he was appointed COM
mittee of one to frame an appropriate
resolution and the message given above is
the result.
During the day there were two animated
debates, the first over the resolution de-
claring against the ship subsidy bill, and
the second over that declaring against the
construction of an isthmian canal.
The committee on resolutions reported
favorably on the motion declaring against
the subsidy bill. and the convention was
about to adopt the report when William
j. Gilthorpe, of the Brotherhood Of Boil
ermakers and Iron Ship Builders, took the
floor to speak in its favor. He declared
that its enactment into law would result
in the increased employment of skilled
labor and enable this country to construct
ships as cheaply as they could be built
in foreign countries. He declared that the
American marine required protection, and
that this could be secured through the
passage of the subsidy bill, and he
urged that the report of the resolutions
committee be not concurred In.
When he took his seat storm broke
loose. A dozen delegates were on their
feet ciamoring for recognition. Presi-
dent Gompers gave the floor to James
O'ConneH, president of the international
Association of Machinists, who delivered
a vehement address declaring that no
greater combine existed in the United
States than that of the great ship yards.
and that union labor had no more relent-
less foe. They were opposed to the eight
hour day, he said, and had discharged
union men because they were union
men. t
Andrew Furesteth, delegate OF the Sea-
mems union and Trainer OF the resolu-
ton, spoke at great length against Mr..
.Gilthorpes attitude. He declared that
steel and iron vessels could be built IN
this country for as little money as any
where In the world, saying that MEM
Der of the firm of Cramp & Sons had so
testified before a congressional commit
tee. On the final vote the report Of the
committee on resolutions was adopted.
Mr.. Gilthorpe cast the sole negative
vote.
The resolution declaring against the
Nicaragua or Panama canal came next
and on this the resolutions committee
reported adversely and a motion to adopt
the report was made at once. Delegate
Fl1resteth, who introduced the resolution,
upon rising to speak in its defense, de-
clared that he knew he stood almost
alone. He insisted that the American
navy was inferior and not strong enough
to protect the canal and that In time
of war an army would be necessary.
This army could only march through
Mexico and Central America and that
permission for 1t to do this would be
refused by the Latin American coun-
tries and then the United States would
be compelled to conquer them In order
to protect it's own on the isthmus. He
was in favor of the construction Of the
canal by the country through which II
passed or DY pT1NdlS CnlCAPAASC.
D. A Hayes, president Of the Glass
Blowers union, declared the Federation
was meddling too much extraneous mat
ter. He was in favor of the canal, but
considered 1t wise for the federation to
let the subject alone.
ssIf we are going out side," he declared,
'1ets free Ireland" If we can't do that,
why bother with the latin American
races"
DoIo,,o+a LIo1,aa snaech xuas greeted with
cheers and laughter throughout.
Secretary Agard, of the Glass Blowers,
asserted that always before a war there
was talk of the inferiority of the Ameri-
can navy but such a thing was never
heard of when the war was over.
Numerous other speakers devoted much
oratory to the subject and then came the
nzzling finish. Delegate Lewis, a small
man with a pleading manner and mod
est voice, rose after a particularly thuu-
derous speech had been delivered and
gently remarked:
1T move the whole thing be laid on the
table"
President Gompers put the motion in
stantIy and it was carried at once.
other resolutions reported by the COM
mittee and on which action was taken
are as follows:
Expressing sympathy for the death of
John F. O'SuIlivan, of Boston, member
Of Typographical union. Adopted.
For the enactment of mining laws In
Indian Territory providing for the licen-
sing Of mine managers and hosting en-
gineers. Adopted.
Protesting against the forcible return
Of seamen deserving from or violating a
contract to labor on private vessel.
Adopted,
Protesting against and asking the re-
peal of section 4449 of the United States
statutes 'depriving officers in our mer-
chant marine of their right to leave en-
ployment In which for reasons of their
own, they decline to continue" Adopted.
Instructing the incoming executive
council to appeal to the president Of the
United States for the pardon of E. w.
Clark, confined in Thomaston yard for a
crime committed on the high seas.
| Adopted.
Revolving the charter of local union OF
roofers in Boston. Mass, unless it afhl-
iates with the Amalgamated Sheet Metal
Workers International association. Num-
Der of union not given. Adopted.
This comprised the work of the after
noon, and an adjournment was taken until
| 9 o'clock Monday morning.
For the sending Of a fraternal delegate
| to Germany.
For the calling of a convention COM
! prising delegates from the central bodies
| in all cities of over $4,000 inhabitants, to
| consider conditions and evils peculiar to
large cities which may be oppressive to
the laboring people, the best interests OF
II