Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-19
DISCUSS CHINESE BILL
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, A. F. OF L.,
APPEALS TO CONGRESS.
Requests That Provisions of Scott Ex-
Matters Disposed Of.


The session of the executive council Of
the American Federation of Labor yester-
day lasted from o'clock in the morning
till nearly midnight.
A conference was held during the session
with Representative Kahn of Califor-
mia, Edward J. Livernash of the California
Chinese exclusion commission, A. Furuseth,
Thomas F. Tracy and members of the eN-
ecutive council present upon the alleged de-
fects in the Plat amendment adopted by
the Senate, particularly that feature of the
re-enactment of the Scott act the validity
of which is now being attacked in the Su-
preme Court. 1t was decided that Congress
be requested to re-enact the essential pro-
visions of the Scott act by the specific
terms of the act in regard to several pro-
visions of the- same as to lift it out of
the realm of contention as to its legal ex-
lStence or non-eXiStence.
Resolution Adopted.
AS a sequence to the discussion yesterday
the council this morning passed resolutions
to the effect that 1.-The House of Represen-
tatives passed House bill 1890, a Chinese ex-
clusion bill, which would exclude. and
which has the Endorsement of the Pacific
coast, and of labor" and that the Senate,
while expressing itself in favor of the eX-
clusion of Chinese laborers, refused to pass
Senate bill 1860, and in its placed adopted
a bill which will not exclude, and which is
a notice to China to denounce the treaty
with the expectation of getting another
more favorable to the admission into the
United States of Chinese coolies; therefore,
the executive council of the American
Federation of Labor declares that in the
name of labor we thank the senators and
m in he M hakr firm C
stood by House bill 1880 as passed, and
Senate bill 1850, as reported. and urge them
to continue to stand for the same to the
end that we may have effective exclusion
laws enacted, or that the full responsibility
for Ineffective legislation on this subject
may rest upon those who, while claiming
in the Senate substitute to give the coun-
try an exclusion law, are providing an act
which will be sure to involve the govern
ment in endless litigation and then fail to
exclude Chinese laborers.'
Effort to Secure Unity.
The local situation in Denver was taken
up, and Organizer ]. ID. Pierce was directed
to bring about unity among the labor forces
of that city and vicinity. A resolution was
passed providing for the appointment of a
committee of three by President Gompers
to visit Denver the latter part of May with
a view of comforting with the Western Fed
GRAFTON of Miners and other organizations
looking toward consolidation.
1t was decided that a meeting of the ex-
ecutive council, consisting of at least five
members and as many more can attend,
be held in San Francisco, July n: that
route to that city and return meetings be
arranged to confer with the workingmen
of the different sections of the western
country and to address public meetings.
The council resolved to make every effort
TO secure the passage of labor laws in the
state of West Virginia so that workmen
may be protected in their right to organize
for Self-protection.
To Adjust Dispute.
1t was decided to send a representative
of the executive council to Baltimore and
to Philadelphia to adjust the dispute be-
tween certain firms and the United Gar
ment Workers of America.
Aid was pledged to the paper makers of
the country in the introduction and general
enforcement of the eight-hour work day.
The executive council Endorsed the action
of President Gompers in notifying the Phil
adelphia Labor League that its charter
would be withdrawn unless il complied
with the decision of the Scranton conven-
ton admitting the hatters' local union af-
fliated to the National Union of Hatters of
America.
Reports were made regarding the alleged
fragrant and abuse of the writs of in
junction, particularly in West Virginia and
Virginia in the mining districts. The eX->
ecutfve council Will endeayor to arouse pub
lie sentiment to demand from the hands of
Congress an effective bill to prevent the
liberal issuance of injunctions.
Other Matters Considered.
request from the Brotherhood of Paint /
ers, Decorators and Paper Hangers for
trade protection in Philadelphia and New
York was granted.
President Gompers was directed to go to
Cincinnati to aid in carving ont the de-
cision reached in the brewery engineers
and fireman controversy. In the event of
his being unable to go he was authorized to
appoint some member of the executive
council to go in his stead.