The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-16
Resolution Declares JnfaIteTiRg
 FeaIb to Cause of lab0t
2lST BIRTHDAY OF 4 E OF L
Movement to Have the Ship Subsidy BllI Endorsed Was Lost By an Almost Unanimous Vote.
 Storm Broke Loose.

that we declare our un1altering Iealty 10 the trade labor movement of our country, devoting our best efforts to the uplifting of the wage earners of our country giv- ing them hope and encouragement and appealing to them to unite with organized workers so that the fraternity of man, of the world may be accomplished at the earliest possible date"
 This is the message sent out by the American Federation of Labor on the twenty-nrst university of it's birth to the laboring men throughout the world.
 The last session of the day was within few minutes of its close when Presi- dent Gompers announced that he desired to recognize Delegate Andrew Furesteth for a particular purpose. The latter do- clared that November l5, 1902, was the twenty-first birthday of the American Federation of Labor and gave a short sketch of It's history and its aims. Pres ident Gompers made a brief address say ing that of all the delegates present at the formation of the organization, in Pittsburg in 1881, he was the only man present. Upon motion of Delegate Dris- coll of Massachusetts, he was appointed a committee of one to frame an appro- priate resolution and the message given above is the result.
 Two Animated Debates.
 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 tl.z 4fox. ar Tcfhv for. al
 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 Botl- ermakers and Iron Ship Builders, took the floor to speak in its favor. He declared that it's 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 four countries. He declared that the American mariner required protection and that this could be secured through the passage of the subsidy bill, and he urged that the report of the resolutions commit tee be not concurred in.
 When he took his seat storm broke loose A dozen delegates were on their feet clamoring for recognition. Presi- dent Gompers gave the floor to James O'Connell, president of the International Association of Machinists, who delivered a vehement address. decIaring that no greater combine existed in the United States than that of the great ship yards, and that union labor had no more re- Ientless foe. They were opposed to the eight-hour day, he said, and had dis charged union men because they were union men.
 Voted Against Subsidy Bill.
 Andrew Furesteth. delegate of the Sea- mems union and framer of the resolu- tion, spoke at great length against MT. Gilthropes' 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 a 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 were adopted. MT Gilthorpe cast the sole negative vote.
 The resolution declaring against the Nicaraguan or Panama canal came next, and on this the resolutions committee re- ported adversely, and motion adopting the report was made at once. Delegate Furesteth, who introduced the resolu- tion, upon rising to speak in its defense, declared that he knew he stood almost alone. He insisted that the American navy was infericr 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 Mex leo and Central America and that per- mission to do this would be refused by the Latin-American countries, and then the United States would be compelled to conquer them in order 10 protect it's own on the isthmus. lie was m favor of the construction of the canal by the country through which 1t passed or by private enterprise. D. A. Hayes, president of the Glass Blowers unIon, declared the federation was meddling with too much extraneous matter. He was in favor of the canal. but considered it wise for the federation to let the subject alone.
 If we are going outside" he declared. Tets free Ireland. If we can't do that why bother with the Latm-American races?
 Delegate Hayes speech was greeted with cheers and laughter throughout.
 Navy Not Inferior.
 Secretary Agard of the Glass Blowers association asserted always before war there was talk of the inferiority of the American 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 fizzng finish.
 Delegate Lewis, a small man with a pleading manner and a modest voice. rose after a particularly thunderous speech had been delivered, and gently remark ed; T move the whole thing be laid on the table,"
 President Gompers put the motion in- stantly and it was carried at once.
 Other resolutions reported by the com mttee and on which action was taken are as follows:
 Expressing sympathy for the death of John F. O'Sullivan of Boston, a member of the Typographical union. Adopted
 For the enactment of mining laws in Indian Territory, providing for the licen- sing of mine managers and hoisting en- gineers. Adopted.
 Protesting against the forclble return of seamen deserting from or violating a contract to labor on a private vessel Adopted.
 Protesting against and asking the re- peal of section 4449 of the United States statute "depriving officers in our mer- chant marine of their right to leave em- ployment in which for reasons of their 4t. 1@,1