The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-11-16
Organize for the Uplifting OF
Working Men.
SHIP SUBSIDIES OPPOSED
The Federation of Labor While Apparently Ap-
proving the Construction of an lsthmian
Canal Lays The Subject on
the Table.
(By the Associated Press.)


New Orleans, Nov. 15.-"R Resolved, that
we declare our unfaltering fealty to the
trade labor movement of our country,
devoting our best efforts to the uplifting
of the wage earners of our country, Civ
ing them hope and encouragement, and
appealing to them to unite with organ
lied workers so that the fraternity OF
man throughout the world may be ac-
complished at the earliest possible date.
This is the message sent out by the
American Federation of Labor on the
21st anniversary of it's birth, to the la
boring men throughout the world.
President Gompers made a brief adj
dress, saying that Of all the delegates
present at the formation of the organi-
Zation in Pittsburg in 1881, he was the
only man present. He was appointed
committee of one to frame an appro
pirate resolution and the message given
above it the result
During the day there We're two anil
mated debates, the first over the resou-
tion declaring 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 wac
about to adopt the report when William
G.. Gilthorpe, of the Brotherhood OF
Boiler-makers and Iron-ship Builders
took the floor to speak in it's favor. He
declared that it's enactment into law
would result in increased employment of
skilled labor and enable this country to
construct ships as cheaply as they could
be built in foreign countries. He de-
clared that the American marine required
protection and that could be secured
through the passage of the Subsidy Bill
and he urged that the report of the Rt
lutions Committee be not concurred in.
James O'Connell, president of the In
ternational Association of Machinista,
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
relentless foe
On the final vote the report of the
Committee on Resolutions was adopted
Mr. Gilthorpe casting the sole negative
vote.
The resolution declaring against the
and on this the Resolution Committee
reported adversely and a motion to adopt
the report was made at once. Dele
gate Fureseth, of San Francisco, who
introduced the resolution, insisted that
the American navy was inferior and not
strong enough 70 protect the canal, and
that in time of war an army would be
necessary. This army could only march
that nermission FOR it 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 it
passed or by private enterprise.
D. A. Hayes, president of the Glass
Blowers Union, declared the Federation
was meddliag too much in extraneous
matters. He was in favor of the canal,
but considered it wise for the Fedora
tion to let the subject alone.
After several other speeches. the entire
subject was tabled. movement was in
augurated today by Delegate Charles
Sherman. of the Sheet Metal Workers,
having for it's object the holding of a
six weeks of representatives Of all iron
workers engaged in the building trades
the object Of the convention being to de-
termine accurately the lines Of jurisdlc-
tion belonging to various bodies.
AS usual the committee on credentials
had the floor when the convention of
the Federation of Labor opened this
morning. It's report was that John R.
or ,,,1yA Of
and F. A. Bassette, of the Denver
Trades and Labor Assembly. be seated.
The report of the committee was adopted.
The auditing committee reported the
following financial condition of the or
ganiZation
Balance on hand at the opening
of the last fiscal year..........$ S,814
Total receipts .................... 144, 49S
Total cash received during the
year ...................... l53,3l2
Expenditures NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 119,1S6
Balance on hand ............... 81, ,126
Approved.
The president announced that mas T.
much as many delegates Were unable to |
prepare their resolutions on time for
presentation Yesterday they would be al |
lowed to submit them today The most |
important submitted today were as fol- !
lows
That the good Offices of the incoming
executive council be asked to secure the |
enactment of national laws for disabled |
working people and toaprovide a system !
of national insurance for their assistance
during the enforced idleness.
That the A. F. L. appeal to Congress i
to submit to the Legislatures of the sew
eral States a proposition for an amend :