Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-02-26
FEDERATION OF LABOR
Convention Of Delegates to Form
State Organization.
Burlington Labor Men Criticised for
Not Insisting on Union Made Goods
Company store at Proctor De.
clared to BE Satisfactory.

A convention of delegates from the diff
ferent unions of the State was held at
the Woodmen's hall in this city Tuesday
and yesterday. There were about 40 dele
gates present. representing every craft
and coming mostly from Barre, Rutland,
Bennington, Brattleboro, Proctor and
Essex Junction. The purpose of the meet
ing was to form a State Federation of
Labor
The meeting was called to order by G. T.
Jones of South Burlington, president Of
the Central Labor Union, and Il. +.
Healey of Barre was made temporary
chairman Mr.. Healey made a brief adj
dress. after which the temporary organi-
cation was completed by electing c. f.
Jones vice-chairman. j. Il. Stafford Of
Rutland secretary, and John Arvidson Of
Rutland secretary treasurer. The chair
man was empowered to name a committee
on credentials and appointed James Cruik
shank of Barre. Michael Mullin of Rut-
land and G.. Il. Mexican of Rutland Adj
journment was then taken for about Is
minutes and photograph Of the delegates
was taken.
The agent of the Vermont Union Signal,
| a new labor paper. started by Il. A.
Dodge of Rutland was present and stated
that the paper has the guaranteed support
or ii labor unions, Is edited by press
committee and started with 500 subscrib-
ers. 1t will be devoted entirely to the
|
nent labor leaders in the State will APP
pear on the first page of each issue.
The Rutland delegation brought up the
fact that in Burlington union-made goods
are not demanded by union men and
hence tho cause is hurt. This brought out
an opinion on the part of several delegates
that as soon as the organization is sufii-
o1ently complete only goods bearing the
blue LABEL will be accepted by any
union man.
| When the report of the committee on
credentials was read the seat of the dele
gate from tho Amalga Wood Work.
eiS association Of Essex Junction was
contested but after some discussion he
was allowed to remain and the report was
accepted.
Short reports from many delegates were
then heard, all reporting good progress in
the recently formed unions. The delegate
from Proctor stated that the company
store there is perfectly satisfactory to the
union and as good as any other store. The
speakers were all in favor of stronger
union, OF helping each other in time of
lstrikes and never giving up until their
claims have been properly adjusted.
a motion to form a State Federation
OF Labor was unanimously carried and a
committee composed of Messrs. Jones'
. Derwin, Arvidson, Cruikshank and Lynch
was appointed to formulate n constitution
and bylaws to govern the Vermont State
ftuefatOH or Labor, this committee to re-
: port progress at 1870.
The convention then voted to accept will
thanks the invitation of the Central Labor
Union of Burlington for a smoke talk In
the evening and adjournment was taker
until 1880.
| AT the evening session at 7:3O the fol-
lowing permanent officers of the Vermont
g state Branch of the American Federation
f of Labor were elected: President B. F..
I llealey of Barre; first vice president, G.
T Il. Jones of South Burington; second
2 vice-president, j. L. Dervin of Rutland
third vice president, l.. &. Ahrens of
Brattleboro; fourth vice-president, o. l..
Burke of st. Adams: recording secret airy
Ira +. Stafford of Rutland; financial sec
rotary and treasurer. Charles r. Nc
kean of Rutland. The report of the COM
a, nittce appointed to draw up a constitu-
ton and bylaws was accepted and
, adopted.
AT the smoke talk given by the Ger
: trail Labor Union the various delegates to
/, the state convention spent the time in a
social way after the business meeting
Short speeches were heard from several
, delegates and several selections were
I given by a male quartette composed OF
Nlessrs. Brayton Chausse. Duval and
{ Hatch. which were very creditably rem
: dcred and well received by those present