The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-08
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Faneuil Hall in Boston. Mass. 1t
is the twenty-third annual convention of
the American Federation OF Labor and will
be attended by over 500 delegates, repre-
senting several millions Of wage-earners.
There Ill international trade and labor
unions, with a membership of over 10000
locals and nearly 1900 federated unions af-
filiated with the American Federation of
Labor, known as the greatest organization
of the toiIers.
The year has held some vital internal
labor questions for the convention for alb
solute and satisfactory settlement. Ques-
tions of great moment, affecting the wage
Garner now and in the future are to be
fought out on the floor OF this convention
Due to the growth of the movement of or
ganized labor during. the past year ques-
tons CT various kinds have arisen. There
are many walls of dissatisfaction from all
quarters-especially in regard to the juris-
diction of certain unions and trades. Igno-
rance and viciousness have asserted them
selves and the better element feel that the
supreme moment has come when all this is
to be crushed once and for all.
GOOD MEN IN FRONT.
The fact that representative men of Amer
ica's yeomanry have the initiative in the
conventions gives encouragement to those
who hold organized labor an institution of
the masses for their own betterment, and
not a thing to be made the tool of Sam
Parks and others of his stamp. All ques-
tions are to be judged and handled by the
wisdom of those who have had experience,
and the highest aim of the legislators will
be to mete out justice to those to whom
justice is due. There is not much doubt
but that the convention will prove itself
worthy Of the trust and confidence that is
reposed in it's members by the wage-earners
OF America.
Of al the questions that are to be fought
to the bitter end, that of the question of
trade jurisdiction and trade autonomy
stands forth pre-eminently. AT the pres
ent moment In the world Of labor there
are clashes without end the question
of jurisdiction, such as that between the
carpenters and the amalgamated wood
workers, the transfers and brewery drivers
and laundry drivers, the gasfitters and the
plumbers. etc. each union demanding that
this man or that belongs under its jurisdic-
ton. Foremost among the fights juris-
diction will be the first mentioned-that be-
| tween the carpenters and amalgamated
woodwsorkers.
CARPENTERS FIGHT.
The point at issue is the charge on the
part OF the carpenters that the woodwork
ers ara violating the cardinal principles of
trade sInionism by working at certain cities,
in New York nine hours day, where the
eight-hour day has been established by the
carpenters for over two years; in working
for reduced rates of wages to that which
the msmbers of the United Brotherhood of
| Carpenters were receiving, and in taking
the places of the brotherhood men who
were suit on strike for better conditions.
| II is said that the American Federation of
Labor has given its sanction to the action
/ of thA woodworkers and therefore the
carpenters are preparing to fight the trou-
BILE ouk on the floor of the convention.
| Further differences in the two unions are
in tho claim Of the woodworkers of ju-
risdictson over the mill hands The conten-
ton Was submitted to umpire who
/ handed down a decision that the wood
WORKERS should have Jurisdiction and that
the carpenters should turn over their
''joinef'' members TO that organization
The carpenters refused to abide by the de-
cision4
! BotE sides will be fully and ably repre-
|
fair settled one way or another once and
| for al.
The open shop will be paid its due atten-
ton b. the convention. but it is not prob
able taat any decisive action will be taken
committing the unions to any one policy
The american Federation of Labor advo-
Gates the closed shop for It claims that
employees cannot keep their contracts with
/ 81. u,
! shop is involved, for the reason that the
union men cannot be responsible for the
non-ueion men. The following excerpts,
taken from the last number of the Ameri-
can Federationist sets forth clearly the
/ position OF the Federation as TO the open
shop. 1t is from an address issued by the
executive council of the American Fedora
ton OF Labor:
In view of the publicity given this sub
ject, the executive council OF the American
Federation of Labor takes this opportunity
TO sag that the trace union movement
stands for strictly union shop. experience
having proved that where the open shop
/ system has been tried reduction in wages
/ and pIofts have ensued, with general dis
aster Ito the industry practicing that sys-
/ TEN. and therefore declares that the best
/ interests OF the labor movement call for
the employment of union workers and dis
couraises in every way. shape and form the
deteriarating effects which follow the rec
ignition OF the open shop.
The toiling masses, and particularly the
organized wage-earners. cannot. must not
and viii not surrender one iot of that
which they have secured. must organize
the yet unorganized. unite and federate
| those ALREADY organized to present solid
/ phalaIx of the grand army of labor in
earnest and emphatic protest against judi
cial ussurpation or capitalistic invasion of
our rights. attempted matter by whom
| or from whatsoever source"
A NEWER QUESTION.
a n.wer question to be dealt with by the
convention will. no doubt. be that which has
arisen, within the past few nonths-the en-
| ploynsent OF young girls as messengers in
the telegraph offices. In several of the
larger. cities OF the East and Middle West
Indianapolis included-young girls have
been drafted into the messenger service
Organized labor will fight this new condi-
ton cf society. It's claim is that the mes
senger service is no work for a young girl
| ut The very time OF life when her future is