Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-11-17
LIVELY DEBATES
Before American Federation Of
Labor at Boston.
Insurance AgentssW ant.a Chafter.Bdt
Matter Remains Undecided. x
Socialists Agree with View That eusi.
ness Depression 10 Coming.


Boston, Nov. .16--Two . spirited de-
bates enlivened what, would otherwise
have been a dull session Of the conVen-
ton of the American Federation OF La
Dor at Faneuil hall, today. The first
was upon the question of whether the
Federation should grant a charter to
the insurance agents of the country and
after a somewhat acrimonious discus
sion, the matter was referred to the
executive council. This was regarded
by the delegates as defeat for the plan
to organize and to charter insurance
agents.
The second debate was upon the sub
ject of industrial depression. 1t was
called forth by the report of the COM
fflittee on the presidents report endOrs-
ing the statement Of President Com
pers that a period of Industrial depres-
sion was coming. Several delegates, in
GLIDING Treasurer Lennon, expressed
their opinion that no depression was
probable, but the Socialist delegates in
sisted that the presidents forecast was
true. They urged as possible prevent
ative not only organization ON trOdes
union liEes, but also the formation of a
political rganization by labor workers.
Fifty or more resolutions were dis
posed of during the day, many calling
for the appointment of organizers for
Western and Southern states being re-
ferred to the executive council with
power to act.
The first brush of debate of the day
developed when the committee on res
olutions reported that the resolution en-
dorsing the granting of a charter to
the insurance agents Ut the country De
referred to the committee Of the EXecu-
tive Council. The resolution read that
..it is the sense of this convention that
there is nothing in the occupation OF an
insurance agent which would debar
those following that occupation from
organizing under the American FEEDER
alton of Labor" In supporting tine
committees recommendation several
delegates declared that the insurance
agents are not wage earners and not
wage earners and not therefore emitted
to a charter. Delegate OlCsnnell OF
Washington. objected to recognizing
the insurance agents asStn affiliated
union, because OF the pressure they
might then use on relatives Of unionists
to become insured.
Delegate Carey of Haverhill, the So
cialist, said the question was whether
the Federation was to distinguish be-
tween productive and non-productive
labor. II the Fedora ton would not per-
NIT the insurance agents to organize
(they being non-productive). then
countless other workers, who are nom
productive, would be excluded from
unionism. Mr. Carey contended that the
non-productive Iaborers belong to the
working self-protection. He was OPP
posed to the class and have the right to
organize for existing conditions but as
long as they necesitated the labdring Of
men as insurance agents, he certainly
believed the insurance people should be
organized because they are an impor-
tant part of the working class, even if
reproductive.
President Gompers took the floor in
opposition to the resolution. He be-.
licved the reason why many unions
were not well organized was that they
paid too much attention to 1.-THE curse
of insurance which we are asked TO-
endorse" He believed il the textile
workers of New England paid less at
! tention to outside insurance they prob
sablx. would not have a 10 per cent. re-
d1ctlcaisft wages staring them in the
faca today. He declared that's the trade.
union Insurance was what the union
ists should direct their attention to-.
and ~ 4hst feason alone heidi not
favor granting charters to Insurance
men. * y. sfSsN
The resolution was favoredSby Dele
gate Wilson of the mine workers, and
opposed by Delegatesasavin of the Cen
trail Labor Union, VlfkeHharre, Pm.
The committees r6Nbrt Twas con-
Cured in by vote o9l171 81 fayor and
II against. -.
Resolutions were a5p1ted thst the
Federation request all lAted organ
izations to instruct tlS9r Organizers to
assist the Actors National Protective
Union of America In organizing all
nou-union actors in vaudeville theatres
music halls. parks, etc; that the Fed
Grafton make special efforts to assist
the Italian laborers of New York to
organize: that the Federation's organ
izers do all possible to organize the
aSpndlt street pdNeiS III uubhout e"S
country; and that the execu-
tive council grant a charter to the
saw grinders with the sanction of the
Saw smiths' International Union. Refer
ence to the committee on the executive
council was made In the case OF reso
luton recommending that charter be
granted to the Bakery and Confectionery
workers International Union of America.
The Boston delegates were much interest.
ed in the resolution Ncondemning the w.
L. Telegraph Co. for it's unfair action
towards the messengers of Boston and
locking them out because they belong to
a union" and recommending the extend
ing of financial and moral support by this
federation. The committee on organiza-
ton recommend reference to the commit
tee on executive council. with the request
that good offices be made to hiring victo-
ry to the boys. This was concurred in.
Resolutions were adopted directing the
executive council to order all organizers
of the Federation to give their special
attention to the work of organizing the
factory tobacco trippers of the United
a States and Canada, and calling for the