The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-14
Representatives of Both Crafts Leave
the MeetiBg. Their
Fists in Anger.
UNIONS AND THE BALLOT BOX
MORE TROUBLE CAUSED BY INTRO
DUCTION OFF A RESOLUTION.
Many Think Ii Was a Scheme 10 Gain
support for Socialist Party
Days Business.

There was a storm yesterday at the ses-
sion OF the United Garment Workers con-
vention at the Claypool Hotel. Time and
again the cutters and the tailors clashed in
loud and heated arguments, shook their
fists at one another and said things they
would not nave said ordinarily. Many on
both sides left the convention hall and held
discussions in the lobby of the hotel. Some
left the convention declaring that they
would never be delegates again.
The causes of the exciting conflicts were
the introduction of various resolutions by
one side which infringed on the freedom
of the other. The cutters and the tailors
are so closely allied to one another, without
a clear line of demarcation, that a spirit
of rivalry exists between them. Any motion
made by one that affects the other other
wise than beneficialIy is bitterly opposed.
The resolution around which the storm
ragged was one suggesting that the mer-
chants be prohibited from sending their
cloth outside the city to be cut. This the
cutters resented, as it would affect them
materially. The reason given by the tailors
for prohibiting the cloth to be sent to other
cities was that it gives the cheaper cutters
the most work, for merchants will always
send it where they can get it cut cheapest.
The strongest protest came from the dele
gates from Boston, who wanted a provision
made that Boston tailors be prohibited
from sending their cloth to New York.
where the prices on cutting are much
cheaper. AS this would deprive the cutters
of New York of a great deal of business,
it was Immediately opposed by the New
York people, of which there is a majority.
For a while it seemed that the two oppo-
sitions would clash, but the resolution was
tabled and the convention adjourned for
the day.
UNIONS AND BALLOT BOX.
In the morning a resolution, committing
the organization to a more or less political
rolicy, caused no little excitement among
the delegates The resolution related to a
political union of the laboring people for
the purpose of securing control of the row.
eminent by having the unions pay more
attention to the ballot box. Although the
word socialism" was carefully kept out
of the resolution, many thought that it was
a scheme to gain support for the Socialist
party. The resolution was tabled for the
time being, and was brought up again at
the afternoon session, at which it was re-
ferred to the resolutions committee, WIFI III
structions to revise IL so that IL would not
conflict with the constitution
Another important event of the day was
the resolution offered by John b. Lennon;
secretary of the Journeymen Tailors OF
America, asking the United Garment WORK
ers of America TO appoint a committee TO
confer with a similar committee from the
Journeymen Tailors with the view OF
matchmaking the two organizations. A
great deal of the session was devoted TO
the discussion of this matter, as IL is con-
sidered the most important with when the
convention has to deal. The attitude of
the United Garment Workers towards the
amalgamation is generally favored. t
present there is a great deal OF opposition
tion of jurisdiction. Many EFFORTS nave
been made to draw a line between the two
but it has been impossible to come to an
agreement. 1t is stated that sooner or later
ms two organizations will have to form an
| alliance or else clash. in which case serious
harm would be done to both the trade and
the unions.
WILL APPOINT COMMITTEE.
Although the Garment Workers did not
| appoint a committee to meet the ~tailors. II
| was decided to make such an appointment
| on the last day of the convention. 1t was
| also decided to give the committee instruc-
| tons to consummate the amalgmations il
| possible and thereby solve the most serious
| problem in the Garment Workers Union
as we'll as increasing their strength by
| about 5000. The committee will not begin
| its work until after the adjournment of the
convention, and il may be a year before
they can fully perfect the union of the con
tending organizations. The meeting place
of the two committees has not yet beer
specified.
A host of resolutions were offered yester.
day from Chicago and all were relative tC
| local grievances. There are about fifty
| local unions in Chicago and they are con
| tinuaIly agitating local jurisdictions. From
| the resolutions yesterday it is probable tina
| there will be a general revision of the mem
bership of the Chicago m workers.
From the present outlook the convention
| will not close tomorrow night. Secretar.
| White said last night that he thought 4
| would take another week to transact all th'
| business on hand. The convention has beer
overwhelmed with resolutions from al
| quarters which have consumed unnecessary
time in their discussion. To-day and aftel
no resolutions will be considered except b,
a unanimous vote. As il is a great many
of them have been referred to the commit
tees without even being read.
The reports of the standing committees
will begin to-day and are expected to oc
cupy the greater part of the session. To
morrow will be held the election of officers
but the general opinion is that, with few
exceptions, the same executive board viii
/ no ra-elecfed