The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-06

considered the leader of the jurisdictional
fight at the recent convention of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor. The jurisdictional
fights of the convention conferred around the
contest between the United Brotherhood of
Carpenters and Joiners and the Amalga-
mated Wood Workers, who are contending
for jurisdiction over mill hands. Mr.. Duffy
and Thomas /. Kidd president of the wood
workers, were the generals of the fight.
The jurisdictional question is now consid
cred the most important before the unions
and one which is not easily adjusted. Most
of the larger unions are involved in disputes
with one another over their respective juris-
dictions. In speaking of the situation Mr..
Duffy said:
zone of the most serious questions that
came before the Boston convention of the
American Federation of Labor for ADJUST
ment was the now famous question of juriS-
diction. Some of the national and inter-
national labor organizations represented In
the American Federation of Labor are In
favor of industrialism, while others favor
trades autonomy Between the two contend
ing forces arises the question of Jurlsdic-
ton. All parties look to the American Fed
Grafton of Labor to decide who is right and
who is not, but as the American Federation
of Labor was founded for the promotion or
national and international trades unions,
| based upon a strict recognition of the
autonomy of each trade. there Is nothing
| left for them TO do but to live up TO the
strict Interpretation of their own laws. Yet
in order not to cause or create any dissatis-
faction they allowed industrialism TO creep
in and break away the cornerstone of
autonomy, upon which the federation was
| founded many years ago.
TRADE AUTONOMY.
TRADE autonomy and industrial organi-
cation are terms that are construed by each
organization as seems best to suit its advo-
Gates. The real meaning of those terms and
their import are not thoroughly understood
by nine-tenths of the delegates that attend
the conventions of the A. F. of L., hence
the many conflicting decisions arrived at
but as the A. F. of l.. is only voluntary
organization it's DEGREES have no binding
effect on any of the trades unions affiliated
Herewith. In the case of the United Mine
| Workers Industrial organization was up
held; In that of the Brewery Workers. Allied
| Metal Mechanics, Structural Iron Workers
and the Steam Filters and Plumbers partial
/ industrial organization was granted, While
| in others strict trade autonomy was OBJ
| served and in some cases a division OF the
trade was ordered. This leaves things In a
/ deplorable condition and the A. +. of l.. in
| a more embarrassing position than ever be-
| fore.
SIN his report to the Boston convention
/ of the American Federation of Labor
Treasurer Lennon, of that body, departing
| from the usual lines, said as follows: One
| question in particular has been forced
strikingly upon my attention during the
| past year I'm connection with our trades
union movement. The subject is the one
/ involving jurisdiction of different organiza-
lions and the claims made by different
unions for jurisdiction over the same peo-
\ pie. For several years jurisdiction differ
| ence has existed between the United Gar
| ment Workers and the Journeymen Tailors'
Union of America, but no trades unionst
on this continent can point TO single In
| stance where either of the organizations
/ named has brought this contest into the
| trades union movement, or where it has
been a disturbing factor in the progress OF
any organization.
! Thine, which settles all questions, will
settle this one of jurisdiction. and the work.
ers of this continent will discover. sooner
or later, where their interests will be best
served. They, will decide finally to what
jurisdiction they belong, and as they are
| the parties who are really at interest, it is
only right that when their decision is
eventually given that it shall be the rule to
govern all organizations at interest. There
Is probably not trades unionist who is at
I all familiar with my name and standing in
i lev thoroughly in strict craft organiaa-
ton, and l feel confident from my knowl-
gs Of he 1ast and and Of the
| workers Of our continent that ii is In their
| own craft organization that they can re-
| ceive the best protection and secure the
best conditions of labor.
ORGANIZATION OF EMPLOYERS.
I
danger to the trade union movement be-
| cause of the organization of the employers
do not believe that this is at all dan
gerous. The organized employers cannot
consistently stand out against the organi-
zation of labor. and 1 do not believe that
] they will long do so. To me the danger in
| our movement lies in the divisions existing
in the trades unions themselves. and those
divisions are very largely over the question
of trades jurisdiction. The rapid changes
| that are taking place in nearly every in
dustry places workers who this year should
apparently be under the jurisdiction of one
! organization. next year appear to be equally
under the legitimate jurisdiction of another
while such conditions continue time,
coupled with forbearance and patience, it
! appears to me, are the only reasonable So
| buttons of this great question. If each and
every organization would abide from year
to year by the decisions of the convention
of the American Federation OF Labor L feel
| confident that the wisdom and the spirit
| of fairness that has always been mani
Tested by the delegates attending the con-
ventions will, IL mistakes in adjusting these
| differences are made by one convention,
without hesitation rectify them.
lon behalf OF the committee on treas
! urer's report to which body the foregoing
/ was referred, /, representing the United
Brotherhood of Carpenters, reported as fol-
! lows:
4
| urer's report, believe that the question of
| jurisdiction has nothing whatever to do
| with the official report of the treasurer yet
/ we cannot but give him credit for bringing
| such a vital issue SO prominently before
/ this convention.
1--WE cannot agree with him, however.
| that time is the all-healing salve that will
sooth the jurisdiction differences that now
| rage rampant among SO many national and
| International organizations.
AGE OF RAPID CHANGES
"'While we are living and working in an
! age of rapid changes, speedy Developments
and lghtning-like transactions, yet we
should be mindful of the fact that the
/ workers should be allowed to pursue the
| tenor of their way without dragging them
! into the jurisdictional fights and the hard
| ships that they involve.
Lines of demarkation should be laid
| down-hard and fast-where one mans
work ends and another's begins. But in no
| instance should any organization, craft.
| trade or calling be allowed to trespass on
| the rights of another.
eff the American Federation of Labor I'm
convention assembled cannot do something
to accomplish this end, then all its work
| is fruitleSS.
| ...Whfle the American Federation of Ia
Dor acts the part of "harmonizer," it has
| no authority to force contending parties to
accent its recOmmenda lions or 10 agree