The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-29
8Ee

week labor leaders that left In
~ dianapolis more than three weeks
It3I ago to attend the Boston conven-
0S ton of the American Federation
of Labor nave returned. each looking as
though he had worked eighteen hours a
day. Thanksgiving to them was especially
pleasing. They all CAV thanks that the
convention was over. and that the next one
will not come for two years. The uniniti-
ated delegates from indianapolis were pref
~ well worn out by the convention and
expressed themselves as desiring no more
confabs for some time
Few local issues were at stake in the
Boston convention, but the ail-important
one that drew the eyes of the local labor
world went against Indianapolis. That was
the securing of the next convention of the
American Federation of Labor for Indian
apolis. Delegate Gurley left the city full
of confidence and with unlimited instruc~
lions TO secure the convention. He made
the light Of his life. fairly wore himself
out for the cause, but circumstances were
against him, and Indianapolis lost to San
Francisco. where the 1905 convention will
be held. However, the showing made by
Delegate Gurley and the other delegates
from Indianapolis was by no means a bad
one.
Out of the five cities that fought for the
convention indianapolis came second In the
vote. st. Louis Opened its arms for the con-
vention. as did Milwaukee and Chicago,
but San Francisco stretched it's arms across
the continent and seized it. When the vote
was counted San Francisco had to its
credit 5000 votes in round numbers. with
Indianapolis represented by 5000, while the
other cities fell considerably below these
numbers The miners, ii is said, voted in
a solid rank for holding the convention in
San Francisco, while the other crafts di-
vided on the issue.
WHY SAN FRANCISCO WON.
San Francisco had several things in its
favor-things Immediately within the cause.
Tt was stated that the American Fedora
zion OF Labor is weakest in the extreme
West. and that 1t Is there opposed by the
most hostile organizations. The delegates
from the West played up" this feature,
and begged that the convention come there
for the sake of the cause. OF late there
has been growing throughout the West a
rival organization known as the American
Labor Union. and this body has given the
branches of the American Federation much
trouble and opposition; therefore,, 1t was
thought that the convention would do more
good and would strengthen itself more by
holding the next convention in the camp
of it's rising enemies. Had it not been for
this one fact, delegates stated, Indianap-
oils would have won the convention.
The delegates from the three other cities
besides Indianapolis also made a hard fight
for the convention. but they did not even
run abreast with this city. Chicago, it
Was pointd OUT. did not need the conveu-
ton, because II already had enough union
ism. while st. Louis could only offer the
remains OF the worlds fair. Many argu-
ments were made for Indianapolis, and 1t
was generally the favorite next to the city
o. the Golden Gate.
"A question which bears locally upon the
American Federation of Labor, and in
which more success was attained, is that
pertaining to the president OF the State
Federation of Labor. At the latter's con-
vention several months ago. the constitution
of the organization was changed and a
provision made for remunerating the State
president with a salary of $500 a year,
ana have him devote his whole time to the
interests OF the federation throughout the
State. From the action taken at the recent
convention labor leaders believe that the
ex ecutive board of the American Federation
of Labor will indorse the measure very
shortly. In which case the present president
of the State Federation will resign his
employment and work exclusively for the
organization In the State.
THE CARPENTERS FIGHT.
The past convention. delegates say, was
one OF extreme excitement and contention
on account of the numerous juridiction ques-
tons that were fought to a finish on the
floor. One that is felt by a great many
OF the local laboring men is the decision of
the convention In regard TO the controversy
between the United Brotherhood Of Car
penters and Joiners and the Amalgamated
Woodworkers International Union. The
decision gives the latter organization all
Jurisdiction over the mill men of the two
crafts. For many years the two organiza-
tons have been contending for jurisdiction
over the wage earners. Most OF them are
enlisted under the carpenters banner, while
the remainder are members Of the Anal
eamated woodworkers. The decision will
affect the carpenters membership, it is
said. by about 5000 men-that is. providing
the decision Is carried, that number of men
will be transferred from the carpenters
union into that of the woodworkers. 1t is
thought, however, that If this is done 1t
will cause no end of confusion, as the ma
5ority cf the mill hands are DESTROYS of re-
naming In the ranks of the carpenters and
toiners, and may refuse to &c transferred.
The carpenters are not satisfied with the
decision, but IL is not known what action
they win take looking toward another set
Element OF the trouble. 1t is believed. how
ever. that they will not give up almost one
fourth their membership to the wood
workers without first making a supreme ef-
fort to keep them. The fact that this
union is In a more independent position
than many of the others. by virtue of the
fact that IL belongs to the Structural Build
ing Trades Alliance of America, opens a
course which IL could follow should all
other efforts fail. BY resigning from the
Federation. however, a fierce contention
would be started within the labor world
and IL is not believed that such action is
contemplated. although it has been sug-
gested from several sources.
A statement made by one Of the execu-
tive officers of the carpenters, who at
tended the convention Of the American
Federation OF Labor. was to the effect that