The Indianapolis journal., 1903-08-15
SOCIALISTS FIGHT HARD
THEY STIR UP TROUBLE IN GAR
MENT WORKERS. CONVENTION.
Organization Puts It's Foot Down ON
Proposition to Inject Politics Into
Labor Matters-RcsOlutiOns

Another effort was made yesterday by the
United Garment Workers of America to
reverse the policy of the organization in
regard to politics. A resolution was pro-
posed few minutes after the convention
got down to business to strike out that Sec
tion of the constitution which bars the
introduction of political issues In the or
ganization and thereby open a way for the
support of the United Garment Workers
towards the Socialist party. The question
was put to vote and defeated by large
majority. The Socialists took their de-
cisive defeat good-naturedly and said they
would always abide by the majority vote
of the convention. A greater part of the
morning was taken up by the discussion
of politics. and aside from that only a few
committees were able to report before the
noon adjournment, resolution which
reconciled the Socialists more or less was
introduced by Henry White and adopted.
Ii urged upon the members of the conven-
tion the Importance of studying the po-
litcal questions affecting their interests
with view of so directing their voting
power as to advance their cause.
The action taken yesterday in regard to
the political issue means that the United
Garment Workers have taken their stand
with Samuel Gompers, president of the
Federation of Labor, who is rigidly op-
posed to the Socialists regime and does not
favor the introduction of politics into the
labor movement A majority of the So
cialistic delegates are from New York, and
1T is said that at the next convention of
the American Federation of Labor. which
will be held in Boston, the Socialist party
of the organization will attempt to commit
the body to their party.
NO UNIVERSAL LABEL.
In the afternoon the report of the officers
was read and their recommendations of all
the resolutions under their jurisdiction
were adopted with one exception-that of
adopting a universal label. AS it is, at
present each branch of the organization has
a separate label. 1t was stated that the
label of each branch, the tailors, the cut
ters and the overall makers, represented the
general body and in case a universal label
was adopted there would be no means of
distinguishing the three branches of the
trade.
The recommendation of the president and
the secretary, providing the placing of a
national organizer in the field and the es-
tablishment OF an office in Chicago which
should be under the jurisdiction of the
president. was accepted The resolution
also provided for the placing of a per-
manent official in the office at Chicago and
that he should be appointed by the exec
utive board.
"A
viding that the official organ of the union
THE Garment Worker be published
| weekly.
An important resolution of the secretary
| report referred to the addition of the Spe-
| cial Order Clothing Makers to, the ranks
of the United Garment Workers, thereby
assuring the continued jurisdiction of that
body. The report suggested that the great
| est care must be taken in the redivisiou
| of the special order trade and il was recon-
mended that the representative i'm the
| Western office study the conditions and
| make such recommendations to the q. f.
B. as he finds necessary.
OTHER RESOLUTIONS.
The report advised that the arbitrary
| action of the journeymen tailors in USING
| their influence in central bodies to boycott
| and place on the unfair list firms using the
garment workers label should be brought
| to the attention of the executive council
of the American Federation of Labor. The
recommendation of the secretary on the
establishment of uniform system of work
in the tailoring branch of the trade was also
adopted.
The resolution to hold biennial conven.
/ tions was defeated. 1t was stated tha,
present conditions make ii necessary n
hold the convention annually.
| The most important resolution of the daN
adopted was relative TO the benefit fund II
was decided that death benefit be estab
4 llSHtu diiu ttdt IL pt OH a ndIlOnd
| and not local basis. The executive boarC
was instructed 10 investigate the plans o
| other organizations which have a deatl
benefit system and recommend the mos
| feasible plan at the next convention
| Although to-day will be a very busy da,
| for the convention. Secretary White saie
| that they hoped ito finish up and adjourn
! tonight. The election of officers will oc
| cupy the greatest attention at to-day,
| session. If there is any opposition to tn,
| present board 1t has not as yet formed int,
/ a definite party. and the general opinion Il
| that the present officers will be reelected
| Miss Lillian Fredericks. president of IN,
| local union of this city. was presented will
/ "A diamond ring at the afternoon session
! yesterday. The gift was from the tailorin.
| branch of the organization. Miss Fredericl
i Is the most prominent and popular woman
worker of the United Garment Workers
convention.