The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-11-21
PETERS GET CHARTER
BEAT PLUMBERS IN PITTSBURG
 CONVENTION.
Committee on Boycott Renders Re- port, and 1t is Remarked the "Unfair' List is on the
 Increase.

Pittsburg. Nov. 20.-After wordy
 battle lasting five hours on the floor
 of the convention of the American
 Federation of Labor today, the Inter-
 national Association of Steam Filters,
 composed of members of that trade
 exclusively, was practically voted q
 charter by the Federation, independent
 of the plumbers union, which Tor the
 past three years has fought bitterly
 every effort to this end. The vote was
 nearly two to one n favor of granting
 the charter, and while it merely ap-
 proved the recommendation of the
 Committee on Resolutions that the Ex- ecutive Council issue a charter to this organization, it Is believed the Coun- ell will not go against the opinion Of the convention as a whole.
 The difficulties arose some years ago between the steam filters and the plumbers. The former were in the majority, but they had to work under the plumbers union. The steam filters finally withdrew and formed a national body and appealed to the Federation for a charter. The annual conventions at San Francisco and Chicago both re- fused to grant the charter.
 Another Jurisdiction Fight. Another jurisdiction fight was settled today when the car painters were or
 dered to join the painters. paper hang CTS and decorators.
 The Committee on Boycott completed it's report at the opening of the after noon session. After a number of con-
 cerns had been added to the unfair iist'
 the remark was made that the list IS increasing each year.
 The steam filters dispute came up
 when President Gompers gave hfs de- cision on a point of order raised Dy John Mitchell at the morning session
 Section 1 of Article 12 of the constitu- ton was quoted, which provides that the President, with the consent Of the Executive Council, had the right to issue charters and ruled that the point of MT. Mitchell was well taken. This ruIinr bars the National Association of steam Filters from admission to the
 Federation.
 Delegate Lee M Hart moved that the
 convention instruct the Executive Council to issue charter to the steam filters.
 John Mitchell again rose with point
 of order, declaring that under the con stitution no charter shall be issued to
 a union that conflicts with another or
 ganization. The chair decided that the
 point was well taken.
 p I. McCullen of St Louis appealed from the decision, which was sustained
 by a vote of 11S to 50.
 Delegate Charles Dold moved that
 the convention recommend that the ex- ecutive council grant a charter to the
 steam filters.
 Lively Discussion Caused. lively discussion followed and
 some strong arguments were brought
 out in favor of granting charter to
 the steam filters. Delegate Dold said the convention had no right to exclude
 legitimate labor organizations on technicality.
 Joseph F. Connolly of New York said the steam filters in that city had gained
 in strength and brought wages up to
 the proper standard. while the organ ization of plumbers had been practical
 ly disrupted.
 A dozen speeches favoring the steam filters were delivered by delegates and John Morgan of the steam filters was granted the right to address the con- Vention in behalf of his organization. His argument was q convincing one and despite the efforts of J. Spencer and
 John R. Alpine of the plumbers. who fought hard, the sentiment of the con- vention favored the steam filters. As there were no signs of the debate closing the previous question was moved. The vote apeared so close by voice that roll call. the first of the convention, was demanded. It result ed: Yeas, 9.309; nays. 4,991. The con vention then adjourned for the day with the. steam filters practically vic- torious.