Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-08
IN LABOR CIRCLES
c.


With the twenty-fifth annual convention
of the American Federation of Labor but
five days off general interest in the labor
world is directed toward that coming event
This meeting. which has been designated as
The Silver Jubilee Convention will as
semble at Pittsburg, Pa, next Monday
morning.
Mr.. Frank Morrison the secretary of the
Federation, when seen today by a Star
reporter, said he will leave Washington for
the convention city Friday evening and
will attend the sessions of the executive
courcil which will begin Saturday evening.
Mr.. Samuel Gompers, president of the Fed
Grafton, will probably leave here for Pitts
burg early Saturday morning.
The Pittsburg arrangements committee
announces that the latest arrangement is
for big banquet to the 600 visiting dele
gates from all parts of the United states
to which labor leaders of organiZa tons
within the federatio and also those unions
which not affiliated with the body VIII
be invited
Thus far it is said, no opposition to the
reelection of Mr.. Samuel Gompers as pres
ident has developed. Previous to the las.
three conventions James Duncan, first vice
president of the federation. and general
secretary of the Granite Cutters lnterna-
tional Association, was candidate for the
place He is not in the field this year, but
1t Is probable the socialists will put up
candidate, as has been their custom iof
several years.
1t is also said there is likely to be some
Important changes in the executive coul-
Gil While it is not definitely determined
yet it is very probable that Ihomas l.
Kidd will not be candidate for re-electlon
as fifth vice president. Friends of W. D.
Mahon president of the Amalgamated AS
,trin RDi txxraN
L,mployes. are urging his candidacy for the
expected vacancy. Mahon has for some
time been anxious to go to Great britdHi
Us a fraternal delegate. he Will not De
Mated as he will go to Europe shortly as
one of the experts of the National civic
Federation, to study municipal oWhersi'p
of street railways. This will afford MIN on
opportunity to study the trace Union INV
ment at the same time -,
Another talked-of change is in connection
with the office of eighth vice president Inc
nosition is now filled by w. j. Spencer OF
tJca Irnftad States Association of Plumbers.
There is said to be a good deal OF Oppose
ton to Spencer, and probably anothef
building trades representative VIII pe Sc
lected for the place. Frank D9ity, genera RAJ
secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters
opd Joiners is mentioned, s Is ). I. Bahl-
horn general president of the Brotherhoou
of Painters Decorators ana PaperhahSeIs.
Frank Morrison has no opposition 10, aHI t tne
eight wears, and there will be no opposltlon
to John B. Lennon for treasurer II he de-
sireS reelection.
,,,,es,ng the recent appointment of
new nublic printer the Trades Unlohist
nerhaps voices the sentiment ol tiic Moi
inemen of Washington, ana particularly inc
nrinters when it says: ..u,
..In the snnointment of Charles A still
,ngs Of BOSTON Mass, to the posltiton OF
miblic printer the President mas executeu
another one or the SURPRISES h' Aee "
store for his people. ,..
branches of Congress We're consioereu as
Of weight the appointment 10 MI lHe Piace
vacated by Mr.. Palmer would nave peen
fIled permanently by the man chosen TO
act in that capacity as acting pubic print
or hut the President has again shown ms
independence by selecting man OF his
own choice. ,.
won't NJ a public printer in recent years
has usually been from the STANDPOINT OF
friendliness to trade unions, but In the
present appointment 1t is more S or iess
nroblematical what course Mr. Stilllngs
,yiII pursue He has been associated with
the employing printers and possibly may
have tmbibed open shop ideas through as
ISOLATION. But the influence Oh oisa a., tta
government printing once Will not pe d.
lowed to die out.
+ha nronositfon requesting the pastors OF
the different religious denominations IN
enc district of Columbia to deliver on
certain Sunday sermons bearing on the Ia
Dor movement
They also contemplate within a snort
+in,e taking active steps to increase the de-
nand for union made products by Undue
ing the union workmen and their friends
TO purchase only the goods bearing the
union label.
A western labor writer says the strike OF
the International Typographical Union for
on eight-hour workday is the most I'M
nortant contest in the labor world of
America today. Not the least important
Feature of that contest is the attitude OF
the great Methodist Church:
I'VE hear today" says the writer, "a
great deal Of talk Of the workingman drift
ing away from the church. Well meaning
hut Outlines poorly informed preachers
take up the theme and deplore what they
consider a sad condition. They do not real
lie that 1t is probably the church that is
drifting away from the workingman.
cat a recent gathering of minister's of the
Methodist Church at Freeport. ILL.,, tho
strike of the printers was condemned be-
cause of the demand for union shop
Probably few of the preachers who took
that action have given the subject study,
and they were led away by the high sound
Ing. seemingly plausible arguments Of en-
ployers