Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-12
LABOR ENTERS POLITICS
Resolutions Adopted by State brah0H
American Federation.

The executive board OF the Vermont
stota branch of the American Fedora
tion of Labor met In Burlington sat.
urday. Dec. 80, and adopted Important
resolutions covering the field OF lapor,
Since the last convention In Barre ~
lawful unions have been affiliated WIN
the state branch and i've ehtireiyr ho"
unions have been organized inos
are "a affiliated unions, the nrs.ss,
with a membership OF about l,ouo az.
the smallest with about 30 memners
In the state. The board made plans
for a more thorough organization Oh
the wage earners of Vermont, TWO pau
organizers TO be In the field during thc
coming year, .ou,
The following resolutions were
adopted: "We the executive coiiiiii.
tee of the Vermont state branch VI
| the American Federation OF Labor ih
executive session assembled, view WIN
Measure the recent stand taken py
| the Vermont state grange on duest,ons
affecting our common interests anu ~
hereby pledge ourselves to support lhe
said organization In It's eiforts 10 se
cure the passage or the iollowiie iams'
Extension of rural mall service: re-
striction of corporations by congress,
the enactment of pure-food laws the
parcels post law: that telephones ana
telegraphs be added to the mail SER
vice: also the antitrust law ana
law for the equalization OF taxation.
I'VE hereby endorse the stand TAX.
en- by the International Typographica,
union for the eight-hour work day ana
nedge ourselves to extend moral anu
financial assistance In order 10 DriIiS
about the desired result in that craft
Furthermore should the situation ne
cessitate such action. our secretary ana
nur treasurer are hereby instructed ana
empowered to call upon all affiliated
bodies for the pro capita tax provided
for in the constitution of the state
branch.
Furthermore, the last convention OF
the state branch held In Barre. having
gone upon record as being in favor OF
questioning prospective candidates
concerning their attitude on labor
measures. the secretary is hereby IN
structed TO Immediately prepare anu
send n circular letter to the various
affiliated bodies throughout the state
asking that they submit the same 10
all who seek nomination or election to
public office in either legislative or
executive position. This letter SHAH
be strictly bipartisan and spaces
shall be provided for answer to the
following questions:
First-If elected to-will you pledge
Yourself to use your utmost endeavor
to secure the passage of weekly pay
ment bill along the lines of that pre-
scented at the last session of the YER
mont legislature?
Second-Will you take the same ac-
ton toward the passage of an employ
ers' liability act?
Third-Do you favor giving public
-. hn,, lnx
Fourth-Do you favor the creation
of a bureau of labor and board of fac
ulty instructors in order to enforce the
present child labor law. giving orga-
nized labor majority representation on
that board?
Fifth-Will you endeavor to secure
the passage of state law eliminating
convict labor in our penal institutions
whenever such work enters into COM
petition with free labor?
Sixth-Will you try to secure the
passage of state law providing for
the appointment of practical me-
chanics to act as inspectors for all
plumbing and steam fitting as safe
guard to public health? Rules for the
laying of pipe and the making of sewer
connections are to be provided for In
this BILL
A resolution calling upon the Ver-
mont congressman to oppose house bill
No. 3, which seeks to admit free of
duty cigars and tobacco made In the
Philippines. was also adopted by the
board.
The various unions in the state will
be advised of the necessity Of taking
decided action on the resolutions
adopted. In the evening an informal
reception was held. Mayor James
Burke of Burlington was the guest of
honor.