Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-11-21
COMPERS POLICY ENDORSED
American Federation Of Labor Approve
Political Campaign Of It's President
coNScRPnON OF sEAMtN CONDEMNED
One Provision of Proposed ship
Subsidy Bill IL strongly Disap-
prOved-EIEht-Hour Move
Endorsed.

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 20.--Amid scenes
of enthusiasm, the American Federation
of Labor. which is holding its annual
convention here, Endorsed the political
policy OF President Ciompers during the
last campaign and urged continuance /
of activity along independent lines
strongly condemning. however, the idea
of afaliating with any special party and
going on record as opposed to forming a
national labor party
Although the committee on the presi-
dents report, at the opening Of the after
noon session, made a favorable recon-
mendation regarding active participation
of workingmen in electing friends of labor
as legislators. It was not until Z o'clock
this evening that the delegates were
ready to go on record by casting vote
on the committees recommendation, but
when they did vote, it was practically
unanimously in favor Of its adoption.
The committees report, after reciting
that great care had been given the sub
ject." adds:
We recommend that the action taken by
the officers of. the American Federation
of Labor during the last campaign be
endorsed, and we express our approval
of the campaign carried on against the
enemies of labor with the small means
at the disposal of the officers Of the fed.
We regard with pleasure the recent
political action OF the organized working
men of the country, and by. which they
are determined to exhibit their political
power. We are in full accord therewith
throughout the country that they persist
in their efforts to organize as an inde-
pendent force.
President Gompers spoke in defense of
the stand he took in the last campaign,
reiterated hfs accusations against CON
gresham Littlefeld of Maine as an enemy
to organized labor, and pronounced
severe arraignment against tho socialist
party, which, he said, talks for every
thing and does nothing"
John Mitchell was present, but took no
part in the discussion.
| Consumption of SeameB Condemned.
Subsidized shipping, which involves the
enlistment OF. the seamen employed thereon
| as members of the naval reserve, was
roundly denounced at today's session of
| the Federation.
President Gompers touched extensively
upon this subject in his annual report
pointing out that while purporting sim
ply to provide for the voluntary enroll
ment Of seamen serving on subsidized
ships, the bill pending in congress did, in
fact, provide for the conscription of sea-
| men so enrolled in time of war The
committee on the presidents report, which
reported today. reaf1rmed this section of
President Gompers report with emphasis
Delegate Andrew Furuseth, who read
this portion of the committees report
concluded by reading: we recommend
that the American Federation of Labor
reiterate its condemnation of this bill
with its un-American provision for con-
scription."
The recommendation of the committee
was adopted. ~
This was the only spectacular feature
of the long expected report on the presi-
dents report"
Those portions of President Gompers'
iistatement which f9ferred to- the late no.
liticaI activities! 6Th'the federation and
which will undoubtedly be made the CEN
ter for discussion. II not Tor attack, have
not yet been reached.
The report OF the committee on organi-
cation, recommending in an amended form
a resolution introduced by Grand Master
Frank T. Hawley of the Switchmen's
union of North America, caused some
sharp debate. As originally drawn the
resolution charged explicitly that the
Brothephood OF Railway Trafnmen had
been trying by all means in its power TO
annihilate the switchmens organization.
When the report was read cutting out all
reference to the trainmen by name, Dele
gate Hawley used forceful language, de-
clarfhg that members OF the trainmen's
union had taken the places Of striking
switchmen with the intent of breaking
their strike and their union at once,
The stands of the International Typo
graphical union for an eight-hour day and
of the, textile workers in seeking shorter
hours and more wages were approved, and
the mo wage reduction" policy recon-
mended by President Gompers was en-
dorsed.
EiEht-Eiotr EawS Endorsed.
The convention unanimously endorsed
that portion OF the presidents report
dealing with the proposed eight-hour law
and recommended the passage of the bill
by congress. The child labor resolution,
introduced in the United States senate
for an Official investigation of the woman
and child labor situation in the United
States was approved and its passage by
congress recommended. The bill calling
for an eight-hour day for railroad labor
} was, also approved. y
The anti-injunctioh bill was endorsed
and the injunction plan scored, japanese
} Chinese, Corean and Hindu labor were
, included in a sweeping denunciation OF
Asiatic immigration ana a demand for fur
=. Their extension Of the exclusion laws,
| Slavery" was the term used to de-
] scribe the employment of Asiatic coolies
: on the Panama canal work If reads
the report, "the canal cannot be built
: except by the introduction OF involuntary
servitude. it is better that it be not built