The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-10
LAYS DOM Law TO &. r. 4.
u Must Obey t:Ompers's Federation Or
Labor or Get Out.

The Central Frederated Union was told
yesterday in plain terms by James OCon-
nell, vice-preSident of the American Fedora
ton of Labor, who was sent TO New York
as the representative of President Gompers,
that there was no appeal from the ultimatum
Of the A. F. of L.. convention that the c. +. L.
reinstate within thirty days the suspended
unions affiliated with the Federation and
expel others not recognized 10y the Fedora
ton or lose It's charter.
O'Connell, after he had made his state
ment, had 20 reply TO a battery Of questions
from all parts of the house. Some of the
auestioners we're very angry, but O'Connell
kept cool, though some of the things he said
we're evidently not pleasant TO the dele
gates. One of them was that the central
body was merely a recruiting station for
organized labor and had no power to order
unions on n rike or discipline them for not
going on strike This was in reference to
the unions of stage hands and musicians
who were suspended for refusing to strike
al the Metropolitan Opera House in behalf
of the old chorus singers union
Il happened to be chairman of the grew
ance committee Of the convention which
sanctioned the ultimatum, " said OConnell.
This committee has changed its name and
is now the Cancellation committee, There
II no need for argument on the question
before this meeting. The question is not
one of the individual differences between
the unions. but the living up TO the laws
and rules of the American Federation of
Labor. This body has done something
that has endangered its existence. IL il
not the trial board in matters Of dispute
between organizations in the American
Federation Of Labor, and cannot consti-
tute itself Judge and curry in disputes be-
tween unions. Ii has no right To discipline
unions for not going on strike II the in
ternational unions in these trades decide
otherwise"
Thes whole question. he said. was a very
simple one. Was the body going 10 live
under the rules Of the American Federation
of Labor, or not? If not, then It's charter
would be Withdrawn and a new body would
be formed. He had no apology TO make
for the Federation and did not come back
to make an apology.
Gould not President Gompers Of the
American Federation Of Labor direct n
national union TO order its local TO strike
in this city," asked a delegate.
O'COnnell said Gompers couldn't, and
added:
81 belong 10 the International Association
Of Machinists and If he came to me and
told me TO order a strike, ! would tell him
10 mind his own business. That would Re
for the alton union. The American
Federation Of Labor or Mr.. Gompers could
not order a strike. but the convention could
discipline unions. The American Fedora
ton of Labor can however, grant and with
draw charters. The national unions can
settle their own trade matters and MIR.
GomperS cannot Interfere. though he might
make q recommendation"
81 give notice" said Delegate Kennedy
of the Brotherhood of Butcher Morkmen,
that rs soon as the American Federation of
| Iat or lecOInes an oppressive trust my
/ organization will get out. The only object
We can see in the Federation is to get 81
much per capita tax
do you think, said Delegate sam
Kleinman of the ~Amalgamated Walters,
that this body il bound 10 keep dancing u
any tune the American Federation Of Labor
fddles?"
O'Connell replied that the Federation
was not going to do any iddling for the
@. =. Y,