The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-11-19


Iutions Adopted-Salarics of Officers
Increased.
Norfolk. Va, November 1s.-The
American Federation OF Labor. by a
vote of I54 TO so, today refused to-
place itself on record as favoring the
government OF railways and mines,
the question having come up on n reso-
luton offered by Herbert CHAMPION
of the AmalGamzted Carpenters, TO
amend the economic platform adopted
| at Minneapolis last year so as TO in
clude railways and mines in the fav-
orable action taken at that time on
the Standardization" OF telegraph and
telephone properties.
The opponents took the ground that
government ownership of the mines and
railways would prevent all strikes. no
matter how peaccably they might be
conducted, and il the federal govern
ment was opposed to labor il might
prove its death blow. Victor l.. Berger
of Milwaukee. the soCialstiC leader,
leader, led the fight for the endorse
ment of government ownership. Dele
gate FeeIey, OF Milwaukee declared
that the way to make the government
favorable TO labor was by ballot ana
that if this was properly used men in
power, some Of whose wives now give
dog and monkey dinners at Newport
would be succeeded by others who
might conduct affairs equally as well
Another important action by the con-
$1,000 to 5000 per annubn: that OF
vention was the increasing OF the SAL
airy Of President Samuel Gompers from
Secretary Morrison from $500 TO $4,-
| 600 and of Treasurer Lennon from
$500 to $500.
Mr.. Berger was the only one TO op-
pose $4,000 salary for President Com
| pers, declaring that $4,000 was enough
| and that such "a great increase might
| injurc the cause Of labor
| The federation, with but few dis
senting votes, placed itself on record
as favoring a system Of government
postal savings banks and unanimously
| adopted an appeal by the Porto RicGn
| delegates to President .Ioosev"'t and
| congress for reforms n IEat insular
| possession with but one amendment,
accepted by the Porto Ricans, calling
for an immediate territorial form or
| government for Porto Rico.
The federation also adopted resolu-
| tons as follows:
Calling for employees injured on
| government works, naval or otherwise
| TO be paid their wages for a perioI OF
not more than six months AMI In case
of death. this TO go To dependent rel
| atives likewise.
LegalizinG OF saturday half holidays
| in July, August and September for all
persons employed on government
| works.
Urging remedial legislation for
American seamen, preventing impris-
| onment because OF refusal 70 work
| waters, etc.
| Declaring In favor OF primary cleo
tions. county municipal, state and ma
tional, and calling for the restriction
of the use OF money in elections. with
publication Of all party and campaign
expenses. rejecting provision for pay
ment Of primary election expenses by
states.
Rcjectlngn the resolution forbiddlnS
membership in local unions 10 unqual-
| ified voters but urging ali 10 fully
! qualify themselves for citizenship.
Referring To- executive council fod
! fun investigation and action request
to Interstate commerce commission
to fully hear labor officials before
| deciding the Injunction against the In
creased rates on forest products by the
Hill and Hartman railroads. and also
| the proposition TO prevent reciprocity
| between the lumter interests OF the
United states and Canada, involving
alleged clash between white AsiatiC
| labor.
TING federation adjourned unit
I ! Monday, follow ing an address on La
, / Dor Legislation in Canada" by JohT
c.. O'Donohue. OF Toronto. represent
| ing Canadian trades and labor con
, | gress.
A feature today was the appearance
= Of the British union Jack with Ameri
can colors as a compliment 10 tn'
British and Canadian delegates.
Mrs. Gompers, was not in the hal
when President Gompers salary wa
raised but waved her hands In thank
n to the delegates from the galler2 q
she entered and was informed OF IN
| action.
= A motion that President VanCleav
e of the manufacturers association, no'
W sighting President Gompers, be inform
- ed of the salary increase went ovt
Vice President O'Connell declaring th
Associated Press would In its newsps
IS pers give Mr. yanCleave this informs
L ton.
- Sundays feature viii be o great vi
"a | ginia oyster roast on the Atlant
= ocean beach front, at Cape Hem
One hundred barrels OF oysters are 4
] hand ready for the rost .