The Topeka state journal., 1908-11-16
REAL WORK BEGINS.
American Federation Of Labor Has
Completed the PreIiminaries.

Denver, Col, Nov. I6-After a
week devoted principally to the work
of organizing and deliberations in
committee rooms the 2Sth annual
convention of the American Fedora
ton of Labor resumed its sessions at
9 o'clock today. Committee reports
were the first order of business Set
tlement OF jurisdictional fights will
consume considerable time and the
election of officers viii not be reached
until late in the week.
The executive council made a sup
Elemental report at the opening of
the convention. It recommends that
further investigation be made into the
emigrants at large cities and that
conference be held in regard to it
with the representative of the Italian
government at Washington.
In regard to the dispute between
the paper hangers union and the
painters and decorators union this
council reported that no decision had
been reached.
The resolution providing for the ex-
clusion of Asiatic races was adopted
by the convention as reported by the
committee on resolutions This reso-
luton declares that the terms of the
Chinese exclusion act. should be en-
larged and extended SO as to exclude
permanently from the United States
and its insular territory all races ma
tive of Asia other than excepted by
the present terms of that act'' 1t also
directs that a copy of the resolution
be sent to congress with a request for
favorable consideration. The resolu-
tion was adopted without discussion.
A resolution demanding laws SINH
lar to those of England prohibiting
the signing as able seaman of any
person who has not had at least
was adopted. A resolution introduc-
ed by the typograp hical union cited
the extreme bitterness af the con-
test in progress for years in Akron,
Ohio
In the contest of the Werner pub
fishing company with its employees it
is recited that a private detective lost
his life, and the resolution asks that
the executive council be instructed to
investigate all the circumstances sur
rounding this tragedy and contribute
to defense fund pf two union men
who have been accused of murder. 1t
also asks the executive council to take
steps to re-organize the Akron trades
union.
The committee on resolutions
struck out practically all of the reso-
lutions excepting in regard to re-
the unions.
Max Hayes of Akron violently op-
posed the report of the committee.
He told the history of the labor trou-
BILE at Akron and said If the resolu-
tion was not adopted s'those on the
firing line in AkronsWill become great
Several other delegates spoke on
the subject a. majority supporting Del
egate Hayes.
Delegate w. D. Malone of the
street car conductors union support
ed the report of the committee claim
ing that practically the same condi-
tionS, exist in every large city of the
country as existed in Akron and in
many cases lives are endangered.
T., ozE, = i
graphical union closed the discussion
in an appeal for the adoption of the
resolution as introduced. He said that
If Mr.. Mahone knew of such cases
as he cited it was his privilege to in
troduce resolutions to remedy the
situation.
The recommendations of the COM
mittee on resolutions were voted down
and the resolution was adopted as in
troduced.
A resolution for the organization of
labor at Battle Creek, Mich, was
with out discussion.
The huddling together of workmen
in freight cars, cabooses and sheds
was condemned in a resolution adopt
ed.
The federation adopted resolutions
in favor of woman suffrage. free
school books in public schools. the
to up1ift the standard of
women workers and the abolition of
child labr.
The Massachusetts, Savings bank in
surance and old age annuity system
were adopted.
Compulsory arbitration and the
Townsend bill on that subject now
pending in congress were condemned.
On recomm endation of the execu-
tive council the convention granted a
to the operative plasterers and
seated their delegates in the conven-
ton without vote.
Mn MnT Get cTApTEn