The San Francisco call., 1908-11-22
Building Trades First

kee, !.
Building Trades First
Building trades disputes were the
first matters taken up in the convention
today. The committee on building
trades. TO which all the resolutions re-
lating to this subject were referred.
reported, and in each case recommend
ed that these disputes be referred to
the convention of the national buildings
trades council, which is affiliated with
tic federation, for adjustment. This
convention wiH be held in Denver next
week
A resolution was agreed to instruct
ing the secretary of the convention to
write to the officers of the Modern
WOodmen asking them to employ union
instead OF nOnuniOn men in the con-
struction Of their home at Colorado
Springs.
AT the close Of the report of the com
mittee on building trades Vice Presi-
dent James Duncan moved that. mas
much as the charter issued to the
building trades council gave it no per-
mission to issue state charters. the
council be instructed to live up TO its
charter. This was carried after con-
siderable discussion by a vote Of 81 to
A.
At this point Daniel J. Keefe of the
longshOremen arose TO announce the
withdrawal Of his candidacy for re-
election TO the executive council, giving
his reasons for this action.
DISsENTs WITH PRESIDENT
Keefe stated he had within the last
"a hours annoNnced his intention not to
be member Of the executive council.
owing TO the recommendation of the
committee on presidents report. He
said he had voted the republican ticket
for 55 years and would continue to do
so until his conscience dictated other
wise.
The relations between President
Gompers, the executive council and my
self" he said, are as amicable as ever.
We agree on the economic movement
and viii work together to advance the
movement. If at any time I can be of
service TO the president or the execu-
tive councillor any organization in this
convention my services viii be forth
At 10:45 James NJ Lynch Of the typo
graphical union was called to the chair
and the nominations for president
called for. President Gompers was
placed in nomination to succeed him
self by Delegate John P. Fry of the
mOiders union.
Gompers was reelected with only
one dissenting vote. Charles Jeski of
Milwaukee, representing the Wiscon-
sin state federation Of labor and a So
cialis5 insisted that his vote should be
registered against Gompers.
GOMPERs MAKES SPEECH
President Gompers thanked the con
vention in a brief speech. saying in
part:
our movement IS reflected by the
must take the consequences of the
actions Of the more uninformed OF our
fellows.
In the coming year 7 shall endeavor
TO Go all can for the labor movement.
81 your vote you have directed me to
70 to other countries shall endeavor
10 carry out your Instructions in this
respect. but / am not quite sure the
courts VIII permit me In conclusion.
7 wish to say I am deeply grateful for
the vote of confidence. In the labor
movement I live, and ! win live to
serve IT,
James Duncan Of the granite work
ers was reelected first vice president
without opposition
To the nomination OF John B. Mitch
ell for second vice president, A. B.
Grant metal polishers. Of Cincinnati. a
socialist, objected on tlfe ground that
Mitchell is a member OF the civic fed
ElallDL-
President Gompers ruled that any
member of the federation in good
standing was eligible to election to
amy office in the federation. Mitchell
then was elected by acclamation.
OTHERS WIN EASILY
no objections were made to the nomi-
nations FLAMES O7Conneu, third vice
president; Max Morris. fourth vice pres
ident. D. A. HAYES. fifth vice PRESIDENT. :.
William ID. Huber. sixth vice president.
and Joseph Valentine. seventh vice
president. All these officers were re-
elected, the last two being promoted
one number in the list of vice presi-
dents.
For eighth vice president. William
j. Mahon. president Of the ANAL gamafed
association Of street railway employees
OF America. and John r. Alpine, pres
ident OF the national plumbers union