The San Francisco call., 1908-10-08
LABOR FEDERATION
FOLLOWS GOMPFRS
Convention Condemns Court,
Congress and Republicans and
Urges United Action
Many Delegates Object to Pro-
gram and Demand of Sup-
port for Democrats
SrEcIAL DISPATCH 10 THE CALL

SPECIAL DISPATCH To TIE CALI.
SAN JOSE. Oct. Resolutions con-
demning tae United States supreme
court FOR applying the sherman anti
irust act to trades and labor unions:
criticisinS congress FOR declining TO
amend the act: arraigning the repub-
lican party for rejecting GOmpers' anti
injunction plank calling upon laboring
men TO vote the democratic ticket and
indorsing the political policy of its
parent body. the American federation
~ labor. We're adopted at the conven-
ti0n Of the California state federation
~ labor today.
Delegates from several Of the labor
unions throughout the state arose in
vigorous protest TO the resolutions Of
fered in condemnation of the republi-
can party, the supreme court and con-
gress but the program as arranged
hy the leaders OF the convention was
carried and the proposals OF the minor
ny were Overwhelmingly defeated.
Tie real excitement of the day be-
gan when a resolution was introduced
N the morning session to indOrse the
action Of Samuel Gompers Of the Amer
fcau federation Of labor in political
matters. thereby. as some Of the dele
gates declared. to force the federation
20 indorse the democratic party.
AGAINST AMENDMENT no.
The convention went on record as
gainst the proposed senate constitu-
lional amendment No. 1, relative 10 the
taxing Of corporations.
A bin providing for the enactment of
a law 10 regulate thes employment and
Bours Of labor Of children. prohibiting
the employment OF illiterate minors.
providing for the enforcement thereof
bv the commissioner and the bureau
" labor statistics and providing for
penalties was adopted.
The federation adopted resolution
indorsing the work Of the anti-Japan-
csc laundry league and decided to give
every possible assistance TO the league
in carrying out its policies.
REPORT On POLITICS
The report Of the committee on reso-
buttons which was offered by 4. NJ.
Thompson OF the Oakland union of
teamsters. with a favorable recon-
uendation by the aiority Of the COM
liittee. was the cause Of considerable
auzzing ali over the convention hall
and the cry. here comes politics.. The
-cport follows:
Hinth convention assembled, uneQuivocally in
ilorses the political policy Of its parent body
the American federation Of labor.
The California state federation Of labor de-
s-res 10 direct the attention of the working
men and women Of this state TO the following
facts:
States supreme court the sherman antitrust
lsw has been made 10 apply 10 trades and labor
unjens, that the sherman antitrust law 50 in
tcrprcted makes it possible for an employer who
claims 10 be financially injured result Of
a controversy with trade union 10 bring suit
against said union and recover treble the dam
ages be may alege 10 have suffered II the
treasury Of the union Is not sufficient 20 pay
iir aWsr6 suit msy be brought against each
i every individual member
Ihat the laboring people are now. and have
lice Ut 81
ly jury by the action OF federal judges in issu-
ing injunctions in labor disputes. At the pres
ent time the honored president Of the American
federation Of labor. Samuel Gompers. the secre-
farE Frank Morrison. and Vice Pres dent John
Mitchell ia danger of being imprisoned as a
result If sn alleged violation Of mandate issued
hr federal Judge
That the present congress has not only re-
fused 10 sdopt legislation remedying these IN
justices TO the working people. but has openly
insuited the duly accredited representatives OF
Thst The national convention OF the republi-
cen party refused TO insert plank IN its plat
form prom Using labor relief from the injunction
sbuses and the provisions OF the Sherman anti
trust law
That the national convention Of the demo-
cratic party did insert the panks requested by
The American federation Of labor.
Iu view ~ these facts. the California state
federation Of labor earnestly requests the work
Ing people n this state 10 use every honorable
means TO defeat its enemies and reward its
friends
Immediately following the reading of
The report Thomas Wright Of the typo
graphical union OF Sacramento stated
that his union had instructed him to
oppose the adoption Of section three
aud that he should not sanction the
bringing Of politics into the convention.
Delegate Scharrenberg arose in defense
~ the report. and stated that ii was
not politics but a simple matter Of pro-
lection that would prompt the conven-
tion TO adopt all the resolutions that
were just read.
SOCIALIST IN OPPOSITION
Delegate Cornelius, in an impas-
stoned speech. said he thought the time
had come when organized labor must
asert itself and that IL could then OBJ
tain the relief II needed from either of
the old parties.
Andrew J. Saunders Of bakers union
declared that as a member Of the
socialist party he could not support the
resolution that indOrsed the democratic
party and asked to be recorded as op-
posed 10 its language.
+. Schwarting, also Of the bakers
union. spoke against the resolution
- and said that Samuel Gompers several
years ago warned the labor organiza-
fions connected with the American fed
Grafton Of labor 10 keep out OF politics
and now he had declared himself in
favor Of one party and wanted them
10 follow.
Others who spoke were Delegates
VIII j. French. J. 7. chaudet, A. NJ.
Thompson and J.. b. Levitt.
Just before recess Delegate SchWart-
ing demanded q roll call.
Representatives Of the Equal Suff-
rage league viii today ask the con-
ventiou 10 declare itself again in favor
of equal suffrage. The election for