Evening star., 1908-01-21
BEFORE LABOR FEDERATION
BUSINESS TRANSACTED By
EXECUTIVE BOARD TODAY.
Plan of "old Age Pensions Consid-
ered--Charges Against Secret
Detective Agencies.


A number of matters of importance to
organized labor we're transacted by the
executive council of the American Fedora
ton of Labor at toda-'s session. Those
in attendance were: President Samuel
Gompers, Washington. D. c.; First Vice
President James Duncan, Quincy Mass. ::
Washington. D. c.: Fourth Vice Presi-
dent Max Morris. Denver. Col: Fifth Vice
President D. A. Hayes. Philadelphia, Pa. !:
Sixth Vice President Daniel J. keefe, De-
troit. Mich: Seventh Vice President VIII
liam D. Huber. Indianapolis. Ind: Eighth
Vice President Joseph F. Valentine, Gin
cinnati. Ohio. Secretary Frank Morrison,
Washington. D. c.. and Treasurer John
3. Lennon, Bloomington, Ill.
The council decided to request the Of
fcials of all international unions having
Official journals to send copies to the or
ganizers of the American Federation Of
Labor In Porto Rico. Cuba and other
Sontl American countries. and to have the
publications translated into the Spanish
language, I'm order to bring about a more
thorough affliation with the American
Federation of Labor in the labor move
ment.
President Gompers Vice President Nc
Connell and Secretary Frank Morrison Of
the federation were appointed commit
tee to make an investigation relative to a
plan of old age pensions and report their
findings to the next meeting of the execu-
tive council.
motion was adopted requesting Presi-
dent Gompers to discuss through the COL
ilmns OF the Federationist the numerous
secret detective agencies and their al
legged employment by employers associa-
tions for the purpose of creating contests
between workingmen and their employ
ers.' 1t was added that ''many Of the
agents of these detective companies are
armed thugs. carrying on a system of
lawlessness with the view of casting
odium upon organizations of labor.
A committee of the council consisting
OF President Gompers and two other men,
bers will proceed to New York after Feb
ruary 10, and assist in Strengthening out
any differences that may exist there
among organized labor. Also to adopt
plans for the better organization of the
unorganized of that city.
Industrial Education.
A motion was adopted that the subject
matter of Industrial education he re-
ferred to President Gompers, who will
report upon industrial schools and in
dustrial education and the higher tech
nique. The legislative committee was
instructed to make every effort to secure
the enactment into law of rule 9, sec
ton g. Of the steamboat inspection serv-
Ice. 1t was also decided that the SUBJ
ject of child labor should be referred to
the legislative committee and the city
circles and other like bodies in order that
1t may receive consideration from all the
legislative bodies in the United States.
The executive council directed that
with the various farmers organizations
in this country with the view of estab-
fishing better ffaternal relations and
that each may be Of assistance to the
other to further the interests of BOTH
committee of employees of the Boston
and Portsmouth navy yards appeared be-
fore the council for the purpose of urging
more thorough organization OF the work
men employed In navy yards. The COM
mittee asked the council to indorse the
league of government employees in vari-
GUS establishments. After some discus
sion resolution was adopted recitfng
that every effort be made to organize the
employees OF the navy yards, naval sta
tions. arsenais and gun factories.
THAT the officers of international unions
be urged to act Jointly with the view Of
protecting and furthering the interests Of
the above-named employees. and that as
far as concerns such employees which
have no international unions the president
Of the American Federation of Labor
shall act jointly with the International Of
fcers referred to.
"That the national officers above refer
red to encourage the formation OF local
councils of the various branches Of labor
in the navy yards. naval stations. ar
senals and gun factories.
National League Disapproved.
"That the formation or maintenance Of
q national league Of employees Of navy
yards, naval stations, arsenals and gun
factories is unnecessary, unwarranted and
would prove hurtful to the workmen en-
ployed in these establishments: that such
an organization Is dual in fact and juris-
diction and authority to the international
unions and the American Federation OF
Labor, which are fostering and further
ther. the interests of the employees in these
establishments.
That a copy Of these resolutions be
forwarded to George L. Cain with the re-
quest that he and his associates conform
thereto, and that all may conform to q
broad spirit OF true trade unionism. and
that the interests Of the employees involved
may be the better safeguarded."
Woman Organizer Selected.
The decision was reached to appoint a
woman organizer Of the American Fedora
ton of Labor, and Miss Annie Fitx-
gerald OF Chicago was selected for the
place An application for charter from
fire insurance agents was declined. as, 1t
was stated, their affiliation with the
American Federation OF Labor would not
be advantageous to the labor movement" :"
Employees of several city governments ap-
piled for permission to form a national
union. Referred to President Gompers.
Steps were taken to amalgGmate the
various organizations Of the photographic
trade. Organizations in several sections
of the country were warned not to SUBJ
NIT to any reduction Of their wage scales.
The legislative committee was directed
to endeayor to secure the enactment Of
laws for the proper regulation of con-
Wet labor by Congress and the state legis-
latures. Also providing for interstate pro-
lection against convict labor and its
products.
A recess was taken at 1915 this after
noon to o'clock.