The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-08-25
CONVENTION IS
NEARING CLOSE
BUTTE CENTRAL LABOR couN.
Gil URGED TO DlsBANp.
From Saturdays Daily.

- va w ~ 0AAAy l1t4N EM |t1LrL
Labor conditions in Butte and a dis
cussion Of the question of convict la
Dor consumed most of the session Of
the Montana Federation Of Labor yes
terday, the convention refusing to en-
dorse q bill for the employment Of
convicts on the construction of a state
road and passing a resolution urging
the Butte Central Labor council I'M
ions to join the Silver Bow Trades
and Labor assembly.
Immediately after the convention
was called to order and the roll call
and opening prayer by Rev. d. G.
Dunkin had been made, the report Of
the resolutions committee on the res
olution introduced by Delegate Line
larger Of Billings. which unanimous
" recommended that the legislative
committee Of the federation be in
structed to prepare a bill providing
for the construction of a state high
way across the state by the state
government with convict labor and
limiting the work of convicts to en-
ployment on such highway. which rec
commended, the resolution for passage
came up for discussion. It opened q
debate that consumed the morning SEES
sion. The report OF the committee
was championed by Thomas Gibson,
president of the United Workers,
Frank E. Lanstrum, Butte Typo.
graphical union; Organizer Murray Of
the International Cement Workers i n
Ion; William o'Brien. Building Trades
council. Butte; Mr.. Linebarger and
several others in addresses. It was
opposed by M. J.. Purcell, of the
stockett miners union; e. s. Shields,
a. Browne and y. Cahill Of the Butte
Clerks union and many others in adj
dresses. The recommendation was
defeated by 9 substantial majority.
Pieger u Endorsed.
Resolutions upon the employment
Of aliens on municipal work in the
state and the violation Of the eight
hour law on public work in Custer
county were referred to the incoming
executive committee.
A resolution endorsing John Pleger
Of Butte for the appointment Of FORE
ma Of the government bindery was
adopted unanimously.
The dispute between the Livingston
central organization and the Painters
union Of that city was referred to the
incoming executive committee imme-
diately after the noon recess.
A resolution signed by the ma
jority Of the delegates from Butte,
placing the federation on record as
requesting its affiliated locals in Butte
to join their internationals and re-
questing, It's affiliated locals in Butte
to join their internationals and re-
questing the Butte Central Labor coun-
Gil to return its charter to the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor and join the
Silver Bow Trades and Labor Council
was adopted on Recommendation of the
committee.
The resolution provoked discussion
lasting more than two hours in which
Delegate Cleaves Of the Butte Typo
graphical union; Delegate Rooney Of
the Butte Bartenders' union and a few
others fought the resolution being OPP
posed to the returning Of the A. F. Of
L. charter, but the supporters and sign
ers Of It claimed that it vas the only
thing to do II there was to be but one
central organization in Butte.
The convention adopted q resolu-
ton providing for the increase Of the
executive council from nine to eleven
members. exclusive of the president
and secretary.
A resolution was adopted declaring
that the federation raj opposed % the
granting. Of state contracts to men
living beyond the confines Of Montana
and against employing non trades UNI
ion craftsmen.