Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-06-04
MAINE FEDERATION OF LABOR.
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man. 1t did look little as though Mr..
Reed wanted it to be understood that
the American Federation of Labor had
driven Mr. Littlefield out of Congress.
Mr.. Reed didn't spare the feelings of
his co-workers in the cause of labor
when he said:
You have been union men 3ti days
in the year but on the 365 You have
been scabs when you have cast your
ballot for the very men who oppose
as"
The Chicago man forgot all about
what he called our nine montlisia of WIN
ter and began to perspire in his efforts
to arraign the average politician and
enemy to organized labor. He pointed
out the usual lurid picture of Labor
struggling in the grasp of the old
time octopus but declared thar all the
while the laboriIg man who is denti-
fled with union is fast getting to the
top Mr.. Reed appears to delight in the
boast that he participated in the last
State political campaign in Maine. He
closed IN an earnest appeal to loyalty.
The entertainment committee Of the
convention announced that the COM
mittec had arranged for Il ball in Elks'
hall and that delegates wearing the
convention badge would be entertained
without cost. The session this fore
noon will be devoted to the adoption of
new resolutions and the election of Of
ficerS.
The following resolutions were
adopted:
Whereas in some sections Of Maine
some manufacturers are in various ways
dlSpt nSlnS with the services of the most
active union workers and, as we believe,
instruciins the superintendents and fore
men to refuse to arbitrate grievances
which arise, and in a general way trying
to evade allowing their employees their
rights: therefore be it resolved, that We,
officers and delegates Of the State
Branch Of the American Federation CT
Labor. do hereby instruct our incoming
executive board to use every legal, fair
and honorable means to provide some
means OF protection to active union
workers who are thrown and kept out of
employment by manufacturers hostile to
the organized labor movement:
Whereas it is generally admitted by
thinking men who have made Il study of
| economic and industrial questions that
where the hours of labor are the shortest,
wages are the highest and civilization
has its standard advanced; while where
hours Of labor are longest. wages are the
lowest and the greatest of human misery
is TO be found; Therefore, We should
spare no effort to reduce the hours of Ia
huI fol women and minors in our State
hat it may elevate them socially, NOR
ally. physically and mentally. Therefore
lie ii resolved, that we, delegates of the
State Branch of the American Federation
OF Labor do hereby ask and demand that
the Legislature of this State pass law
making IS hours each week The limit of
lator for wC:len and miners in factories
Be it resolved that all affiliated unions
here represented do all in their power to
further the exclusive use of union Label
paper.
Whereas many efforts have been made
i'll past years to abolish child labor, most
unjust of all crimes against humanity.
and whereas many broad-minded, liberal
and earnest members of society outside
of the labor movement had and are still
giving much time and valuable assistance
towards restraining this inhuman system.
and whereas much success has attended
t he efforts of all who are interested in
the abolition OF child labor, there is yet
much to be done and we must not cease
in our agitation until we have positively
and definitely brought about its destruc-
ton: therefore be it resolved, that We
continue this great and noble work until
| the degrading and diseraceful system Of
| child slavery is entirely eliminated and
| buried in oblivion tor all time; and be it
| further resolved that the exemption
clause as to industries dealing With per-
| lSl'Dt SOOuS DE dDoIlSIcu.
Whereas the passage OF laws by the
National Congress to establish a parcels
post would bestow bensfi upon the
many and tend to curb the powers now
| exercised by a monopoly in the carrying
business at excessive tolls. and whereas
[ he enactment of a law by Congress to
| establish postal savings banks would
promote thrift and ensure a degree of
prosperity not now possible under pres
ent banking conditions, resolved that the
Maine state Federation of Labor in con-
vention assembled expresses on behalf of
organized labor demand that such ma
tiOnal legislation is necessary and that a
passive attitude toward such legislation
on the part of the Maine delegation i'm
Congress- Is inimical to the public welfare.
Whereas the Ci4aimalerS International
Union of America is being antagonized by
the American Tobacco Company the to-
hacco trust in that ii is endeavoring to
manufacture cigars by unskilled and
hi,d labor. and whereas it is constantly
cnde ivoring to reduce the wages of its
employees and enforce unsanitary cOnd-
tions into its factories in order to produce
more revenue for itself to the 'lctrimont
Of society. ana whereas the Cigarmakers
international Union of America has al
ways maintained that WOrkmen should
be sufficiently r"munerated so that its
members might become valuable citizens
in the community in which they live.
therefore he it resolved by tho Main"
State Federation of Labor. in convention
| assembled. that it hereby heartily en-
dorscs the product of the Cigarm& kerS
international Union and pledges the I'M
qualified support of its members to pur
chase such cigars rs bear the blue label
of the Cigarmakers International Union
of America.