Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-01-14
REPORTERS IN
Biz Row al. Federation of Labor Convention Over Admitting
 Newspaper Men
DONAHUE IN THE CHAIR

Bridgeport, Jan 14.-Whether or
 not the session of the Connecticut
 branch of the Federation of Labor
 should be open to newspaper men
 was question which precipitated a
 warm debate, very soon after the convention met here to-day. After
 much preliminary skirmishing it was | decided to admit the Wri/ers for the
 press so that a fair and clear state
 ment might be given the public. | The convention was called to order l at II o'clock by President Donahue
 of Derby, with eighty delegates ples- | ent. Mayor Lee of Bridgeport de- livered the address of welcome.
 President Donahue in beginning his review of the year said that the
 organization has advanced greatly in public esteem. Existing relations
 with employers have been harmoni-
 ous and pleasant and this condition, it is sincerely hoped, will continue. That there has been no concerted ac-
 tion to reduce wages during the in-
 dustrial crisis speaks volumes for the influence of the organization. He
 said that the wisdom of the atti- tude of labor in resisting wage reduc- tions in times of former depression
 is now conceded to be sound. Such
 reductions only tend to accentuate
 and not relieve distressing conditions.
 "a
 cases have been taken to the United
 States court of appeals. and this court certified them to the supreme caurt before which they were argued
 and a decision is not yet rendered.
 The decision involves many phases of the right of boycott, also labor's s rights under the Sherman antitrust act.
 President Donahuo called atten- ton to the continuance of a set of men, preying upon merchants and business men through advertising schemes. The federation has fndea- vored to prosecute, but as rule the persons who have been swindled do not care to appear in court against the men complained of. Every pos sible effort must be made to drive these fake solicitors from the state.
 Officers of the body have been i'm pressed with the efforts of public spirited citizens to check the ravages of consumption, and they believe it to be the plain duty of local organiza- tions, as well as state, to cooperate with the various associations having for their object the protection of the people from the ravages of the ''w-.te plague" President Donahue deplor- ed the practice, which he termed con temptible, of organizations which after sending delegate to the state con- vention and paying the per capita tax, withdrew through some fancied griev- ances. He advocated q constitutional amendment to the effect that no dele gate shall be eligible for office unless he is a member in good standing of an organization which has been in the federation for at least q year.
 Regarding legislation President Donahue said that no representative of labor has ever been treated more courteously or received greater con sideration than himself as the agent of the federation at the last session. The treatment was in marked con- trast to that accorded the labor agent in some former general assemblies. After three successive failures, law providing for the registration of buttons, insignia. etc, was passed The legislative committee. co-operated in securing the passage of woman deputy factory inpector law. The ~iv- ing an eight hour day for telegraph operators and train dispatchers, vali- dating act concerned labels and trade marks of labor unions, an act for the protection of workmen employed on buildings, an act concerning the es- tablishment of free trade schools for instruction in the principles and prac- tices of trades, were referred to by President Donahue as indicating the trend of legislation.
 The opposition to the trades school bill on the part of labor's representa- tives was based on the belief that great burden would be imposed upon the state, and that q boy cannot Be taught a trade in these schools. The advocates of the trade school urged that 1t would tend to give manufac- turers better help and they also allege that trade unions by restricting ap- laws do not supply the normal demand for skilled men.
 If the policy of the greatest good to the greatest number shall prevail 1t does not appear that Connecticut has any crying need for trade schools. If the principle that the state shall maitain these schools Is a current one. 1t should be carried tO its logical end. that is. construct. maintain and equip schools wherein the higher professions may be taught. as law. medicine. surgery. theology. in fact. 1 any profession of calling. Free schools for the Connecticut hoy tO simply choose his calling. and the l state will do the rest Why should I the schools be restricted to a few | tradesT
 President Domaine referred to the | employers liability act whIch prsl- vitied for a committee of inquiry. on I which the federation fs represented 1 by its president He said that 10 biIi l for a law could ise presenfesi at the last session No state fu the union I has a satisfactory eulplayeTs IiahiI- | fy law. with the ppssiIsIe exespfi0a sf ColorasIo. where the fellow servant I ruIe has been uulffei hy state. Under present conlIitions tllis could I sot b-e accomplished fn this stzte
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