The morning journal-courier., 1908-01-15
Connecticut Branch, in Annual Session at Bridgeport,
 Takes Public Into
 Confidence.
ADMITS NEWSPAPER MEN
State Organizer Reilly Reports Ten dency to ''Knock" Organization, and Pleads for Greater
 Co-Opcration.

Bridgeport, Jan. H-Whether or not the session of the Connecticut branch of the American Federation of Labor should be open to newspapermen was a question which precipititei a warm contest very soon after the convention met in this city to-day. After much parliamentary skirmishing it was de- cided to admit writers for the press so that fair and clear statement of the proceedings might be given the public. The convention was called to order by President Charles J. Dona- hue of Derby sAortly after Il o'clock, after much preliminary work had been done. Mayor Henry Lee was introduc- ed and he bade the delegates welcome to the city of many industries, and he spoke at some length of the present in- dustrial situation in the city. He said he believed n harmony be n labor and capital, neither could $ ,,Sd alone, and that for the 4ccess O. either or both it was essential that all disputes should be arbitrated,
 President Donahue replied to the well come, and the convention proceeded to business. The credential committee, composed of Joseph Reilly of New Ha- ven, Thomas Crosby of New Britain and j. O'Neil of Bridgeport, report al Ja1a entitled to seats
 Upon the reassembling of the after noon. session President Donahue made his annual address.
 Upon the conclusion of his address President Donahue announced the fol- lowing committees:
 Rules--H. c. Shalboy of Danbury, James T, Name of Hartford and Peter J. McIn.ire of Danbury.
 Resolutions--Jamess H. Smith of Bridgeport. Hosace D, Fallon of Beth el, Alfred c Connolly of Danbury, Stirling Edwards of Derby. Maurice Sullivan of Merden
 Constitution-Jam Singelin of South Norwalk, James P Donaghue of Wa terbury, ". c. Lyons of Bridgeport, F. c. Cap on of Darbury, Daniel A. Cor man of Derby.
 Finance Richard Dalton of Hartford, E. 0. Haughton of Bridgeport. Otto Dessechack of Danbury.
 Timothy Flanagan of Bridgeport, Gottfried Klingschmidt of Danbury. John Hnkeleman of Derby.
 Press-J. M. Griffin, James F. Temple and William Sell of Bridgeport
 Officers reports--John A. Dunn of New Haven, James McDonough of Danbury, stephen Selby of Derby.
 The report of State Organizer John Fl. Reilly reviewed the work of the year, and he said that as it was legis- lative year new organizations were not anxious to affiliate, Late in the year came the calamity howl with many people out of work. He said that while he made some headway he found that in many cities people had the hammer out for the Connecticut Federation and it's officers. Yet these same people forget that the Fedora ton of Labor is just as much their own as their local organization, and if it is not properly managed it is be- cause they do not express their opin- ions through the officers of their To- cal unions.' He made a plea for greater cooperation from the Central Labor unions of the several cities, and suggested that the state organizer should be in touch with the local nnoins each day when he is doing work in given locality.
 The financial report showed receipts for the year of S2.545 and expenditures of $2,217, and of the latter quite a sum was expended by the legislative agent President Donahue.
 The secretary in his report said that at a meeting of the executive commit- tee President Donahue showed check which had been endorsed and paid through a New York bank It was en- dorsed by | Henry Hogan, treasurer and was payable to Patrick Carroll for | the amount of s10.
 This check had been solicited from 3 member of the legislative. President Donahue gave the check to the prose- cutting attorney at Hartford who said that the men complained of would i have to be presented before any action could be taken. This check the re- port stated was solicited by men who | had no connection whatsoever with the Federation, and was one of many ! checks so solicited from members of | the General Assembly. The convention then adjourned until tomorrow.