Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-20


that to the promfscuous vote-selling
among union men the many failures OF
labor representatives in their efforts to
procure satisfactory laws before state
legislatures was due. The assertion was
made that labor could not take care Of
itself properly until there was a definitely
organized labor party Independent of the
two big parties OF the country.
Corrupt Methods Alleged.
THE state legislature in my state are
elected to their Offices by the most corrupt
methods imaginable" declared Delegate
Thomas Morgan of Paterson, n. ]. They
purchase their jobs. to be perfectly franx
with you, and when they once get what
they're after in the political line they
consider 1t belongs to them only. and turn
a deaf ear to all appeals from laboring
men for legislation which might better
labor conditions.
What should be done-what we Of the
textile workers should dds to absolutely
and positively refuse to work longer than
eight hours day. We should incorporate
it in our constitution and bylaws and
stand by our determination. We'd then
get what We ask for. Other unions have
secured it. and We should be able to &C.
complish as much as other men have.
It's for us to say we won't work over
eight hours a day. When we DO that I'll
venture the opinion the legislatures will
then pass the laws they refuse to give
us now. Let US act first and not wait for
the legislatures. If we don't we'll be wait
ing many. many years before We'll get
what we want
Speaks for Pennsylvania.
Delegate Tobias Hall Of Philadelphia
told the convention Of political conditions
in Pennsylvania and of his experiences
while a factory inspector in the state. He
said he tried to bring about convictions
for the violation of the law which pro-
hibited corporations from requiring wom-
en- and children to work over sixty hours
a week.
II saw the violations in several big de-
partment stores. investigated them and
presented conclusive evidence before my
superiors." he said. 1.-THE prosecution was
postponed and put of until it finally
faded away In the hazy distance and
dropped out of sight. 1t SO disguised my
feelings Of decency and justice that re-
signed. l had had enough Of 1t.
"A prominent senator of the state was
my political sponsor, as 1t were. 1t was
ment because OF labor interests demands.
He thought probably he was plucking a
political chestnut from my union when
the appointment was made, but he was
sadly mistaken. 1 presume it is super
fluous for me to tell you that politically
Pennsylvania is rotten to the core"
Mr. Hall made plea for the establish
ment of a political labor party, which he
declared was the salvation Of labor and
it's only hope for the future. He deplored
the vote-selling prevelant among certain
union men. and said a campaign of edu-
cation, showing these men the true value
of the ballot, should be pursued diligently.
Others who participated in the discus
sion were Frank McCusker of Philadel-
phia. and Thomas Mcmahon Of Rhode
MrCnSkar hOr0f0d
need of concerted action for the eight
hour day, and Mcmahon told of cOndi-
tons in Rhode Island which he asserted
were kindred to those Of the Keystone
state, and sometimes worse"
Secretary's Report Adopted.
The report of the secretary was finally
adopted by unanimous vote. Besides
the section relative to the eight-hour day
the report discussed at some length the
two methods of assessment In vogue in
the union.
One method, the older one, the report
stated, which required a payment of IL
cents per member each quarter for the
general expenses of the union. and which
of strikes. was losing ground among the
locals. while the assessment of 20 cents
a month, which went to make up the
defense fund.- referred to by President
Gompers yesterday, was gaining favor.
From this fund. the report continued, a
goOdly balance was accumuiating-one
which was a credit to the organization.
1t is from this fund that strike benefits
of 81 per week are paid to striking men,
bers Of the union. 1t contains also a
provision for a small death benefit 1t is
hoped eventually to have only the second
mode of union taxation.
Reports Submitted.
Among the reports of the various COM
mittees that Of the executive council OBJ
jected to the designation of New York
city as the next place for the workers
convention. The suggestion was adopted
and the selection of another meeting place
will be discussed later in the week
1t seemed to be the desire of the at
tending delegates to choose a city within
the territory where the textile industries
are most numerous.
A recommendation from the resolutions
committee, which was referred to the
committee on laws, provided for placing
greater authority in what is known as the
emergency committee made I'D OF five
members of the executive council, giving
1t the power to call strikes.
In case hasty action is needed at the
time when strike Is pending. it is stated.
utive committee before calling a strike.
BY giving the emergency committee"
greater power in this respect valuable
time in a crisis will be saved.
Two other recommendation Of the reso-
luton committee were adopted. One COM
mended the locals which paid out Of their
own funds benefits to members who hap
pened to be injured while at their en-
ployment. 1t was urged that all locals
adopt this method Of caring for members.
1t is hoped by the delegates that this fea-
ture will be taken up by the national
body. The second recommendation re-
quired that members of the executive
council not delegates to future conven-
tions should defray their own expenses.
The adoption of this resolution Is In line
with the general policy of the officers Of
the union to curtail expenses.
The convention adjourned at noon to
convene again tomorrow morning, at
which time other reports will be pre-