Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-06-03

ton, and have restrained us from tbs
publication Of the I'VE don't PATRONAGE
list. thereby leaving us no other
weapon than the use of the union label
with which to wage our struggle
against injustice, therefore be it
Resolved, That the Maine State
Branch of. the A. F. of L. in conven-
ton assembled, call upon every union
man and every local. and every central
body to wage an unremitting campaign
in support of every label every card
land every button recognized by organ
lied labor, and that we further recon-
mend the formation of label commit
ltees in every locality, who shall take
lcharge of the union label agitation in
that locality.
/ H. Whereas, the most effective
weapon of organized labor lies in the
exercise of their purchasing power, and
Whereas at least 80 per cent. of the
wages of the worker are disbursed by
the women of the family, who are not
sufficiently familiar with the methods
of production of INSCRIPTIONS manu-
lfacturers, who are concerned only In
securing increased profits without re-
gard to the welfare of the community,
and
Whereas, the elimination of child
slavery, the sweatshop, of prison con-
tract labor and the nefarious system
of compelling the female workers to
toll for mere pittance, only because
she is a woman, can only be accom-
plished by the intelligent use of the
purchasing power, therefore be it,
Resolved that the Maine State
Branch of the a. F. of L. in conven.
ton assembled urge upon all affiliated
unions and central bodies the para
mount necessity of organizing Womens
Union Label Leagues in every city and
town in which labor organization ex-
lists
Resolutions were presented favoring
equal wages for men and women, re-
laffirming the initiative and referen-
dunn, also one favoring primary cleo
tons, corrupt practices act and the real
Australian ballot law, which was pre-
scented by the Central Labor Union Of
Augusta, Hallowell and Gardiner.
An interesting letter was read from
jerry Cronin of Bangor, seventh vice
president of the International Cigar
Makers Union. who is now at WASH.
ington on business in connection with
tariff legislation affecting his union.
An address was given by George IT,
Thornton Of Boston, vice president of
the Bricklayers and Masons Interna-
tional Union, who spoke of conditions
which confronted his organization in
Massachusetts. He declared that the
time was never more opportune TO.
/ nnnRQn Of vi.
terests Of labor.
| At p M. the convention won't int
executive session.
| A supper at Grand Army hall at
which about 100 labor men were in at
tendance was followed by Smoke talk
addressed by representatives of the
| International unions as well as by Of
ficers and members of the State Fed
GRAFTON of Labor The committee on the
| supper consisted of o. H. Anderson,
Job Cartilage and Abner w. Nichols.
Manson w. Dennis, president of the
Augusta, Gardiner and Halloweil Cen
trail Labor Union, acted as POSTMASTER.
A recitation by Harold Partridge
opened the program. The first speaker
was Charles o. Beals of Auburn, pres
| ldent of the State Federation of Labor.
He urged laboring men not to be con-
tent with present achievements, but to
press on until they had secured all
| needed reforms.
After a selection by the Abnaki
Quartet Thomas ]. Lyons, commission
err of industrial and labor statistics,
| was called upon by the POSTMASTER.
Commissioner Lyons urged the labor
men present to regard his office as one
| i'll which they would feel welcome at all
| times, and where information that they
| might desire would be placed at their
| disposal
Thomas O'Hare of Boston, represent
ing the international Boot and Shoe
Workers Union, followed Commission
| er Lyons. He declared that conditions
would be heavenly if every man be-
| longed to an organization of his trade.
He spoke in some detail of conditions
among the shoe workers of Brockton
and urged labor men TO use great care
in securing boots and shoes with the
union label
Two amusing dialect recitations were
given by NJ. B. Costello of Lewiston.
Roscoe A. Eddy of Bar Harbor,
chairman of the legislative committee
| of the State Federation of Labor, gave
interesting "reminiscences of several
years experience as the representative
| of organized labor at the State Legisla-
ture and pointed out how conditions
| had steadily improved and labor men
were now given a more respectful
hearing than formerly. He declared
that labor men should stop letting thu
politicians work them and work the
politicians for change. He urged la
| Dor men to see that men elected to the
Legislature were fair towards organ
ICED labor
George T. Thornton. vice president
Of tho Bricklayers and Masons Inter-
| national Union. explained why his uni
! on YVES not affiliated with the A. F. Of
l.. and believed that the time would
soon come when it would be affiliated.
He spoke at some length of the condi-
+, tions under which the members of his
trade were obliged to work in Massa-
| chusctts. He alluded to the conflict be-
| tween the Manufacturers Association
and the Trades Union and predicted
/ warfare in the end.
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