Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-08-11
ENDORSE STRIKE
OF TROLLEY MEN
Vermont Branch of A. F. L. Hears
That Rutland Road Is Non
Union for Keeps.

Rutland Aug l0.-The Vermont branch
Of the American Federation Of Labor. in
convention IN this city, hal very busy
time here to-day, holding Two long ses-
sons capped by a banquet af the Berwick
this evening. The convention went on
record as endorsing the strike of the
street railway motormeu and conductors
here and the matter was touched upon
by several Of the speakers who laid the
attempt 10 break up the union entirely at
the door OF President G. Tracy Rogers
Of Binghamton. y. Y, saying taat Local
Manager G. S. Haley was not opposed to
organized labor. This arimos!ty vas
caused by the report OF a committee ap-
pointed yesterday 10 see the company, II
stated that the concern had determined
to run a non-union road and that none
Of the striking employees could return TO
work except by giving up their union af-
flliations.
Reports OF delegates from many unions
occupied much of the time of the morn
ing session and the growth in orGanized
labor throughout the State showed by
these was very gratifying.
James p. Reilly OF Rutland. represent
ing the cigar makers, spoke Of the small
number OF cigar makers IN tho State and
appealed to the convention delegates IN
go back to their local organizations and
attempt to boom the cigar making bust
ness by persuading every man to use
homemade cigars. Mr. Reilly considered
that Vernon, produced as good cigars as
could be manufactured elsewhere and he
thought an apprcciahle demand for the
&c.
the business In the State.
URGE INCREASED MEMBERSHIP.
d. A Bruten of Rutland reported
briefly for the local Central Trades
end Labor council, max ing the state
ment that the council has II aflia-
tons.
Rezin Orr, treasurer OF the national
organization of Street and Electric
Railway Employees, referred to the
federation MS business proposition
and urged work for an increase in
membership, He stated that less than
20 per cent. OF the working people In
the country ar, organized. Neverthe-
less, this small percentage has greatly
improved conditions for the working
man End woman. Seventy-fvc pei
cent, of employers Mr.. Orr said, are
now paying respect to the organized
labor and he thought that labor had
n right to feel proud ~ what has
been accomplished by organ zat!on
Mr.. Orr said that present labor con
ditions in Vermont We're due To arot-
trary employers and he thought thai
now was the time to effect change
ir tho interest Of the working man
Robert II. Maloney. organizer for the
International Typographical union. ad-
dressed the convention on the loca
| situation. James w Wall Of Worces-
ter. Mass, v!ce-president of the Mas
sachusetts branch Of tho A. y. L., spoke
| in reference to the union label MS die
Charles Morris OF Boston, representa-
| tive OF the United llattcrs.
Covers were laid for 80 at the ban
quet tonight. The speakers included
Lieut. Gov. John A. Mead, Rev, JOSEPH
Reynolds, pastor Of Trinity Church
| here, President George T.. Iassor o
the local board of aldermen, Mr.. Orr
Mr. Maloney and william Standcumhe
president OF the New England Labe
] I~A~srAAN