The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1910-01-07
MARSH'S
A. F. OF |.
REPORT
Continued From Page One.)


scheduled and the American Federation
is planning to carry the war into the
camp of the enemy with all the vigor
it possesses
A resolution was before the conven.
ton, calling, in effect, for the creation
OF war fund in the federation treas
uhy to be used in prosecuting industrial
conflicts in which the different af.
filiated unions might become involved.
This resolution failed of passage but
not before some powerful arguments
were heard for and against the purpose
of the resolution. This question of
creating a huge defence fund in the fed.
Grafton treasury has been argued by the
trade unionists of the country as much,
probably, as any other. The members
of our own organization during our
great struggle of 1906 in many eases
failed to understand why the fedora
ton did not come to our aid financi-
ally, and many yet harbor a resent
ment against the federation from that
cause. The debate on the convention
floor over this question covered the
ground so thoroughly that I feel that
it is very important that the arguments
pro and con be placed before our mem
bership. If there is no objection on the
part of the delegates present. | will ask
the president and secretary 20 embody
this debate in my report when prepar-
ing it for publication. 1t is not of
great length in itself, but still too
lengthy to inflict upon your patience
in the imittd time at our disposal at
this convention.
Financial support was pledged to the
Seamen of the Great Lakes as it might
be needed in their stand against the
policy of the Lake Carriers associa
ton to exterminate their union. The
Seamen it might be stated are making
a magnificent fight and are suffering
great hardships with stoicism not
possible to less hardy men. Mr.. j.
Havelock Wilson of Great Britain was
present and told of the efforts the Sea-
men are making to win their struggle
and organize the yet unorganized In
their craft. Mr.. Wilson is a member
e De- l.a hut x,ha ha on m
to America and aid his fellow crafts
men, he did not hesitate to leave
brilliant career in Parliament and come
to this country.
One Indictment against the American
Federation of Labor in the past, and
one with some foundation in fact, has
been the constant jurisdictional dis
putes arising between organizations
whose work was similar in character,
and who were continually carrying on
a clandestine warfare. There have
been and are several organizations whose
work is so nearly similar and whose in
terests are so identical, that amalga-
nation should have taken place long
ago. In my opinion there are not too
many union men but there are too
many unions. The convention, | be-
lieved, realized that fact and steps have
been taken to bring together several diff
trent organizations that naturally be-
long together, but have maintained sep
arate bodies. Preliminary steps of
amalgamation were taken at this con-
vention for the following unions:
Amalgamated Society of Carpenters
and Joiners with the United Brother
hood of Carpenters and Joiners; Inter
national Union of Elevator Construc-
tors and International Association of
Machinists; International Association
of Carworkers and Brotherhood of Rail-
wav Carmen. The International Broth
erhood of Boilermakers and the United
Boilermakers have amalgamatd during
the wear and ! believe that several 9th
err international organizations will join
forces in the very near future. Speak
ing upon the subject of bringing the
Amalgamated Woodworkers into the
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Jointers, President Lewis of the United
Mine Workers. said:
"The committee has come to the con-
clusion that where certain men in this
labor movement do not see the benefits
of concentration we believe it is time
to compel them to get into line for
thir own good"
As compared with former conver'
tions, the jurisdictional questions which
the delegates were called upon to settle
were few in number. This is due in
part to the formation of the depart
ments which in many cases during the
past year were able to settle the dis
putes without the necessity of referring
them to the American Federation OF
Iacon convention.
What had been expected would be
the stormest period of the convention
was the settlement, or attempted set
tlment. of the Electrical Workers con-
troversy which had been raging for
many months. The Electrical Workers
of the country have been split into two
-