Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-06
FEDERATION AGROUND
State Body Hits a Snsg While Seeking
Affiliation with Locals.
ELECTRICAL WORKERS THE CAUSE
Latter In Bad with Americas Fedora
tiOn-Omnibus Demands for Pri-
vate and PuBIic Legislation
Are Before Convention.

II ICuIdShd 4 il IdpOl III
convention in South Omaha got down to
the routine of the session, Wednesday
morning and brought up a sort of omnibus
of demands. The general work con-
sisted of the reports of committees. The
committee on laws and legislation made
reports and several resolutions involving
the policy Of the organization and the
legislative problems to be undertaken were
adopted.
The first resolution adopted was that the
American Federation be requested to in
stall a salaried state organizer in Me-
braska. Another resolution requested that
the organizer be the president Of the state
federation, who at present is w. NJ. Maui
pin.
Next a resolution was introduced demand
ing that all the local unions be required
to affiliate with the state federation. This
plunged the convention into a difficulty
with the electrical workers and with the
American Federation. The American
Federation has refused to admit the seced-
ing faction of the electrical worker on the
same footing as the other craftsmen.
The local organization OF electrical work
ers sent delegates who were at first seated
by the convention, but 1t was discovered
the American Federation might demand
either their removal or revoke the charter
Of the State Federation. To obviate this
difficulty 1t was proposed that the cleo
trical delegates withdraw and that they be
seated as honorary delegates.
Many Speeches Made.
Many speeches were made, the leading
one by James Fitzgerald OF Des Moines,
vice president of the International Union
Of Electrical Workers. He said he was
anxious to promote harmony, but could see
no object in the union holding only an
honorary place. They should be in or out.
At the end of the debate the matter was
referred to the committee which is to re-
port matters pertaining to the good Of the
organization.
A resolution was adopted instructing the
president to visit Norfolk and organize the
local crafts men who by communication in
timated that they were ready to organize.
The committee on legislation presented a
resolution demanding the passage Of the
law creating a postal savings bank by this
session of congress. This was adopted.
More Money for Labor Bureaus.
A resolution was adopted under the re-
port of the same committee asking the
state legislature to increase the appropria-
ton and extend the powers of the state
bureau Oh ldDOT COMMENSURATE WITH ln6
dignity Of the state and the industries to
be supervised.
A resolution was passed requiring that
the officers of the federation present to
each candidate for a state or federal Of
flee numerous questions. such as the fol-
lowing:
Do you favor trades unions, an eight
hour day, employment not more than six
days per week, the initiative and refer
endum, the recall, restriction of convict
labor in competition with honest trades,
compulsory purchase of text books by the
state in public schools, jury trial In con-
tempt cases not committed in presence of
the court, abolition OF contract system in
public works, labelling Of prison made
articles. the broadening of the scope of the
employers hSbility act. abolition Of child
labor, purchase OF Fairgrounds, equal pay
for equal work by men or women, squeez-
ing OF watered stock, election of senators
by direct vote Of the people, the election
of federal judges, laws restricting the num-
Der of hours of continuous employment by
steam and electrical traction companies
and the guarantee OF bank deposits2
No Answers Now.
The federation resolved to make no
recommendation on receipt of answers to
these questions, out 10 publish them and
let them speak for themselves.
These propositions were later incorporated
in resolutions and the federation committed
itself in favor OF laws perfectlng the sani-
tary conditions OF public buildings, for
eight hours continuous service on railroads.
but no more. for a state accident insur-
ance. for a state inspector of boilers, for
the labelling OF prison made goods, for the
restriction of the powers of private police
and detectives OF corporations, for the
creation OF the office of bridge and build
ing inspector OF the state. Other resolu-
lions were read and referred to the proper
committee for later report.
After Grand Island Pool rooms.