The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-06-09
Federation ENDS,
DtlEelIEs LEAVE
BEFORE ACCOUNTING pEcIpEs
TO SEND REpagssNrAv,vE TO

EnTtf UAyEs i1C AtAtCeken Aifl&0t WIZ
,ention Of the Virginia Federation Of
Labor passed into history at o'clock
Thursday evening and Friday the Wis
iting delegates are departing from
Richmond, returning to their homes
and emplayments TO begin another
years work with local unions in be-
half Of organized labor
Probably the most important action
at the closing session Thursday az
yention to send a delegate represent
ing the Virginia Federation to the next
annual convention of the American
Federation OF Labor, This decision was
reached after long and heated discus
sion in which a score OF the most
prominent and influential delegates
participated.
When Delegate John Hirchberg tn
troduced a resolution providing that 4
delegate be named. Delegate z. c,
Dawson arose and opposed the mo-
lion declaring that the Virginia Fed
GRAFTON needed all its available funds
for procuring legislation favorable to
labor al the coming session OF thu
General Assembly. Sergeant at arrs
Tatem rellnauished his duties Of guard
ing the door enough to make q spirited
delegate He said:
In the name Of God, brothers, don't
want representation. What mat
aers the cost II there 10 no money
available for sending delegate aren't
we men enough to take up collection
TO defray his expenses. I. gentlemen.
Tor one will give $50 out Of my own
pocket
Delegate W H. Dunn~ant arose to
take exception. but was out OF order
and Chairman J. ]. Dreamer. who was
acting as presiding ogficer in the 49,
sence of President Eppsrson, directed
Dunnivant to be seated Delegate r.
=. Craig declared there was no money
TO send a delegate and asserted that
no benefits are derived by the Vir-
ginia Federation from representation
at the annual convention of the Amer
lean Federation. He said he would
rather see the money distributed
among the poor people of the State.
VIII Send Delegate.
Delegate Woody declared that the
Virginia Federation had more money
in the treasury than ever in its his
tory Delegate Pullin said the Vir-
ainia Federation should send 4 dele
gate as matter of pride II for no
other reason, Delegate Hirschherg
then made a speech in defense Of his
motion. He said.
Who asks what dement's We derive
from representation 1t the A. r. of
L. conventional / have attended ave
Of those conventions and ! say we
do derive benefits, not In dollars and
cents. but We get needed aid from
the head body aid that IL essential
10 the success OF our State organixa-
tion and I ask you what viii happen
II We sever the connecting link be-
tween the Virginia Federation and
the American Federation"
1t costs only $50 to send a dele
gate and II | thought we did not have
that much money ] would donate
my own salary. Send a delegate II Il
costs $500 and If We haven't the
money ! will guarantee 400 from
the citizens OF Richmond.
Following this speech the vote wa
taken and Hirschberg carried the day
only a few giving dtssenting votes ia
the resolution to send delegata
Delegates r.. w. Riakey and II. r.
Colsin were nominated. Blakey beina
elected with SO votes TO 81 for his
opponent. rRlakess election was made
unanimous on motion of Colvin. II
was decided that Colvin shall act al
alternate If Blakey is unable to at
tend the American Federation con.
sention.
Legislative Committee.
There was q spirited contest ovel
the election of three delegates Il
form a legislative committee which /,
10 lobby for labor at the next leg!s
lature. Speeches were made by dele
gates who stated that the election
~ these delegates was the most i'm
portant work of the three days ses
ssoH VI tire convention m The future
Of organized labor in Virginia depend
ed on the ability Of the members o.
the committee to obtain favorable
legislation at the next assembly.
The committee, which was elected
ss composed of T.. &. Dawson. O
Richmond; Howard T. Colvin, o
Alexandra, and w. X. Hutchen o
Newport News J. d. Ciinedinst, o
Newport News, and l.. Lolio. OF Alex
andria, were elected members OF TIT
executive committee. the other mem
hers OF which are the president, frs
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