The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1912-12-13
CONVENTION
REFLECTIONS
ey j. G. Brown, President |. S. w. U.
of A.

American Federation of Labor, held
this year in Rochester, New York. was
a notable gathering of the men repre-
senting the organized working class of
| this nation. 1t would be hard for so
| large a body of the men of labor to
come together in a session lasting two
weeks that would be less notable.
The Rochester convention devoted
an entire day to the discussion of the
Sherman antitrust law as it has been
made by the courts to apply in the
case of the United Hatters of North
America, whereby it has been held
that the organization is liable to the
extent of $240,000 and costs in dam
ages sustained by the Lowey Hat Co,
of Danbury Conn, in its interstate
trade.
The discussion was purely informal,
and while no great amount of new
light was thrown on the subject its
Importance was driven home as never
before to the minds of the labor rep
resentatives that in the vicious inter-
probation which the courts have given
this elastic salute no only is every
labor organization liable in triple
damages but every individual member
of labor organization is also liable,
should the U. s. supreme court sus-
tain the unheard of decisions of the
lower tribunals. The discussion was
for this identical purpose. 1t was
hoped that by this means labor could
be reused from the fatal optimism
with which it has viewed the litiga-
tion in the Hatters' case. Once
aroused there will be such a flood of
resentment at the Interpretation
placed upon this law as to force its
speedy amendment or repeal alto
gether.
The delegates to the convention
from the United Mine Workers came
under instructions from their organ
ization to work and vote for the prin-
ciple of industrial unionism, as op-
posed to the present policy of craft
autonomy which characterlZes the
present policy of the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor. This question occu
pied much time on the floor of the
convention, but was eventually de-
feated on a roll cal lvote. However,
the sentiment in favor of this policy
of amalgamation and industrializing
the federation is bound to grow and |
it will be but a few years more till |
industrial evolution will force change |
in the present stand-pat policy in this
particular. 1t would, of course, be
folly to tell one organization that they
must consolidate with some other and |
to others that they must relinquish |
their organization and merge it into |
some other form that might be closer
allied with their particular industry |
These things must be brought about |
by the voluntary action of the mem
bers composing the organization in
question, but the declaration of the |
of industrial unionism and |
the general effort toward that end |
must soon be made. Every year there
is a growing tendency in this direc-
tion. and the tide will soon be so
strong that to stand before it will be
to become submerged. Organizations
of labor must conform to the evolu-
tion of industry, if they are to live
The trouble of the electrical work
ers. which is of an internal nature,
did not come directly on the floor OF
the convention, but there is feeling
among those most interested that
there must soon come a settlement OF
this long-standing controversy.
The proposition to have the officeS |
of the Federation elected by refer
endum of the membership did not
come up till the closing hours of the
and there was insufficient
time to give it the consideration 1t
really deserved OF this latter propo-
sition there may be a reasonable doubt |
as to its feasibility owing to the pc
culiar nature of the organizations that
compose the Federation and the di-
vergent methods in vogue among them
for taking of a vote of this character
However, it is reasonable to suppose
that by making the effort some sys-
tenn that would meet the needs of the
occasion would be worked out The
arguments advanced against 1t were
OF the same character as are advanced
AGAINST the same measure when pre-
sented in the various states OF the
Union for the election of United States
senators, and submission to the Vot-
ers of legislation demanded by the
people.
President Gompers, for the first
time in ten years. was opposed for re-
election by Max S. Hayes, a sociallst'
while the later was defeated by a
rw wo.to-one vote, the mere fact that
President Gompers met with opposi-
tion is in itself significant since II
shows a growing sentiment for
change of the policy of the organi2a-
lion. The votes cast for Hayes can
rot he regarded as in any way per
sonal one against Gompers. 1t was
si,oplv a vote of protests and to those
who ca nread the signs of the times 1t
means that the Federation must take
more advanced stand than has been
~, ,ost faxv wears