The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1913-09-26
PUBLIC OWNED
ST. RAILWAYS
Mass. Branch A. r. of [. Ad0Dts
Resolution
CONVENTION IN FALL RIVER
Postal Saving Bank Law Discussed
Attack on Manufacturers As
sociation-Child Labor
Laws.

Fall Riyer-Governor Foss was con
demned at the twenty-eighth annual
convention OF the Massachusetts
Branch American Federation OF Labor
which was held here last week with
the largest number of delegates in at
tendance in its history.
The Industrial Workers OF the
World and their methods were also
condemned.
Never before in the history OF this
Commonwealth, | believe, has such a
chaotic condition existed in regard TO
the enforcement of the labor laws"
said President r.. S. Alden of Holyoke
He criticized Governor Foss. The gov.
ernor was also attacked for his atti-
tude in the recent strike at his manu-
featuring plants at Hyde Park.
Among the recommendations made
by President Alden was one TO abolish
the legislative committee of the state
branch.
II believe" said the president. that
our legislative work should be taken
care OF by person competent to per.
form it, who should be termed legis-
latiye agent and be under the instruc-
tion and guidance of the executive
council and responsible TO them, the
executive council In turn being direct
ly responsible TO the convention"
A change / nthe method Of repre-.
sentation in the convention was IA
vored and opposition was expressed
by the president 10 the propositions
10 form a so-called labor party" Op-
position was also voiced by Presi-
dent Alden against any legislation
providing for compulsory arbitration
eve believe in Cancellation and ar
bitration," said the president, land
will go TO great length and suffer
much to""btain It before striking
But we must fight any effort TO take
from US the legal right to quit work
whenever we wish for any reason or
for no reason. The right under the
law TO strike must be maintained.
Among the resolutions passed was
one asking the Legislature to make
Illegal the carrying of children in pa
troll wagons.
President Edward s. Alden OF Hol-
yoke and Secretary-Treasdry Martin
Il. Joyce We're unanimously reelected.
An energetic flght is to be made for
the public ownership ana operation
of the street car lines OF the state.
For some years the general position
of the body has been in favor of the
public ownership OF public utilities,
but never until now has it taken de-
cided action in the effort to bring
II about.
The convention unanimously in
structed the legislature committee to
urge the next legislation TO submit
to the voters a measure providing for
public ownership and operation Of the
lines
The delegates believe that the de-
posits in the Postal Savings Bank
should be loaned directly to the people
instead of going at low rates to the
banks of the country.
n slaShlng attack on the National
Association OF Manufacturers was
made by President James OConnell
OF the National Metal Trades Depart
ment, a. +. of L., who brought the
greeting Of President Gompers of the
a. f. Of l.. For many years. said
he, organized labor has been on trial
throughout the country. It's leaders
have been charged with every sort OF
crime and its purposes have been wide
ly misconstrued. But now the shoe
has been placed on the other foot.
The National Manufacturers associa.
tion is on trial and comparison can
be made of their conduct as disclosed
by the Congressional INVESTIGATION
committee with that of our.organiza-
tion.
Ii was also voted to seek a change
in the present law regarding neglect
ed children, so that the judge before
whom the matter comes will not
have the final determination OF the
matter The demand Is TO be made
that the law be so amended that the
parents may have a jury trial
No city offered an invitation for the
convention except Boston, and the
gathering will undoubtedly be held
there next year.