United labor bulletin., 1914-12-12
BUILDING TRADES
FIGHT TREASON
A. F. of L. Department Meet
ing Takes Drastic Action
Officers Elected and Number of Vice
Presidents Reduced from Is to S;
Gompers Makes Prediction

Expulsion OF unions found guilty OF
treason was laid down as the declared
policy OF the building trades department
of the American Federation of Labor at
a meeting held in Philadelphia follow
ing the regular a F. OF L. convention.
The charge came before the convention
in connection with the effort of the
Briclzlayers and Masons' international
Union. not affiliated with the A. F. OF
l., to hold jurisdiction over marble, slate
and stone setting in interiors This
work both the Federation and the build
ing trades department have decided be-
longs to the marble workers.
1t was declared that in violation of
rules plasterers, stone cutters. steam en-
gineers, hod carriers and common la
borers had entered INTO alliances with
the brieklayers and with the carpen-
tiers. The carpenters are affiliated
with the Federation but not with the
building trades department. 1t was
claimed that the object OF these ALI
ances was TO destroy the marble
workers organization.
Williams Reelected President.
The whole question was referred to
the committee on executive councils re-
port. which reported for non-eoncur-
renee in the matter OF expulsion. The
convention turned down the committee
| report and backed up the executive
council after two-hour debate. The
convention decided that every local and
state council that fails to expel locals
of bricklayers and masons not in artil-
iatiOn with the \. F. of l. will have its
charter withdrawn
President Thomas J. Williams and
| Secretary Treasurer William ]. Spen-
| Ger were reelected without opposition
/ Changes in department laws reduced the
number OF vice presidents from 5 to >.
| The five elected are: George F. Hem
/ drick, +. J. McNulty. John J. Hyues.
/ John +. NeGlory and Walter Y. Price
President Gompers addressed the con-
/ vention and said that he felt certain
I that organized labor faced ia period OF
great growth He said:
The work OF the convention lust
[ closed was tremendously significant. Il
/ viii 60 further than any other toward
advancing the unity of organized work
ers OF America and even TO bringing the
unorganized toilers to Join hands with
us in the cause for the uplift of the
masses. Let me say in all eandor that
for more than a year and up to the
/ close OF the recent convention / had
/ grave misgivings as to the fate OF our
| organized labor movement. With the
tension that had grown up there was
something sure to break. The alterna
tive was presented where our depart
ments and rishtful positions in labor.
where our international and other bod
les were TO be guaranteed their rights
or the fate of the organized labor move
ment be sealed. The opinion was shared
/ by active leaders of the movement.
Enforce Eight-Hour Day.
MANY conferences were held. with
the result that the decision was arrived
at that there must be some easing up.
/ \ committee made up OF Vice President
! Duncan. Secretary Morrison and myself
! gave day after day to the matter. and
a report, modified by experience and
immediate needs, was submitted and the
imously; and | am glad to see this de-
partment do the same thing. | have no
more doubt OF the Permanency. the per-
petuity and the constant growth and
success of the departments and the Fed
Grafton than l have OF the universality
OF mankind
President Gompers spoke of power
aud the right way to use IT, He said
he believed the carpenters and joiners
would soon be back in the department
aud that other organizations would be
heard knocking at the door. He stated
that during the coming year the off
GERS would either see that the eight.
hour law was properly enforced or have
enacted into law bill that shall mean
eight hours"