The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1915-07-31
THE NATIONAL womEN's TRADE
UNION LEAGUE CONVENTION.
Miss Scott, Vice President, 10 a Cath.
ollie.

Last month the delegates from the
National Women's Trade Union
League held their annual convention
in New York City. The delegates
numbered ninety-one and represented
Boston, Baltimore, Chicago, Denver,
Kansas City, Philadelphia, st. Louis,
Springfield, ILL.,, and New York local
leagues.
The Vacation Club movement insti-
tuted by wealthy ladies came in for
much criticism. These clubs, al
though good in aiding the girls tenn
porarily by giving them both rest and
recreation, nevertheless, become detri-
mental in SO far as they hold back the
working girl from joining the more
beneficial society-the trade union, in
which she must pay dues" but from
which great material and lasting bene-
fits are derived.
1t was shown that the Trade Union
was fitting and necessary institution
for women workers and that the soon
er the girls and women of this country
were united, not 80 much through suff-
rage, but in strongly organized trade
unions, then, and not till then, could
women stand equal with men to up.
hold the law and reject the unjust in.
dustrial weight which is being heaped
upon them by overwork, long hours,
and small pay.
A. E. Of L. Officials Attend.
Mr.. Gompers, president Of A. F. OF
L.: Mr.. H. Frayne. New York A. F. OF
L., and Congressman Meyer London,
all voiced their sentiments of pleas.
ure at the progress Of the Women's
Trade Union League in various fields
of endeavor which in ten years has
reached such proportions as to grow
from eight delegates in 1906 to ninety.
one delegates in 1915. 40
President Gompers, addressing the
delegates, reviewed briefly the history
Of the A. F. of L. in connection with
its advocacy of woman's rights in in.
dustry and politics. He also pointed
out the greatness of the Clayton Anti.
Trust Act which declares "That the
labor of a human being is not q com.
modify or article Of commerce" Here
we have an explicit declaration of the
freedom of the worker. Heretofore
the old idea Of economists held pre-
ference ihgthe courts, that the human
being was commodity, and that the
law can regulate, restrict, and deter
mine the conditions under which thu
workers can migrate.
Representatives from numerous
fraternals and societies brought thei
messages to the Trade Union Women
all voicing with one accord the ini
alive power of women and the stronl
conviction of good that will result from
the use of this power in every phas'
of life.
The last three days of the conven
ton were given up to the reports o
committees, local leagues, and tn,
election. The committees represente,
all phases of the social question; un
employment, educational, vocationa
education, legislation, organization an,
fire prevention. Resolutions were pass
ed resolving to work for Suffrage II
) the various states in which that issu
is pending; endorsing the Federal In
dustrial Relations Commission an
particularly congratulating the leader
ship of Frank P. Walsh; protesting
against the imprisonment of John +
Lawson and demanding that retrial b
given him; and firmly desiring peac
among the nations.