Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-06-03

/ er, one Of the most prominent members
! Of the nth Legislature, because OF his
i alleged unfriendly position in regard
l to the workmen's Compensation Act.
Il There seemed to be some doubt, how
ever. in the minds Of many as to the
significance of Mr.. Higgins speeches
on the subject and there was not
clear understanding Of his friendly or
hostile stand Apparently no doubt
existed in the minds Of Henry NJ.
Il Donnelly Of Biddeford. secretary OF
the Federation, and Henry NJ. Desco-
teaux of Biddeford. member of the nth
Legislature and member of the special
committee of the Legislature on Work
mems Compensation bills. Both de-
nounced Mr.. Higgins in certain terms
and Mr.. Donnelly branded him as the
ardent representative Of the corporation
interests. Remarks We're also made in
tended to show that the object Of criti-
cism was Influenced in his attitude on
the Workmen's Compensation Act by
his connections with insurance COM
panies.
The discussion of the 54-hour law
and it's threatened position through the
invoking Of the referendum now in
process Of petition, revealed the fact
that the Federation did not wish to be
understood as opposed in any way to
the referendum law but 1t does not be-
lieve the referendum is being called in
good faith. 1t was stated that the rea-
son for invoking or attempting to in
woke the referendum is only to delay
the final adoption Of the law and does
not sincerely contemplate the necessity
of polling the opinion Of Maine voters
in this law. 1t is probable that res
olution will be passed today in which
the sense Of the Federation on this
matter will be indicated and the action
Of the labor interests Of Maine will be
forecasted.
Two out-of- State labor men ADDRESS
ed the afternoon session. The Iirst
speaker was Edward S. Alden of Hol-
yoke, Mass, president of the Massa-
chusetts State Branch A. F. of L. He
declared that his errand was to begin
the closer utilization Of the various
State branches in New England to-
ward the ultimate formation of New
England Federation. He urged the
sending Of fraternal delegates to the
conventions Of other State branches
and said he had already made several
visits just as he was visiting the Maine
brarch.
Mr.. Alden was very forcible speak
: err. He spoke fearlessly and did not
mince his words nor leave himself in
a position where he might be misunder-
stood. He told his audience that
Names Compensation Act was much
poorer than Massachusetts and Mas
: sachusetts was yet far from satisfied
with the law now in force there. He ex-
pressed disappointment that Massachu-
sets had thus far failed to enact the
Initiative and Referendum law but
declared that the Bay State is far
ahead Of Maine still in advance legis-
lation and plans to continue in the lead.
He mentioned the Anti-Injunction Act
Of Massachusetts, and suggested that
every state in the Union should soon
have the law.
Mr.. Alden compared the convention
r which he was addressing with the con-
4 vention Of the assachusetts branch
y and remarked that the president of the
$ Maine branch would find it much hard
4 er to keep order in Massachusetts, than
b in Maine, for in the great convention
there, which cities of the Bay State find
i difficulty in providing with a hall at
, times, the feeling. though friendly in
e the main, runs high as between indus
: tries and sections and lively scenes
S are enacted on the floor in debate. He
e made many suggestions which were
: received with loud applause and was
0 plainly thoroughly enjoyed by the del
. egates.
, Coils Lovely of ST. Louis, Mo-, fol-
t lowed Mr.. Alden. Mr.. Lovely is general
t vice president of the Boot and Shoe
i Workers Union but spoke Wednesday
0 afternoon as the representative Of the
!, Label Trades department of the Amer
$ lean Federation of Labor He first
/, spoke Of the evils of convict labor in
/, competition with free labor and in
: touching upon prison conditions declar-
y ed that those who are appointed or
n elected to administrate the laws are
: the worst law breakers of all. The
Y startling statement appeared less radi-
j cal when he applied it to admiAistrat-
n ors Of the affairs of penitentiaries and
e thus apparently qualified it. He cited
: fragrant abuses in penitentiaries and
d then coming to Maine with his discus
: sion aimed a few remarks at Thomas
: ton.
n Abuses at Thomaston
8 He declared that Maine law is being
broken every day at Thomaston in at
least three distinct ways. He stated
', that the law Of Maine relating to the
y employment Of the Thomaston convicts
;, upon the production of goods provides
= that nothing shall be by them manu-
;, featured which was produced by Maine
: industry prior to the passage of the
!, law, but that shoe heels are made
= there every day despite the fact they
were manufactured in Maine long be-
fore the law was passed Further he
stated that the law provides that not
, more than 20 per cent. of the force of
: convict labor shall be employed in the
manufacture Of any article, but GER
tainly more than that percentage is en-
gagged in the production of heels Last
ly, he said that the law provides all
convict made goods shall be stamped,
Made in Maine State Prison." whereas
the heels are never stamped.
Continuing he urged the delegates to
do all they could to influence the en-