Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-11-22
A. F. OF L. JOIN FIGHT
Continued from Page Onel

CONTINUED from Page Onel
- - --------------
awaits certain formal steps to be
taken by the brotherhoods at their
next convention TO be held some time
next year.
Indefinite Plans
Other than 70 say that they would
oppose all sorts Of compulsory arbi-
| tration bills in Congress the speakers
were rather indefinite today as to
what they expected TO do for the great
mass of railway workers. Federation
leaders, however, said frankly that the
primary object of the proposed atfilia-
ton is to bring about universal
eight-hour day. Brotherhood leaders
left here after the meeting undeter-
mined as to what their next step
would be. Ii they should decide to call
! Il strike because the railroads do not
put the Adamson law into effect on
Jan. l. they probably will ask q con-
ference with federation officials. They
also will seek conferences. it is be-
lieved. if the present injunction suits
of the railroads are successful. The
only definite plan the leaders of the
two organizations now have is to con-
Ter Immediately upon the presentation
OF any proposed compulsory arb,tra-
ton bill in Congress or any other
! bills which they believe would prove
detrimental to their mutual interests.
! Recommendation Not Joke
! Andrew Furusoth Of the lnterna-
tlonal Seamen's Union of America.
chairman OF the committee on report
OF the executive council which recon-
mendcd yesterday organized labor dis
regard injunctions based on the die
tum that labor is property. late today
! told the convention that the recon-
mendation was not Joke" as some
seemed inclined to regard it.
This statement was brought during
discussion of resolution which Furu-
seth's committee had recommended he
referred to the executive council for
consideration. The resolution provided
for the establishment of Il central bu-
reau for all legal matters affecting the
interests of labor. One delegate ar
gued for immediate passage OF the
resolution on the ground that If the
recommendation that the convention
adopted yesterday was obeyed many
federatonsts would need legal assist
ance TO get them out of prison. 1t was
then that Furuscth insisted upon lit
eral application of the clause in the
injunction recommendation Let the
consequences be what they may"
The legal department resolution by vote
of the convention was referred to the
committee on laws for immediate consid-
Grafton and report before adjournment
of the convention.
Opinions by Leaders
I'VE must hang together or we will
hang separately" w. G. Lee. spokesman
for the brotherhoods and head of the
Railway Trainmen, declared.
"It is a great comfort to know Pres
ident Gompers said, that the time is not
far distant when the great brotherhoods
will be a part of the American Fedora
ton of Labor"
Lee explained that the laws of the
brotherhoods now prevent an official aftl-
iation with the federation until after their
convention is held, but he insisted that
between now and that time the organiza-
tions could cooperate with the same pur
pose as if they were officially affiliated.
He also made it plain that the brother
hoods were not bringing their eight-hour
day troubles to the federation for sup
port
II am about anarchist enough" he said,
ITO say that we are going to work for the
olo
get it peacefully. we will fight for it,
Lee said that some sort of af!iliation
should be effected to fight any proposei
arbitra ton legislation which might be un-
fair to labor. President Wilson plans
such legislation, Lee said. and il should
be carefully watched. He declared that
Congress had no right to pass any la"
compelling men to work. provided he was
not in prison. if he did not want to and
he did not think 1t would do SO.
Praise for Wilson
Prolonged cheering followed praise OF
President Wilson by Mr.. Lee. 1T took
more courag e for him TO write across the
front pages of the newspapers of this
country that he was for an eight-nour
work day than it would have taken Tor
him to have written that this country
was at war with Mexico" he said. our
principal object row is TO help the Pres
ident and men in both branches OF Con-
gress to make good their promises TO us
I believe they will do it,
Failure of the brotherloods and the fed
Grafton 10 affiliate before now has not
been wholly the fault of either. side. he
said. He declared that invitations had
come to the brotherhoods to appear before
the federation meetings but they Ead
not been accepted.
We are nearer utilization today than
We ever have been before. he said. I
know that large percentage OF our
members will be glad 10 know that we
have been here and spoken 70 you to-
dey. It is absolutely necessary for US
who are organized to get together ana
say that we shall go the limit 70 oD-
tain better conditions particularly Tor
tac. on lipec THAT the raitrC4SS now