Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-05-09
PLEDGES
SUPPORT TOU.S.
in RESOLUTIONS
Federation Convention Re-
spends to Patriotic
Appeals
WANT LAWS IN RETURN
Delegates Believe Compensa-
ton Bill Now Pending
Should Go Through
WANT LAWS IN RETURN

A big gain in membership was re-
ported by Charles T.. Quinn, secre-
tary of the state Federation of Labor,
at the annual convention to-day. lie
reported that 1874 locals had become
affiliated with the organization.
During the session this morning
resolutions were passed calling on all
laboring men to remain loyal to the
United States i'm the present war.
Secretary Charles +. Quinn gave the
financial and membership reports COW
ering the year, showing that the Fed
Grafton had added 1874 organizations.
In speaking of the Boy Scouts,
James II. Maurer declared they were
a military organization.
GOmpers sends Regrets
\ letter was read from Samuel
Gompers. president of the national
body. expressing regret that he was
unable to be present y resolution
was offered. discussed and adopted
that all press reports be censored by
a committee appointed to do the
work.
A committee was appointed. con-
sisting of David j. Berry. managing
editor and treasurer of the National
Labor Journal; John a. Phillips, of
Philadelphia, and r. j. Wheeler. of
Allentown. Mr.. Berry spoke against
the censoring of news and pointed out
the difficulties. Speakers to-day de-
clared that no Rartenders had been
unseated and that no such action had
been considered.
Abe Berkson, general organizer OF
the United Garment Workers of Amer
lea. gave statistics showing how the
membership of the Garment Workers
had grown and what they had been
enabled to do to better working con-
ditions
Adopt Patriotic Resolutions
Thomas Kennedy, of United Mine
Workers Union, No. :, introduced d
resolution that gave the position oil
| the Federation on several important
problems. The resolution follows:
Whereas. The State and Nationa
Government have called upon Labo'
of this country to be patriotic ans
| loyal during the crisis now confront
ing the Nation; and
Whereas, The Organized LaboI
movement has responded nobly to the
/ call of the Nation. and its membership
/ will be found lighting and working
! for the success of the Nation, its peo
/ pie and the cause;
I Whereas, The membership of or
! ganized labor unions of Pennsylva
1 mia, in responding TO the patriotic ap
| peals of the State and Nation be
/ lieVe that the legislative bodies o
| this State should at this time SHOW
/ constructive patriotism by granting
/ to the workmen of Pennsylvania TIN
same benefits under the compensation
laws as what obtains in other states
| and
Whereas, Amendments to the com
pensation law giving Pennsylvani;
t..NN
! lief as other states are contained il
I House bill 1887. introduced by Repre-
sentative Woodward, of Alleghen.
county; and
Whereas. So far as we can learl
! this humane measure of equity, righ
and justice is being strangled t
death in the House committee on la
! Dor and industry, and all efforts hav
failed to have it reported out; and
Whereas. We believe that no com
mittee should be permitted to smoth
er this legislation, and that the bill
( should be reported out; therefore, b.
I ii
/ "Resolved BY the Pennsylvani;
State Federation of Labor, in conven
tion assembled, representing the or
| ganized labor movement of this State
! that we demand of the committee o
labor and industry that House bill Nc
/ 11S7 be reported out, and that tn
legislative bodies give to the work
| ing people of Pennsylvania the sam
compensation relief as received il
other states, and be it further
Resolved, That if the present Leg
/ islature negleCts to recognize tk
rights of labor in regard to compen
/ sation that we petition His Excel
/ lency. Governor NJ. G.. Brumbaugh, t,
| call a speciaS session of the Legisla
/ ture for the purpose OF giving t.
| Pennsylvania workers the compensa
! ton relief that they are entitled to.
Reports and discussions continued
during the afternoon session.