I. B. of S. S. and the A. U. of S. S. be held August 23, 1912, Vice President Mitchell representing the A. F. of L. and Edwin Perry representing the Mining Department of the A. F. of L.

Consideration was given to the matter of the strike of the Furriers' Union No. 14263 of New York City. The strike was endorsed and during the E. C. meeting President Gompers went to New York and addressed two large mass meetings of the fur workers.

In accordance with the action of the A. F. of L. Committee on Industrial Education at its last meeting, the E. C. endorsed the report as prepared and amended by the E. C. and that the Legislative Committee of the A. F. of L. seek to have it made a public document.*

A sufficient number of copies of the report on Indusdustrial Education was ordered to supply the delegates to the next convention of the A. F. of L.

The International Brotherhood of Stationary Firemen protested against jurisdiction over firemen working in distilleries being awarded to any organization other than the International Brotherhood of Stationary Firemen.

The application of the International Union of United Brewery Workmen for the jurisdiction over distillery workers was referred for a conference between representatives of the Brewery Workers and International Brotherhood of Stationary Firemen during the A. F. of L. Convention at Rochester, N. Y.

Jurisdiction agreement entered into this date between the Sheet Metal Workers' International Alliance and the Metal Polishers, Buffers, Platers, Brass and Silver Workers' Union of North America.

It is understood by the parties whose signatures are hereto attached:

First, that all sheet metal work as registered with the A. F. of L., the Building Trades Department and Metal Trades Department shall be the work of the Sheet Metal Workers.

Second, the Sheet Metal Workers waive the right to the manufacture of gas and electric fixtures and beer pump supplies, such as are used in the drawing of beer, soda, and mineral waters to the Metal Polishers, Buffers, Platers, Brass and Silver Workers.

M. O'SULLIVAN, General President, Sheet Metal Workers. T. M. DALY, General President, Metal Polishers, Buffers, Platers, Brass and Silver Workers' Union of North America.

In considering the Workmen's Compensation law of Illinois, the following declaration was made: The E. C. of the A. F. of L. at its session of August, 1912, recognizing the Workmen's Compensation law of Illinois as a great advance over any form of Employers' Liability, deprecates any effort made by any body to return from Workmen's Compensation to Employers' Liability; and further, the E. C. of the A. F. of L. urges our fellow-workers to devote their

*NOTE.-This was later accomplished.-S.G.

attention to the improvement of the provisions of the Workmen's Compensation law, instead of working for its repeal.

Information having been received that the bill providing for a Commission on Industrial Relations had been passed at this session of Congress and the bill calling for the appointment of three labor men, the E. C. decided to urge the appointment of John B. Lennon and James O'Connell as two of the three labor men required under the bill, upon the Commission, in accordance with the previous action of the E. C. that two of the three labor men appointed should be members of the Federation and the third, a member of one of the railroad brotherhoods, who would be acceptable to the members of the A. F. of L.

Letters to the E. C. were received from Mr. Oscar F. Nelson, President of the National Federation of Postoffice Clerks, expressing appreciation and gratitude for the assistance rendered in securing the enactment of the law by which the right of petition and the right of organization was restored to the post-office employes by an act of Congress.

It was directed that an investigation be made of the situation of the Machinists' Helpers' Union involved in the Illinois Central and the Harriman lines receiving strike benefits.

The protest and appeal of Harry De Veaux against the White Rats Actors' Union was taken up. After full consideration it was decided that all parties making the appeal and protest be advised that the White Rats Actors' Union had absolute autonomy to conduct the affairs of their union, and therefore the protests can not be considered by the E. C. of the A. F. of L., and for the further information of the protestants that only in case of violation of the terms of amalgamation between the White Rats Actors' Union and the Actors' Union, can the E. C. take cognizance of a dissension in the ranks of the White Rats Actors' Union.

At the joint session of the E. C. of the A, F. of L. and the Executive Council of the Building Trades Department, A. F. of L., attention was called to the following resolution adopted by the latter named body:

Resolved, That the E. C. of the A. F. of L. be requested to insist upon central bodies chartered by the A.F. of L. observing the law that requires local building unions to affiliate with the building trades councils chartered by the department.

It was decided that upon complaint being received that a central body was not complying with the constitution of the A. F. of L., that it be immediately instructed that the constitution of the A. F. of L. requires that where building trades councils, affiliated to the department, exist, building trades locals must be affiliated with such councils in order to be eligible to representation in the central body of the same locality and vice versa.

At a joint meeting of the Executive Council of the Building Trades Department and the E. C. of the A. F. of L., full discussions of a number of important questions were held and requests made relative to A. F. of L. organizers, the non-affiliation of the Plasterers' International Union, the attitude of several central and State bodies relative to dual electrical workers and steamfitters, also as to the United Brotherhood of Carpenters having re-affiliated with the Building Trades Department, and the fact that a number of carpenters' locals are not part of the Building Trades Department Councils, the decision of the department regarding jurisdiction over metal trim, etc.. etc.

The E. C. decided that the executive officers of the A. F. of L. be authorized to comply with the requests of the Building Trades Department in accordance with constitutional provisions of the Federation and the department, and be helpful wherever possible in endeavoring to bring about satisfactory conditions.

The E. C. had under consideration the instructions of the Atlanta Convention in regard to activity in the presidential and congressional campaign of 1912. The instructions of the Atlanta Convention, unanimously adopted, are as follows:

"The E. C. is hereby further authorized and directed

to take such further action as its judgment may warrant to secure the enactment of such legislation at the forthcoming session of Congress as shall secure the legal status of the organized movement of the wageworkers for freedom from unjust discrimination in the exercise of their natural, normal, and constitutional rights through their voluntary associations. "And the E. C. is further authorized and directed that in the event of a failure on the part of Congress to enact the legislation which we herein seek at the hands of the Congress and the President to take such action as in its judgment the situation may warrant in the presidential and congressional elections of 1912."

The Council thoroughly discussed the instruction, also the legislation in furtherance of the rights and interests of labor, which has been enacted at the present session of Congress, and discussed further the situation in the political fleld as it exists today. The Council decided:

That the following program and policy as carried on by the A. F. of L. through the E. C. and conventions and the organized bodies of workers throughout the country, is hereby reaffirmed, and to be the program and policy to be pursued in the present campaign, in the election of candidates for President, Congressmen, State Legislators, in short, candidates for any political offices:

A. F. OF L. CAMPAIGN PROGRAM

Issued Under Date of July 22, 1906.

Events in the industrial affairs of our people have rapidly changed and are rapidly changing. The trade union movement, as expressed by the A. F. of L., has kept and proposes to keep pace therewith.

The wheels of industry can not be halted or turned back, nor should they be, even if that were possible. Welcoming industrial progress, labor must be ever alert to meet new conditions, recognizing that eternal vigilance is the price of industrial, as well as political, liberty.

The working people can not hope to maintain their rights or a progressive position in the varying phases of modern society unless they organize and exercise all those functions which, as workmen and citizens, it is their privilege and their duty to exercise.

Labor makes no demand upon government or society which is not equally accorded to all the people of our country. It can and will be satisfied with nothing less.

The position of organized labor upon the question of political action by the working class, their friends and sympathizers, has often been declared, but was more clearly set forth in the following declaration, unanimously adopted by the Nashville Convention of the A. F. of L., in 1897, and often reaffirmed since:

"Resolved, That the A. F. of L. most firmly and unequivocally favors the independent use of the ballot by the trade unionist and workmen, united regardless of party, that we may elect men from our own ranks to make new laws and administer them along the lines laid down in the legislative demands of the A. F. of L., and at the same time secure an impartial judiciary that will not govern us by arbitrary injunctions of the courts nor act as the pliant tools of corporate wealth.

Resolved, That as our efforts are centered against all forms of industrial slavery and economic wrong, we must also direct our utmost energies to remove all forms of political servitude and party slavery, to the end that the working people may act as a unit at the polls at every election.

We have been ever watchful to carry the purposes of that declaration into effect. At times we met with partial success, yet within the past few years claims and promises made in platforms or on the hustings by political parties and politicians, and especially by the present dominant party, have been neither justifled nor performed. Little attention has been paid to the enactment of laws prepared by us and presented to Congress for the relief of those wrongs and the attainment of those rights to which labor and the common people are justly entitled and which are essentially necessary for their welfare.

Several Presidents of the United States have, in their messages to Congress, urged the passage of equitable legislation in behalf of the working people, but Congress has been entirely preoccupied looking after the interests of vast corporations and predatory wealth.

Congressmen and Senators, in their frenzied rush after the almighty dollar, have been indifferent or hostile to the rights of man. They have had no time and

as little inclination to support the reasonable labor measures, the enactment of which we have urged, and which contained beneficent features for all our people without an obnoxious provision to any one.

Patience ceased to be a virtue, and on March 21, 1906, the representatives of labor presented a bill of grievances to the President and those responsible for legislation or the failure of legislation in Congress, reciting the failure or refusal of the party in power to adopt or enforce legislation in the interests of the toiling millions of our country. After setting forth labor's grievances and requests and urging early action, we closed that now famous document with this statement:

"But if, perchance, you may not heed us, we shall appeal to the conscience and support of our fellowcitizens.""

The relief asked for has not been granted. Congress has turned a deaf ear to the voice of the masses of our people; and, true to our declaration, we now appeal to the working people, aye, to all the American people unitedly, to demonstrate their determination that this republic of ours shall continue to be of, for and by the people, rather than of, for and by the almighty dollar.

The toiling masses of our country are as much, if not more, interested in good government than our fellow-citizens in other walks of life. In line with the contention herein stated, the A. F. of L. made its declaration of political policy as already quoted above. And in line therewith we hope, and have the right to expect, to arouse the citizenship of our common country, interested in good government, to the apathy or hostility of the party in power to the real interests of the people, so that men more honest, faithful, and progressive may be elected as the people's representatives.

Attention is called, not only to congressional and legislative indifference and hostility to the interests of labor, but also to the interests of the large mass of all our people. The press for months has been burdened with exposures of the corruption and graft in high circles. The great insurance companies, the trusts, the corporations, the so-called captains of industry have, indeed, become the owners of the legislators of our country. Public officials, many of whom have the cry of "stop thief!" nearest the tip of the tongue, have been elected through these very agencies and the contributions from them.

If it has come to a condition in this, the greatest and wealthiest nation on earth, that the almighty dollar is to be worshipped to an extent of forgetting principle, conscience, uprightness, and injustice, the time has arrived for labor and its friends to raise their voices in condemnation of such degeneracy, and to invite all reform forces to join with it in relegating indifference to the people's interests, corruption, and graft, to political oblivion; to raise the standard of legislation by the election of sincere, progressive, and honest men, who, while worshipping money less, will honor conscience, justice, and humanity more.

We recommend that central bodies and local unions proceed without delay by the election of delegates to meet in conference, or convention, to formulate plans to further the interests of this movement, and in accordance with the plan herein outlined at the proper time and in the proper manner nominate candidates who will unquestionably stand for the enactment into law of labor and progressive measures.

The first concern of all should be the positive defeat of those who have been hostile or indifferent to the just demands of labor. A stinging rebuke to them will benefit not only the toilers but the people of the entire country.

Wherever both parties ignore labor's legislative demands a straight labor candidate should be nominated, so that honest men may have the opportunity in exercising their franchise to vote according to their conscience instead of being compelled either to refrain from voting or to vote for the candidate and the party they must in their innermost souls despise.

Where a Congressman or State legislator has proven himself a true friend to the rights of labor he should be supported and no candidate nominated against him.

This movement must not degenerate into a scramble for office. It should be a determined effort, free, absolutely, from partisanship of every name and character, to secure the legislation we deem necessary and essential to the welfare and happiness of all our people. As the present objects of this movement are purely in the line of legislation, all efforts should be concentrated upon the election of members of Congress and the various State Legislatures.

To make this-our movement-the most effective the utmost care should be taken to nominate only such union men whose known intelligence, honesty, and faithfulness are conspicuous. They should be nominated as straight labor representatives, and stand and be supported as such by union men and their friends and sympathizers, irrespective of previous political affiliation.

Wherever it is apparent that an entirely independent labor candidate can not be elected, efforts should be made to secure such support by indorsement of candidates by the minority party in the districts, and by such other progressive elements as will insure the election of labor representatives.

All observers agree that the campaign of our fellowworkmen of Great Britain has had a wholesome effect upon the Government, as well as the interests of its wage-earners, and the people generally of that country. In the last British elections fifty-four trade unionists were elected to Parliament. If the British workmen, with their limited franchise, accomplished so much by their united action, what may we in the United States not do with universal suffrage?

In order to systematically carry out the policy and work necessary to this campaign, the E. C. of the A. F. of L. has selected the following members as the "Labor Representation Committee:"Samuel Gompers, James O'Connell, Frank Morrison.

Those earnestly engaged in our movement must, we repeat, be guided by the fact that the principles for which we stand must be of primary consideration, and office secondary. We ask our fellow-workers and friends to respond to this call and to make of it a popular uprising of honest men, and to see to it that the best, most conscientious men of labor or their supporters are chosen as their representatives.

Reports and returns should be made to the headquarters of the Labor Representation Committee (which will be located in the offices of the A. F. of L.), who will give the best possible information and advice on uniform procedure.

Whatever vantage-ground or improved conditions have come to the workers of our country were not brought to them on silver platters; they are the result of their better organization and their higher intelligence; the sacrifices they have made and the industrial battle-scars of many contests. The progress of the toilers has not been due to kindness or consideration at the hands of the powers that be, but achieved in spite of the combined bitter hostility of mendacious greed, corporate corruption, legislative antagonism and judicial usurpation.

Labor men of America, assert your rights; and in addition to strengthening your faith and loyalty to your organization on the economic field, exercise your full rights of citizenship in the use of your ballot. Elect honest men to Congress and to other halls of legislation, and by so doing you will more completely and fully carry out your obligations as union men, and more than ever merit the respect of your fellowcitizens.

Labor demands a distinctive and larger share in the governmental affairs of our country; it demands Justice; it will be satisfied with nothing less.

The following closing paragraphs of the protest issued at the protest conference participated in by the representatives of the international unions with the E.C. March 18, 1908, were adopted by the 1908 convention:

'As the authorized representatives of the organized wage-earners of our country, we present to you in the most conservative and earnest manner that protest against the wrongs which they have to endure and some of the rights and relief to which they are justly entitled. There is not a wrong for which we seek redress, or a right to which we aspire, which does not or will not be equally shared by all the workers-by all the people.

"While no member of Congress or party can evade or avoid his or their own individual or party share of responsibility, we aver that the party in power must and will by labor and its sympathizers be held primarily responsible for the failure to give the prompt, full, and effective Congressional relief we know to be within its power.

"We come to you not as political partisans, whether Republican, Democratic, or other, but as representatives of the wage-workers of our country whose rights, interests, and welfare have been jeopardized and flagrantly, woefully disregarded and neglected. We come to you because you are responsible for legislation or the failure of legislation. If these, or new questions, are unsettled, and any other political party

becomes responsible for legislation, we shall press home upon its representatives and hold them responsible, equally as we now must hold you."

This protest and demand were signed by the E. C. and by the officers and representatives of the very large number of international unions participating in the conference. Labor's "Protest to Congress," was published in the April (1908) AMERICAN FEDERATIONIST.

The same conference adopted an "Address to Organized Labor and Farmers of the Country." In that address the same signers declared that;

"We have appealed to Congress for the necessary relief we deem essential to safeguard the interests and rights of the toilers.

"WE NOW CALL UPON THE WORKERS OF OUR
COMMON COUNTRY TO

"STAND FAITHFULLY BY OUR FRIENDS,
"OPPOSE AND DEFEAT OUR ENEMIES, WHETHER
THEY BE

"CANDIDATES FOR PRESIDENT,

"FOR CONGRESS, OR OTHER OFFICES, WHETHER "EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE, OR JUDICIAL.

"Each candidate should be questioned and pledged as to his attitude upon all subjects of importance to the toilers, whether of factory, farm, field, shop or mine. "We again renew and hereby declare our complete and abiding faith in the trade union movement to successfully accomplish the amelioration of economic conditions befitting all of our people. The historical past of our movement, its splendid achievements in labor's behalf, and magnificent present standing warrants the assertion and justifies our prediction for its future success.

"We, the representatives of the national and international trade unions and farmers' organizations, represented in this conference, call upon the E. C. and upon all labor to use every possible legitimate effort to secure for the workers their inalienable liberties and their proper recognition as a vital portion of the fabric of our civilization. We pledge ourselves to use every lawful and honorable effort to carry out the policy agreed upon at this conference. We pledge our industrial, political, financial, and moral support to our own members and to our friends wherever found, not only for the present time, but for the continuous effort which may be necessary for success. We pledge ourselves to carry on this work until every industrial and political activity of the workers is guaranteed its permanent place and usefulness in the progress of our country.

"LET LABOR NOT FALTER FOR ONE INSTANT; THE MOST GRAVE AND MOMENTOUS CRISIS EVER FACED BY THE WAGE-WORKERS OF OUR COUNTRY IS NOW

UPON US.

"OUR INDUSTRIAL RIGHTS HAVE BEEN SHORN FROM US AND OUR LIBERTIES ARE THREATENED. "IT RESTS WITH EACH OF US TO MAKE THE MOST EARNEST, IMPRESSIVE, AND LAW-ABIDING EFFORT THAT LIES WITHIN OUR POWER TO RESTORE THESE LIBERTIES AND SAFEGUARD OUR RIGHTS FOR THE FUTURE IF WE ARE TO SAVE THE WORKERS AND MAYHAP EVEN THE NATION ITSELF FROM THREATENED DISASTER.

"THIS IS NOT A TIME FOR IDLE FEAR.

"LET EVERY MAN BE UP AND DOING. ACTION CONSISTENT, ACTION PERSISTENT, ACTION INSISTENT IS THE WATCH WORD."

It was decided that the political program be prepared on the foregoing basis, and it was further decided that when the political program is prepared in accordance with that outline, that copy be mailed to each member of the E. C., so that any amendments may be proposed.

President Gompers, Vice-President O'Connell, and Secretary Morrison were re-appointed as the Labor Representation Committee of the A. F. of L.

The E. C. expressed its appreciation of the splendid service of the Labor Group in Congress.

The plan as outlined by President Gompers for a Labor Forward Movement was approved.*

President Gompers' report relative to office building for the A. F. of L. was referred to the next meeting of the E. C.

NOTE.-The plan is printed in this issue of the AMERICAN FEDERATIONIST.-S. G.

The report of Secretary Morrison on the matter of a weekly newspaper was referred to the next meeting of the E. C.

The E. C. was advised that the re-trial of the Hatters' case would commence August 19, 1912.

On the matter of the claim of jurisdiction of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Stablemen, and Chauffeurs over members of Newspaper and Mail Deliverers' Union No. 9463, of New York City, it was directed that the instruction of the Atlanta Convention that the drivers and chauffeurs in that union be turned over to the teamsters, be complied with.

On the matter of the jurisdiction controversy between the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the International Union of United Brewery Workmen, it was directed that a conference be arranged before September 6, 1912, to meet at Cincinnati, between representatives of the United Brewery Workmen and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters with Vice-President Alpine representing the A. F. of L.

Action on the application of the International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite, and Paper Mill Workers to extend its jurisdiction to cover bag, box, and envelope workers, was deferred until the next meeting, in the meantime detailed information be secured in regard to what this application for extended jurisdiction covers.

President Alpine of the United Association of Plumbers, Gas and Steam Fitters entered protest against the steamfitters' locals of the "International Association of Steam and Hot Water Fitters" being retained in the Chicago Federation of Labor.

President Gompers was directed to inform the Chicago Federation of Labor to unseat the steamfitters' local union affiliated to the "I. A."

The application of the International Printing Pressmen and Assistants' Union to extend its jurisdiction over newsboys, carriers, and such other unorganized workmen in the employment of newspapers not claimed by the jurisdiction of another international organization, was referred to the E. C. meeting at the Rochester Convention for conference with the representatives of the printing trades unions.

The application of the piano and organ workers for assistance for members of their organization of Fort Wayne, Ind., locked out by the Packard Piano Company, and for the endorsement of the E. C. upon their wage increase movement in New York, was referred to President Gompers for such action as could be taken.

It was decided that the matter of the United Board of Business Agents of Building Trades Council of Manhattan and their refusal to enforce the decision of the E. C. in the steamfitters' controversy be called to the attention of the Building Trades Department of the A. F. of L., and that an early date be set for a conference of representatives of the building trades unions of New York City in conjunction with the representatives of the E. C. of the A. F. of L. and the E. C. of the Building Trades Department for the purpose of having the building trades unions of New York City so organized that united action can be secured in accordance with the constitutions of the A. F. of L. and the Building Trades Department.

On the matter of the New Orleans, La., Central Trades and Labor Council to reinstate the musicians' local union, on account of alleged failure of the musiclans' local to co-operate with the stage employes in the matter of signing up contracts with the Tulane and Crescent Theaters, the E. C. directed that President Gompers notify the Central Trades and Labor Council of New Orleans to seat the Musicians' Union.

The matter of the complaint of Typographical Local Union, No. 17, of New Orleans, La., against the Central Trades and Labor Council of that city, authorizing the publication of a Labor Day souvenir, which the typographical union alleges is a fake advertising scheme, was referred to President Gompers for further correspondence and action thereon.

President Gompers was directed to advise the San Francisco Labor Council that correspondence on the

matter of Web Pressmen's Local, No. 4, should be taken up through the international officers of that local.

Action on the charter application of Harbor No. 1 Masters, Mates, and Pilots, San Francisco, Cal., was deferred.

On the matter of the lockout of members of Fu Dressers' Union No. 13,185 of New York City, by the Manhattan Fur Dressing and Dyeing Company, i directed that benefits be paid to the members af fected, if after investigation, it is shown that they are entitled to them.

Action on the strike of members of Federal Labo Union No. 11,617, of Herrin, Ill., to enforce new wage agreement was deferred for investigation.

The E. C. of the A. F. of L. having before it the letter of acting international Secretary of the Secretariat Mr. Johan Sassenbach, relative to the conference to be held at Zurich, Switzerland, for the purpose of con sidering action on the subject of "Home Work," ex presses its regret that more definite information is not at hand. However, it would have been im practical for the A. F. of L. to be represented at this Zurich Congress. Despite the enforced absence of any representative of the American National Trade Union Centre (the A. F. of L.) at this Congress, the E. C. de clares that "Home Work," as it is understood and car ried on as part of modern industry, is uneconomic demoralizing to the men, women, and children en gaged in it, makes impossible through application o enforcement of sanitary conditions of work, reason able regulation of the hours of labor or the laws limiting or abolishing child labor; that the entire tendency of "Home Work" is calculated to frustrate the humanitarian work of the labor movement for the protection and promotion of the rights and interests of the working people, and particularly detrimenta to womanhood and childhood. The E. C., therefore endorses and will aid to the fullest of its ability the abolition of "Home Work" as it is understood in this declaration.

On the matter of attitude of the A. F. of L. on the Boy Scout Movement, it was decided that the docu ments, etc., be referred to the resident members of the E. C., with request to furnish a report to the nex meeting of the E. C.

It was directed that efforts be continued for the con servation of natural resources, and that a report b made to the Rochester Convention on the subject.

It was directed that an investigation be made of th application for benefits from the Tobacco Strippers Union, No. 10,422, of Denver, Colo., whose members ar involved in a lockout as a result of the cigarmakers strike against the Solis Cigar Co., and benefits paid i it be found the members are entitled thereto.

Mr. Frank Duffy acted as the representative of the A. F. of L. at the second (as well as the first) confer ence between the representatives of the Teamster and Bakery and Confectionery Workers, held Augus 12, 1912, in Chicago. His report and recommendations were submitted and approved by the E. C., as follows "I therefore again recommend that Resolution No 13 be concurred in by the E. C. of the A. F. of L., and that the President and E. C. of the A. F. of L. put int force and effect the decision of the Atlanta Conven tion, that in one craft there must be one organization only.

"I further recommend that after this is done, a con ference of the representatives of both organization be held for the purpose of arriving at an agreemen governing the relationship of one organization to th other on the matters hereinbefore mentioned.

Charter application of the Bootblacks' Protectiv Union of Great Falls, Mont., was granted.

Action on the charter application of the Newspape Circulators' Union of Chicago, Ill., was deferred, an the matter referred to the conference of the repre sentatives of the Printing Trades Unions to meet a Rochester during the convention.

The matter of the 'recommendations of Organizer Hugh Frayne in regard to amendments to constitution, providing for certain regulations governing initiation fees and due stamps for local unions, was referred to President Gompers and Secretary Morrison to make report upon the same to the next meeting of the E. C.

The communication from the Newspaper Carriers' Union of San Francisco, Cal., asking to be informed as to their status in the labor movement as a craft working on a commission basis, was referred to President Gompers and Secretary Morrison to make reply as soon as reply has been received from the officers of the Allied Printing Trades.

The application of the Journeymen Tailors' Union that local unions of cleaners, pressers, and dyers holding charters direct from the A. F. of L. be transferred to their international was approved.

Chairman Perham of the Railway Employes' Department made an oral report in regard to the successful work done by the department.

The following telegram was received:

OLEAN, N. Y., August 14, 1912. FRANK MORRISON, Secretary, A. F. of L.,

Islesworth Hotel, Atlantic City, N. J.: The Thirty-sixth Annual Convention of the Glass Bottle Blowers' Association desire to inform you that the terms of the agreement made with the American Flint Glass Workers' Union are about to be complied with and put into effect, and we are instructed to advise you that our protest against the flint glass workers receiving a charter of affiliation with the A. F. of L. is hereby withdrawn.

D. A. HAYES, President.

Attest: WM. LAUNER, Secretary.

On the matter of the protest of the International Association of Machinists against the issuance of charter to American Flint Glass Workers by the A. F. of L. until question relative to jurisdiction over mold making is adjusted, it was decided that a conference be called of representatives of the glass bottle blowers, flint glass workers, and the machinists, at the earliest possible date, looking to arriving at an adjustment of the question as to which organization has jurisdiction over the making of molds.

On the application for financial assistance for the Free Speech Campaign of San Diego, Cal., it was held that the A. F. of L. is constantly contending for the right of free speech, and will continue its work in that field.

The application of the Brotherhood of Railway Express Messengers for jurisdiction over platform men, duties defined as handling express to and from trains to house, also to help check the express in and out of cars, was referred to the next meeting of the E. C.

The matter of the controversy between the International Union of Steam Engineers and the Brick, Tile and Terra Cotta Workers, relative to jurisdiction over the men who operate the electric machines in brick yards was referred to the next meeting of the E. C.

Secretary Morrison was directed to communicate with President Perkins, of the Cigarmakers' International Union, on the charter application of the National Stogiemakers, and ask if definite action can not be taken at the Cigarmakers' forthcoming convention.

On the communication from John Fitzpatrick, President of the Chicago Federation of Labor, relative to the dispute between the International Longshoremen's Association and the licensed Tugmen of Chicago, in which the E. C. is urged to appoint a sub-committee to go to Chicago, to hear evidence which the officers and members of the Chicago locals, suspended by the international have to submit in defense of their union, it directed that the officers of the International Longshoremen's Association be invited, together with representatives of the Chicago Federation of Labor and the licensed Tugmen of Chicago, to meet with a subcommittee of the E. C. of the A. F. of L. for the purpose of a conference relative to the suspended locals.

The charter application of the Soda and Mineral Water Bottlers' Union of Minneapolis, Minn., was granted.

On the application of the Metal Polishers, Buffers, Platers, etc., for change of title to include Silver Workers the E. C. approved the charter being granted with the following title: Metal Polishers, Buffers, Platers, Brass and Silver Workers' Union of North America. In regard to the jurisdiction specified, the A. F. of L. does not concede jurisdiction over special classes of work, but the Metal Polishers have the privilege of publishing the jurisdiction claimed in the book of instructions to organizers.

The request of President O'Connell of the Metal Trades Department for the assistance of two A. F. of L. organizers to organize the shipyards at Newport News and Camden was complied with, the corps of salaried organizers now employed by the A. F. of L. to be drawn upon for that work.