Amended Section Fifteen:

the A. F. of L.

Constitution of

Laws Governing Departments.

SECTION 1. For the greater development of the labor movement, departments subordinate to the American Federation of Labor are to be established from time to time as in the judgment of the American Federation of Labor, or of its Executive Council, may be deemed advisable. Each department is to manage and finance its own affairs.

SEC. 2. To be entitled to representation in any department, organizations eligible to join it must first be and remain in affiliation to the American Federation of Labor.

SEC. 3. To be entitled to representation in local councils, or railway system federations of departments, local unions are required to be part of affiliated national or international unions affiliated to departments, or directly affiliated to the American Federation of Labor. Said local unions shall first be and remain in affiliation to central labor unions chartered by the American Federation of Labor.

SEC. 4. The fundamental laws and procedure of each department are to conform to, and be administered in the same manner as the laws and procedure governing the American Federation of Labor. No department, local council or railway system federation of same shall enact laws, rules, or regulations in conflict with the laws and procedure of the American Federation of Labor, and in the event of change of laws and procedure of the latter, department, local councils, and railway system federations are to change their laws and procedure to conform thereto.

SEC. 5. Each department to be considered the official method of the American Federation of Labor for transacting the portion of its business indicated by the name of the department, in consequence of which affffiliated and eligible organizations should be part of their respective departments and should comply with their actions and decisions, subject to appeal therefrom to the Executive Council and the conventions of the American Federation of Labor. When an organization has interests in departments other than the one of its principal affiliation, in which it shall pay per capita tax upon its entire membership, it is to be represented in and pay per capita tax to the other departments upon the number of members whose occupations come under such other departments, but this in no instance shall be less than 20 per cent. of the membership upon which it pays per capita tax to the American Federation of Labor.

SEC. 6. Departments of the American Federation of Labor are to have their headquarters located in the city of Washington, D. C., and if possible in the same building with the headquarters of the American Federation of Labor, unless there are reasons to the contrary satisfactory to the Executive Council of the American Federation of Labor.

SEC. 7. Departments of the American Federation of Labor shall hold their conventions immediately after the convention of the American Federation of Labor and in the same city where the convention of the American Federation of Labor is held, at which time and place their laws and procedure shall be made to conform to the laws and procedure of the American Federation of Labor and to go into effect the first day of January immediately following, to conform to the date when the laws and procedure of the American Federation of Labor go into effect. For reasons of transportation, expediency and the methods of representation the Railroad, Metal Trades and Mining Departments may hold conventions at other dates and places, and in that event said departments shall authorize their executive boards to have said departments' laws conform to the preceding portion of this section.

SEC. 8. The Executive Council of each department shall consist of not more than seven members, including the executive officer or officers thereof. This not to apply to or interfere with the procedure on this subject found to be essential in the Railway Department.

SEC. 9. The officers of each department shall report to the Executive Council of the American Federation of Labor that the department has conformed to the laws precedure and actions of the American Federation of Labor as they affect each department.

SEC. 10. In the Building Trades Department (on the basis of its law of 1913), organizations having seven or more delegates, each such delegate shall on roll call be entitled to two votes. A roll call shall be held upon the demand of one-fourth of all delegates whose credentials have been accepted and who have been seated in the conventions. SEC. 11. Tho officers of the various departments shall submit a quarterly report to the Executive Council of the American Federation of Labor of the work done by their department, and its general conditions.

SEC. 12. At all regular meetings of the Executive Council of the American Federation of Labor, there shall be present, during some period of the Council meeting, the executive officer or officers of each department, to take up with the Council matters that may be of mutual interest.

SEC. 13. A page of each issue of the American Federationist to be available to and to be used by each department for official report or for publication of some subject identified with the department, each department to designate its officer to submit the report.

Resolved, That Article XV of this constitution as adopted by this convention shall go into full force and effect and be a part of the constitution of the A. F. of L., on and after March 1, 1915. And in the meantime, that is, up to said March 1, 1915, Article XV of the constitution of the A. F. of L., as it now exists, shall be in full force and effect.

The above article, adopted by the convention, defines the powers, duties and functions of departments, their relation to the Federation and to international unions eligible to affiliate, also prescribes the conditions to govern the affiliation of local unions with local councils, with system federations and with local central bodies.

The provision of prime importance is that affiliation with a department is no longer compulsory. An international union may affiliate with a department to which it is eligible or may remain unaffiliated, as it sees fit. The law states that internationals "should" affiliate with the departments to which they are eligible, but does not say that they "shall." To be entitled to admission to a department, however, an organization must be and remain affiliated to the American Federation of Labor. A department may admit an international union to affiliation or may decline to do so as it sees fit.

Affiliation of eligible local unions to local councils or to system federations is dependent upon the affiliation of their in

ternational union with the department and upon their affiliation with the local central body.

The laws of each department must conform to those of the Federation and be amended from time to time to maintain such conformity. This emphasizes the subordinate nature of the department; its laws, its policy and its proceedings are subject to review and modification or nullification by the Federation.

It is expected that an international union will comply with decisions of the department to which it is affiliated. Section 5 states that it "should" do so, but this is not compulsory and the action or decision of the department may be appealed from to the Executive Council and the next convention.

The new laws go into effect March 1, 1915, by which time each department is expected to have amended its constitution and by-laws so that they will be in harmony with the laws of the Federation.

As decisions of departments are not mandatory and as the convention virtually decided that in future the Federation shall not make decisions but merely hand down opinions, it is expected that jurisdictional disputes will be largely eliminated. Organizations will be expected to adjust their contentions themselves and not endeavor to involve outsiders in their struggles for jurisdiction nor to occupy the time of conventions with matters of interest only to those directly affected. This change in the fundamental law of the Federation and its departments is expected to lead to the reaffiliation of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners to the Building Trades Department. The basis of representation in that Department is changed so that hereafter the carpenters, if they return, will be entitled to twice the representation of any other organization in affiliation.

Fraternal Delegates.

M. M. Donoghue, president of the Montana Federation of Labor and fraternal delegate to the Canadian Trades and Labor Congress, in an highly interesting report, praised the vigorous and effective manner in which our Canadian brothers agitate and press to enactment labor legislation in the provincial legislatures and the Dominion Parliament-the principle function of the Congress, as industrial affairs, including jurisdictional disputes, are left entirely in the hands of the A. F. of L. In tribute to the manly independence of our Canadian fellow unionists and to their loyalty to the international trade union movement

said:

he

READ THIS CAREFULLY

Over 700 Brotherhood Painters

have successfully mastered our courses of practical decorative painting in the various branches and a great many of them have become contracting decorators. The demand for first-class decoArrators is increasing, and with it the wages. tistic work is easier and more pleasant to do and not a drudgery. By learning the practical decorative art you do not step out of your line of business, you acquire a knowledge of the high-| er grades of your profession. Efficiency is the keynote to success in every business. We teach the practical decorative art in all its branches successfully by correspondence, you can acquire! the greatest skill practicing at home during your spare hours at a very reasonable cost.

This is the only Academy of its kind in existence, and we give a synopsis of the different Courses in full. The student always knows how far the next set of lessons will advance him, and he pays only for what he actually gets at a time, and we guarantee to refund the money if our lessons are not as represented, or if the student is unable to learn from them.

This Academy has long passed the experimental stages, being in existence over six years. Send 2 Cents (stamps) for complete and illustrated prospectus and literature; it will surely interest you. Write today and grasp this opportunity to better your condition and become independent.

Chas. Kraut Academy of Decorative Art

819-821 No. Trumbull Avenue,
CHICAGO, ILL.

They

"A very effective demonstration of that loyalty was manifested when the Minister of Labor tried to create a sentiment in the minds of the Canadian workingmen against their brothers in the United States. promptly and firmly, in his presence, disapproved his actions. I found them sincere and progressive, honest and vigorous, broadminded and tolerant, with an intelligent grasp upon conditions confronting them, with the manhood to fairly, impartially and honestly endeavor to solve each and every problem presented to them."

This loyal and progressive spirit permeated and inspired the able address of the franternal delegate from the Congress-Alderman Rigg of Winnipeg a scholarly statement of trade union theory, of methods, and analysis of industrial and social conditions in the Dominion. Speaking of the war in which Canada, as a part of the British Empire, is involved-many thousands of Canadian trade unionists are at the fronthe said:

"A new spirit of patriotism has been awakened in the minds and has stirred in the hearts of the trade-union movement of this century, a spirit of patriotism based upon the fact of the common interests of the wage earners of the world. While we regret exceedingly that that spirit has not been sufficiently developed vet to have

averted that murderous carnage that is taking place on the fields of Europe.

"I am not going to discuss the war in any of its phases, but I do want to say just this word-I think I ought to say it-that coming from Canada and knowing that there are present in this convention two wellknown representatives of the British Trade Union Congress, I think I speak that which the Canadian Trades and Labor Congress would have me speak, and that I also voice the sentiment of our British brothers when I say that it is the fervent hope and desire of our hearts that this bloody conflict should be brought to a speedy termination and those international relations fostered by our movement again be established and promoted."

Women's Label League.

The splendid work of the Women's International Label League was effectively described by its president, Miss Anna Fitzgerald, who pleaded for greater consistency on the part of men trades unionists.

Organizing Women Workers.

The aggressive struggle for the unionizing of women wage earners has been pressed with ever greater enthusiasm. Miss Mary Drier told of the invasion of the industries by women; of women stack painters, bricklayers, carpenters, foundry workers and engineers, of the few as yet organized, of the pitiful wages that the great majority of them receive and of the splendid work accomplished by the enthusiastic women of the Trade Union League. In a few words she explained the peculiar difficulties of the problem and the only way to solve it:

"Women have the individualistic point of view; they have never had to act collectively, and what we need to get for them is a new mind, a new understanding of what it means to act collectively."

The New Slavery.

Mrs. Sarah Conboy graphically described the unbearable conditions under which the textile workers of the south toil and the revolting conditions amidst which they live. She told of children that have never learned to smile, so dreary is their life, so hopeless their outlook. The convention expressed its admiration of the splendid struggle made by the Atlanta workers and pledged them moral and financial support.

The Churches and the Workers. "The Emancipation of Labor" was the subject of an eloquent address by the Rev. Samuel Zane Batten, representing the Federated Council of the Churches of Christ of America.

Mr. Walter George Smith, a benevolent elderly gentleman, a member of the legal profession, spoke for the American Federation of Catholic Societies. He referred to

the encyclical on labor of the late Pope Leo XIII and pleaded for industrial peace.

It was in reply to these addresses that President Gompers defined the position and attitude of the trade union movement toward the employers and toward all institutions that interest themselves in industrial and social problems, declaring the intention of organized labor to work out its own salvation in its own way and to depend upon its own intelligence and strength for the accomplishment of its aims and purposes-the establishment of industrial liberty and economic justice.

The convention later decided that the Elevator Constructors should be permitted to retain their identity as a distinct and separate organization, with the understanding that they will assist in the organization of the elevator builder by refusing, wherever possible, to install non-union material.

Carpenters vs. Sheet Metal Workers.

After ten days' deliberation, the committee of nine appointed by the convention to adjust the dispute over the erection of sheet metal trim, reported failure, but recommended that the conferences be continued by a committee of four, to consist of President Gompers for the Federation, President Williams for the Building Trades Department, President Kirby of the Carpenters and President Hynes of the Sheet Metal Workers, they to make a thorough study of the material and the conditions surrounding its installation and reach an understanding that will be acceptable to all concerned. The convention concurred unanimously in the recommendation. President Hynes stated that the Sheet Metal Workers were absolutely satisfied with the

report and recommendation of the committee, but qualified this by adding that he believed that "the committee will be unanimously of the opinion that it is purely and solely a Sheet Metal Workers' proposition." President Kirby declared that the carpenters "welcome an investigation and we will abide by any fair and unbiased decision that may be rendered for or against us." These rather unpromising statements were perhaps dictated by the unwillingness of either side to exhibit what might be interpreted as weakness.

Marble Worker-Bricklayer.

The struggle of the Marble Worker to preserve his independence against the aggressive attempt of the Bricklayer to secure control of marble setting was endorsed. Central bodies and local building trades councils were instructed to exclude Bricklayers' locals from affiliation and all organizations affiliated to the A. F. of L. were instructed to refrain from striking in support of the Bricklayers' and Masons' International Union.

Moving Picture Operators.

The desire of the moving picture operators to remain affiliated with the Theatrical Stage Employees rather than with the Brotherhood of Electrical Workers was granted.

The Eight-Hour Day.

The attitude of the convention on this subject was somewhat inconsistent and acrobatic. The Seattle convention endorsed the submission, by initiative, to the voters of the states of Oregon, Washington and California, of measures to establish an eighthour day by legal enactment. The Philadelphia convention reconsidered and reversed this action and ruled that the eighthour day for men-other than government employes and those engaged in unhealthful occupations-should be established exclusively through trade-union activity and not by political action.

At the same time the Executive Council was instructed to secure the amendment of the Federal Eight-Hour Law so that it will apply to all materials used on or in government work-the erection of public buildings, the building of warships, the construction of breakwaters, dams and

other public works. The convention also expressed its gratification at the incorporation in the Alaska Coal Land Bill of a provision establishing an eight-hour day for miners, and instructed the Executive Council to assist in the enactment of the bill providing the eight-hour, day for railroad telegraphers. The convention also approved the recommendation of the Committee on a Shorter Workday that "where women's eight-hour laws already exist, agitation should immediately begin for the enactment of general eight-hour laws."

This straddle of the subject was undoubtedly due to the position taken by President Gompers in his statement of the policy of the American Federation of Labor made before the Federal Commission on Industrial Relations and born of his inherent dislike of governmental interference in industrial affairs, his ardent desire that the workers shall establish and control the working conditions by their economic strength and his ambition to increase the power and the prestige of the Federation. International Trade Unionism.

International trade unions were urged to establish closer relations with the trades unions of their crafts in other countries so that the common interests of the workers of the world may be the better understood and greater unity of action and more complete co-operation be established.

Consistent Unionism.

While refusing to establish dual organizations, the convention expressed its regret and disapproval of the attitude of the railroad Brotherhoods and other unions that are unaffiliated with the Federation. The resolution is worthy of preservation and is therefore made a part of this report:

It is true that the American Federation of Labor is a voluntary association of the organized workers of America and that no compulsory features attach to affiliation, yet it appears to the American Federation of Labor that it is the duty and moral obligation upon the men of all organized labor to be in full affiliation to the American Federation of Labor, to bear their share of the responsibilities and the obligations as well as to share in the achievements and advantages; we hold that it is morally wrong for a wage earner to remain outside the fold of the union of his trade or calling; that it is morally wrong for a local union of the trade or calling to remain isolated from the international or national union thereof, and it can but be morally wrong for such a national or interna