Legislative Committee Report. WASHINGTON, D. C., April 18, 1912. SAMUEL GOMPERS, President, American Federation of Labor. DEAR SIR AND BROTHER: Since last reporting, under date of January 18, many new bills of interest to labor have been introduced in Congress and some progress has been made upon measures in which the workers are interested; the following report having reference to the most important subjects: Anti-trust and Injunction Limitation Measures.-The House Committee on Judicary gave extended hearings to the representatives of labor and a variety of opponents, after which the bill, H. R. 11032, was referred to a sub-committee. The subcommittee made its final report to the full committee on April 3, 1912, at which time the subcommittee reported a bill of a composite character, which contained amendments to the present procedure of the issuance of injunctions and made definite the provisions for the payment of damages by parties wrongfully enjoined; it being generally understood that the foregoing provisions dealt distinctly with the legitimate use of the injunctive power to conserve property rights by the equity courts. The balance of the measure recommended by the sub-committee is in harmony with such sections of the bill advocated and urged by labor and would secure personal rights from judicial interference by equity power. It also contains a provision making it necessary for the courts to serve injunctions on persons affected and not permitting the courts to abuse the injunctive writ as heretofore, by making them apply to any one person or everybody under a sweeping generalization. The sub-committee struck from the bill advocated by labor the provision defining "conspiracy," and the provision exempting labor and associations not for profit from the provisions of the Anti-Trust act. This composite bill was agreed to on April 3 by a vote of 18 to 6. Up to the writing of this report the Judiciary Committee has not yet reported the measure to the House. On April 11 Senator Bacon of Georgia introduced S. 6266, which has been referred to the Senate Committee on Education and Labor, and Representative Bartlett of Georgia introduced H. R. 23189, which was referred to the House Committee on Labor. These bills are identical. They cover every material contention made by labor for absolute relief from the Anti-Trust act, and fro m interference by the injunctive writ with personal relations of employers and employes. Much interest is manifested in these bills by Members of Congress, and in view of the fact that they are referred to the Committees on Labor, the possibility is brighter for obtaining prompt, affirmative action than would be if these propositions were before the Committees on Judiciary. On April 17 the House Committee on to the House with the recommendation that it do pass. Contempt Bill.-The House Committee on Judiciary agreed on April 3 to report out the Clayton Contempt Bill, H. R. 22591, which bill makes it possible to obtain a trial by jury in cases coming before a court under a charge of indirect contempt. Convict Labor.-On March 4, 1912, the House of Representatives passed the Booher Bill, H. R. 5601, by practically an unanimous vote, no division being taken. This measure is now before the Senate Committee on Judiciary. No action has yet been taken by that committee. This bill when enacted into law will authorize the States which have or may enact legislation to protect its citizens from the evil effects of convict labor, to prohibit the importation and sale of the product of convict labor of other States, and because such other States would be required to sell or consume the product of their own convicts within their own boundaries, humane and practical legislation would necessarily follow in such States. Children's Bureau Bill.-The bill, S. 252, passed the Senate January 31, 1912, by a vote of 54 for to 20 against and 17 "not voting." It passed the House April 2, 1912, by a vote of 178 for to 17 against, 7 answering "present," and 190 "not voting." It has been approved by the President. Civil Service Employes.-The Lloyd bill, H. R. 5970, which has been so strongly urged, is still before the House Committee on Reform in the Civil Service. The La Follette bill, S. 1162, is also still in the hands of the Senate Committee on Civil Service. No definite action has yet been taken on these bills by either committee. The House Committee on Post-office and Post-roads has, however, included all the essentials of these bills in the Appropriation Bill reported March 4, 1912, for the Post-office Department (H. R. 21279), and may be found in section 6 thereof. This bill is now before the House in Committee of the Whole, and it is confidently expected that this provision will be acceptable to the House and passed. Meanwhile the President, on April 8, issued an Executive Order, abrogating the "gag" rule issued by former President Roosevelt, January 31, 1902, and amended by him, January 25, 1906, and further extended by President Taft, November 26, 1909. The new order issued by the President permits officers or employes in the Civil Service to address communications to the Congress or any member thereof, providing it is transmitted through the heads of the respective departments. It is obligatory upon such officials to forward such petitions or communications to the Congress without delay, with such comment as they may deem requisite. Evidently the President has seen a great light, but his modified order falls far short of restoring to the Civil Service employes of the Government the natural and political rights which the American Federation of Labor is striving to obtain for such employes. Organized labor and all liberty-loving citizens will continue their efforts to restore full citizenship rights to all government employes. Department of Labor.-The bill H. R. 22913, by Mr. Sulzer of New York, has been introduced to take the place of his original bill, H. R. No. 13, providing for a Department of Labor with a Secretary at its head, who shall be a member of the President's Cabinet. The Committee on Labor, to which the new bill was referred, agreed on April 5 to report it favorably to the House. This report will be formally made in a few days, and as most of the representatives interviewed on this subject appear to regard it favorably, early enactment of the measure is confidently expected. Eight Hours.-The Eight-Hour bill, H. R. 9601, which passed the House December 14, 1911, was held up in the Senate Committee on Education and Labor until the patience of that committee was exhausted by repetition of statements and so-called arguments by attorneys and special pleaders of the National Association of Manufacturers; the Founders' Association; the National Metal Trades' Association, and other elements associated with "big business." On April 5 the committee decided without a dissenting vote, to report the bill favorably to the Senate as it passed the House and without amendment. Senator Borah, Chairman of the committee, promptly wrote the report for the committee (known as Senate report No. 601), and submitted it to the Senate April 11, 1912. The bill is now upon the Senate Calendar and can be called up at any time under the rules. Eight-Hour Provision in Fortification Bill.While this measure was before the committees for argument and consideration, the Legislative Committees of the American Federation of Labor and the Metal Trades organizations obtained an eight-hour amendment to the Fortifications Appropriation bill, in the sections providing for the manufacture of ordnance and powder. When that measure passed the House, February 16, 1912, this eight hour provision was kept intact in the bill, and when the bill passed the Senate, on March 20, the eight-hour provisions were not changed. Eight Hours for Post-Office Clerks.-The Reilly Eight-Hour bill for Post-office clerks and letter carriers was unanimously reported out of committee and included in the appropriation bill for the Post-office Department, H. R. 21279, reported out of committee March 4, 1912, and may be found in section 5. This appropriation bill is now before the House in Committee of the Whole, and the prospects look very favorable to the enactment of a strict eight-hour provision for Post office clerks and letter carriers. Employers' Liability and Workmen's Compensation. The Federal Commission which has had this subject under consideration during the past year reported its findings to the President on Feb-1 ruary 20, 1912, and at the same time reported a final draft of the bill. Mr. Sutherland, Chairman of the Commission, introduced bill S. 5382 in the Senate, and Mr. Brantley, a member of the Commission, introduced H. R. 20487 in the House; both of which were referred to the appropriate committees on the Judiciary. The Senate Committee on Judiciary made a favorable report with some amendments, on April 3, 1912, since which time the bill has been under discussion on several occa sions. Prospects look favorable for the passage of this measure during this session of Congress. The Government Employes' Compensation for Injuries Act, approved May, 1908, which was amended by the House December 6, 1911, by extending its provisions to the employes in the new Bureau of Mines, was amended by the Senate, agreed to in conference, reported out and accepted by the House and Senate on March 5, 1912, signed by the President March 12, 1912, and is now law. The Howland bill, H. R. 20995, which contains the full scope of the original bill introduced at the instance of and urged by the American Federation of Labor so as to cover all employes of the Federal Government without regard to hazard of occupation, has incorporated with it the scale of benefits recommended by the Federal Commission in its bill of February 20, and which applies to employes of common carriers by railroads engaged in interstate or foreign commerce. The House Committee on Judiciary ordered the Howland bill favorably reported out of committee on April 11. This is a very fortunate circumstance, and will be instrumental in obtaining a uniform basis of benefits for Government employes and for employes of common carriers, and while it may be said that the scale of benefits are, comparatively speaking, small, yet the fact remains that this scale is greater than that provided by any of the State laws or by any of the laws in vogue in foreign countries, and if it is found that the scale of benefits are too low, they can be increased at a future date by amendment to the act. Immigration.-The House Committee on Immigration made a favorable report on the "illiteracy test" bill, H. R. 22527, April 16. The opposition to this bill does not appear to be as vigorous as in former Congresses. Mr. Burnett, Chairman of the House Committee, feels quite confident that the bill will pass the House without serious objection. Immigration-Chinese Exclusion.-The bill, S. 3175, introduced in the Senate for the alleged purpose of codifying all the immigration laws, was submitted to attorneys of the American Federation of Labor, who concluded that if it was enacted in the form in which it was before the Senate the right of Chinese to come to the United States would be absolutely unrestricted. In consequence of this serious question (Chinese immigration), coming again before the people, it was deemed wise to circularize all of the organizations on the Pacific Coast and inter-mountain States, urging them to oppose the measure. As a result of these activities an amendment aiming to cover this defect was agreed to in the Senate (on April 15), and is as follows: "Chinese persons or persons of Chinese descent, whether subjects of China or subjects or citizens of any other country foreign to the United States; persons who are not eligible to become citizens of the United States by naturalization unless otherwise excluded by existing agreements as to passports or by treaties, conventions, or agreements that may hereafter be entered into." Industrial Education.-The Vocational and Industrial Education bill, S. 3, by Mr. Page of Vermont, was favorably reported out of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, February 26, 1912. Representative Wilson of Pennsylvania reintroduced his bill to conform to the changes made in S. No. 3, its new number being H. R. 21490. Special hearings will be held by the House Committee on Agriculture on this bill, April 23. Favorable action is expected by the House Committee similar to that of the Senate Committee. Phosphorus Matches.-The bill H R. 20842, introduced for the purpose of preventing the disease known as "phossy jaw," passed the House of Representatives March 28, 1912, by a vote of 163 for, 31 against, 7 answering "present," and 190 "not voting." The bill was brought up in the Senate on April 3, and after some discussion passed without amendment and without division. The bill is now law, thanks to the efforts of the humanitarian impulses of the labor organizations and the women. Porto Rico.-The bill H. R. 20048, providing for citizenship for the people of Porto Rico, was passed by the House on March 4, 1912, and is now befere the Senate Committee on Pacific Islands and Porto Rico. The sentiment of the members of this committee seems to be favorably disposed toward the bill, but no positive action up to this time has been taken by it. Public Health.-The Bill S. 1, introduced by Senator Owen for the purpose of safeguarding the health of the people through the administrative powers of a Federal Bureau of Health, was favorably reported to the Senate on April 13 with a recommendation that the bill pass. The original measure has been redrafted and the objectionable medical provisions removed. Second-Class Mail Matter.-Bill H. R. 3972 (known as the Dodds bill), which provides that publications by labor and fraternal organizations shall receive the same consideration as commercial and other business publications, was referred to the House Committee on Post office and Postroads, and in turn was referred to a sub-committee of the Committee on Post-office and Post-roads. We have received assurance from the Chairman of the sub-committee, Representative Wilson of New York, that this measure will receive early consid eration. It will materially aid the officers of the American Federation of Labor and the undersigned if all local organizations and members will promptly urge their Representatives and Senators to pass the Anti-Trust, the Injunction Limitation, the EightHour, the Convict Labor, the Second Class Mail, and the Workmen's Compensation measures during the present session of Congress. Respectfully submitted." ARTHUR E. Holder, CONVENTIONS OF INTERNATIONAL UNIONS, 1912. May 2, New York, N. Y., Amalgamated Lace Curtain Operatives of America. May 7, Chicago, Ill., Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel, and Tin Workers of North America. May 29, Omaha, Nebr., American Federation of Musicians. June 3, Toronto, Canada, International Association of Marble Workers. June 3, Boston, Mass., Brotherhood of Railway Clerks. June 10, Detroit, Mich, International Brotherhood of Bookbinders. June 10-15, San Francisco, Cal., International Stereotypers and Electrotypers' Union of North America. July 15, Victor, Colo., Western Federation of Miners. July 16, Columbus, Ohio, Retail Clerks' International Protective Association. July 16, Belleville, Ill., Stove Mounters' International Union. July 20, Belleville, N. J., American Wire Weavers' Protective. Association. July or August, National Association of Machine Printers and Color Mixers of the United States. August, Indianapolis, Ind., United Garment Workers of America, August 5, New York, N. Y., International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers. August 12-17, Cleveland, Ohio, International Typographical Union. August 19-24, Denver, Colo., International PhotoEngravers' Union of North America. August 26, Cleveland, Ohio, International Brotherhood of Roofers, Composition, Damp and Waterproof Workers of the United States and Canada. August, Chicago, Ill., Brotherhood of Railroad Freight Handlers. September, Boston, Mass., United Association of Plumbers, Gasfitters, Steamfitters and Steamfitters' Helpers of United States and Canada. September 2-3-4, Salt Lake City, Utah, National Federation of Post-office Clerks. September 9, St. Louis, Mo., Coopers' International Union of North America. WHAT OUR ORGANIZERS ARE DOING. FROM THE ATLANTIC TO THE PACIFIC. In this department is presented a comprehensive review of industrial conditions throughout the country. This includes: A statement by American Federation of Labor general and local organizers of labor conditions in their vicinity. Increases in wages, reduction of hours, or improved conditions gained without strikes. Unions organized during the last month. City ordinances or State laws passed favorable to labor. Strikes or lockouts; causes, results. A report of this sort is rather a formidable task when it is remembered that nearly 1,000 of the organizers are volunteers, doing the organizing work and writing their reports after the day's toil is finished in factory, mill, or mine. The matter herewith presented is valuable to all who take an intelligent interest in the industrial development of the country. It is accurate, varied, and comprehensive. The information comes from those familiar with the conditions of which they write. These organizers are themselves wage-workers. They participate in the struggles of the people for better conditions, help to win the victories, aid in securing legislation-in short, do the thousand and one things that go to round out the practical labor movement. Through an exchange of views in this department the wage workers in various sections of the country and the manifold branches of trade are kept in close touch with each other. Taken in connection with the reports from secretaries of international unions, this department gives a luminous vision of industrial advancement throughout the country. FROM NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIES. Billposters. Wm. McCarthy.-State of employment has been and continues very good. Brick, Tile, and Terra Cotta Workers. Wm. Van Bodegraven.-Trade conditions fair, and steadily improving We recently chartered two new unions-one in Peoria, Ill., and the other in Cleveland, Ohio. Carvers (Wood). Thos. J. Lodge.-In Philadelphia, we won strike and secured the forty-four-hour work week in all shops but one. In Rochester, our members in all architectural shops will demand increase of 21⁄2 cents per hour and Saturday half-holiday the entire year around. We recently paid out $450 in benefits for deceased members. Ceramic, Encaustic, and Mosaic Tile Layers. Jas. P. Reynolds.-Work has been dull in our trade during the winter, but prospects are bright for the spring season. We reorganized our local union in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cutting Die and Cutter Workers. Harry Reiser.-Trade very brisk, and conditions in our line are steadily improving. Hours have n reduced from fifty to forty-eight per Molders. Victor Kleiber.-Our total membership approximately is 50,000 members. A new union has been organized in Virginia since last report. Musicians. Owen Miller.-During the month we organized new unions in Detroit, Mich., and Trinidad, Colo. We have about 50,000 members at this writing. Injunctions against our members were sought in New York City and in Vicksburg, Miss. Both of these injunctions were dismissed. Trade conditions fair. Quarry Workers. Fred W. Suitor.-Prospects are bright in our line. Conditions improving. Our branch at Chelmsford, Mass., has secured a new agreement, which FROM DISTRICT, STATE, AND LOCAL ORGANIZERS. Organized labor in first-class shape. We have no difficulties of any sort. There are very few unorganized workers in this section. The outlook for the summer work season is bright in all lines. Our newly organized State federation will be alert to labor's interest at the legislative sessions. Our first State Legislature has recently convened. ARKANSAS. Hot Springs.-P. I. Hensley: Work has been scarce, but union men have had the greater part of the work done here. The union men are in the majority. Unorganized laborers are poorly paid, and show symptoms of dissatisfaction. Effective work has been done by the union men here in booming the union labels. CALIFORNIA. Point Richmond.-M. Oeschlaeger: Union men get nearly twice the wages that unorganized workers receive. Labor conditions here are good. The union labels are well patronized. Laundry workers organized during the month. San Francisco-John O. Walsh: Organized labor holding its own and has withstood wage reductions. The unorganized workers, however, are not so fortunate, as they can not help themselves, and many of them are out of employment. The supervisors of the city passed a resolution warning unemployed workers not to seek employment here, as there are already too many unemployed. Longshoremen, lumber handlers, and the lumber clerks have amalgamated. Alaska salmon packers are organizing. San Mateo.-J. B. Falvey: All union men are enjoying strictly union con. ditions. Conditions are improving, owing to organized activity. Work on the Pacific Coast, however, is not steady, and there are a great number of men drawn here by false reports. is for four years and provides for the forty-fivehour week with forty-eight hours' pay six months in the year, and a slight increase in wages. At Stony Creek, Conn., our local union signed new agreement with forty-five-hour week, at fortyeight hours' pay, the year around. Both of these settlements were obtained without suspension of work. We have strikes at Rockfield and Memphis Junction, Ky., and at Vinalhaven, Me., for better conditions and increased wages. Tailors. E. J. Brais. Since last report we have organized new unions in the following places: Lansing and Detroit, Mich.; Newark, N. J.; Bay City, Mich.; Arecibo, Porto Rico, and Phoenix, Ariz. We have a number of strikes pending settlement. Recently we expended $1,140 in benefits for deceased members, and $2,094.15 for sick and disabled members. Santa Cruz.-John Teeney: Organized labor in good shape. Union men have the eight-hour day at $4 per day. Cement workers are organizing. COLORADO. Silverton.-C. R. Waters: Conditions here are good. All workers are organized with the exception of the clerks and they are now forming union. Work is steady. CONNECTICUT. Bridgeport.-J. H. Smith: Condition of organized labor is good, but there is room for more organization work, and we are now working to build up a metal trades council and have bright prospects. Work has been steady for union men. Plumbers have obtained the fortyfour-hour week without reduction in wages. There is splendid demand for all union labels. Hartford.-Sol Sontheimer: Organized workers receive more pay and enjoy better conditions than the unorganized. Tailors organized during the month. Have two new unions under way. DELAWARE. Wilmington.-Joseph E. Andrews: The conditions of well organized trades are better than those not so well organized, but whereever the workers have organized at all there is decided improvement in conditions and wages. The unorganized workers are working long hours at starvation wages. Tailors are organizing. FLORIDA. Titusville.-Luther Hitchcock: Prospects are good for the organized trades here. As result of union activity we have secured the eight-hour day at $3 per day. Fishermen have organized and are making steady progress. They have sixty members in the union at this writing. |