The labor advocate. [volume], January 15, 1916, Page 5, Image 5

About The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937

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THE LABOR ADVOCATE
The Kentucky Federation of
Labor Meets at Louisville
January 10, 11, 12
Resolutions Passed Against State -Wide -Prohibition
Want Appointments of Labor Inspector and Assistant
Taken Out of Cohen's Hands Governor Stanley
Asked to Withhold His Approval of Cohen's Appoint
ments Owensboro Selected for 1917 Convention
Prout and Ott, of Cincinnati, Make Speeches.
The controversy between Mat S.
Cohen, newly-elected Commissioner of
Agriculture, and the Kentucky Federa
tion of Labor, regarding the appoint
ment ofthc State Labor Inspector, was
the basis of considerable discussion at
the Federation's convention at the Gait
House, which opened Monday, January
10th. Labor leaders maintain Mr.
Cohen violated his campaign pledges in
appointing Jack Nelson, of Paducah, as
Labor Inspector, and his assistant with
out waiting to hear the Federation ex
press its choice. The matter was fin
ally turned over to the Committee on
Officers' Reports, and probably will be
reported upon today.
State Senator Charles F. Knight was
introduced by John Schneider, chair
man of the Legislative Committee, and
detailed the negotiations carried on by
himself between Mr. Cohen and the
Federation of Labor. He stated that
he was placed in an embarrassing posi
tion, as he was both a personal friend
of Mr. Cohen and of organized labor,
but that he would give the whole story.
In December, 101-1, Senator Knight
said, he received a letter from Mat S.
Cohen, in which the latter asked that
arrangements be made with the Feder
ation to secure the support of labor
leaders for his candidacy for Commis
sioner of Agiiculture. Accordingly,
Senator Knight said, he obtained the
consent of the Federation officials for a
meeting with Mr. Cohen at The Secl
bach on January .1, 1915.
Siiys Cohen Gave l'l-omisc.
Those present at that meeting, be
sides Senator Knight and Mr. Cohen,
were President H. J. Allington, Secre
tary and Treasurer Peter Campbell,
John Schneider, Fred Schwenker and
John H. Gamble, the latter of Newport,
Ky.
Mr. Cohen at this meeting, Senator
Knight said, promised he would let the
Federation decide who should be ap
pointed State Labor Inspector and as
sistant inspector.
After the election, upon hearing that
Mr. Cohen was going to disregard the
Federation in his appointment. Senator
Knights said he went to Mr. Cohen in
person and asked him about it.
"Those fellows didn't -do anything for
me I know where I am," he quoted
Mr. Cohen as saying, Mr. Knight
added that he tried to arrange a recon
ciliation between Mr. Cohen and mem
ber of the Federation, but Mr. Cohen
refused to meet the labor representa
tives. lj'ttTs From 5li Cohen.
Affidavits given by the labor delegates
present at the meeting with Mr. Cohen
at The Scclhach were read by Peter
Campbell, secretary, and they substan
tiated Senator Knight's declaration.
The following letter was read by Sec
retary Campbell :
Lexington, Ky., Jan. .1, 1015. Mr.
Peter J. Campbell, Secretary-Treasurer
Kentucky State Federation of Labor.
Louisville. Ky. Dear Sir: In view of
the fact that I am a candidate for the
Democratic nomination for the office of
Commissioner of Agriculture, Labor
and Statistics, T deem it advisable to
submit to you my ideas and views rela
tive to matters pertaining to the Bu
reau of Labor.
After very carefully going over the
controversy between the Legislative
Committee of your organization and
our present Commissioner of Agricul
ture, Labor and Statistics, as shown by
report of the proceedings of your con
vention, held at Frankfort, Ky., Jan
uary 12. 13 and 14, 1!)14, 1 most sincerely
indorse your demands, your attitude
and your earnest appeals to our present
Commissioner of Agriculture, Labor
and Statistics, and believe that the
Labor Inspector of the State of Ken
tucky should be employed, subject to
the Federation of Labor.
Answers Complaints.
I further believe that the Department
of Labor and Statistics should be di
vorced from politics, and, if elected,
pledge my best efforts toward that end,
believing it will elevate and more ef
ficiently carry out the provisions of the
present labor laws.
I notice from our past records that
complaints have been registered against
cheap and foreign labor employed in
connection with the Kentucky State
Fair and other similar institutions which
may come under the supervision of the
Commissioner of Agriculture, Labor
and Statistics, and replying I subscribe
myself for the preference of aforesaid
labor to be executed by members of or
ganized labor
It is a source of disappointment to
myself and friends that the major mem
bers of the Court of Appeals declared
unconstitutional" the "workmen's com
pensation .act," and pledge my unrpiali
ficd support toward the enactment of
such humane legislation as will best pro
tect the working man and his interests.
In conclusion, if elected, the doors of
my office shall he open to your Federa
tion, and, if my platform is accepted by
your honorable body and my "cause"
meets with the espousal of its members,
the appreciation of same can not be
told, but will be proven by, very sin
cerely yours, Mat S. Cohen.
President Heads Itepoit.
The afternoon session of the conven
tion was called to order at two o'clock.
The report of the Credentials Commit
tee w-as read and approved. President
Allington then read his annual report.
He spoke of his success in getting the
Workmen's Compensation Law incor
porated in the platform of the Demo
cratic party. He also reported upon
his nonsuccess in attempting to arrange
a meeting with Mat S. Cohen. He ex
pressed his approval of the satisfactory
financial condition of the Federation.
In conclusion he thanked the officials
for their work during the past year.
In the financial report Treasurer
Campbell staled that the finances were
in better shape than ever before.
The following committee appoint
ments were announced by President Al
lington :
Resolutions John Gamble, I and S.
W., No. ,-i; Fred Schwenker. Bartenders.
No. 70; P. Ossman. Sheet Metal
Workers, No. 110: John Jeffrey, United
Mine Workers, District No. 10, and Ed
Hancock, U. B. W., No. sr.M.
Laws John Schneider, L. B. T. C;
T. M. Ashley, Bartenders, No. fiOO; Mr.
Grunnelson, Painters, No. 118; John T.
Main, U. M. V District No. 2.1; Wil
liam Prout, Boot and Shoe Workers,
No. Ifi.
Labels Sam Simon, U. B. of L. W.,
No. 2; Rich Fustin, Cigar Makers, No.
:i2; John Fuchs, U. B. W., No. 110; Mr.
Hurl. Bartenders, No. 1(10; John Gim
ble, U. T. and L. A.
Grievances C. L. Lowry, U. B. of
L. W., No. 14; William Young, Bakers,
No. 7.1; Joe E. Cluck, U. B. W., No. 1.10.
Officers' Report A. Kunner, U. B.
W., No. 12; Perry Dawson, Coopers,
No. 3S; Dan Crowe, Bluegrass Federa
tion of Labor; Theodore Dichl, U. B
W., No. 207, and A. T. Keill. A. A. of
S. and 11. Railway Employes, No. (V28
.Speaks On "Flan Hill."
The convention was also addressed
yesterday afternoon by J. V. Norman,
speaking in the interest of the proposed
"Finn Bill."
This bill provides for increasing the
powers of the Railroad Commission of
Kentucky to enable the members to fix
both passenger and freight rates. It
specifies, Mr. Norman explained, that
no public officials shall travel upon a
pass. It also enables the commission
to fix the freight rates where more than
one railroad in the State handles the
freight. At present, Mr. Norman stated,
the commission can only fix the rate
where one railroad is concerned in the
hauling. This is working a hardship,
the speaker said, and quoted as an ex
ample the Kosmosdale Cement Com
pany, which pays more for a haul from
Kosmosdale to Lexington than from
Kosmosdale to Mitchell, hid., because
the freight must be sent over two dif
ferent railroads in the trip to Lexington
The opening session yesterday morn
ing was called to order by Alderman
Fred Schwenker, chairman of the En
tertainment and Arrangement Commit
tee, with a brief talk, in which he an
nounced that the plans for entertaining
the delegates would be announced from
time to time Tie then introduced
Charles F Tavlor, a member of the
Board of Public Safety, who repre
sented Mayor John IT. Buscheincver,
in an address of welcome to the labor
men.
Invited to Come Again.
Alderman Schwenker complimented
Mayor Buscliemcyer upon his regard
for organized labor, and also stated that
by appointing organized labor repre
sentatives upon the Library Board and
the Waverly Hill Tuberculosis Hospital,
the Mayor had manifested this interest
to the Slate Federation of Labor. How
ever, since Mayor Buscliemcyer was un
able to be present because of the
stress of business, Alderman Schwenker
stated, it was gratifying that he had
selected as his representative to wel-
conic the delegates, Mr. Taylor, former
President of the Pressmen's Union, of
Louisville.
"The welcome the city wishes to ex
tend is a hearty one," Mr. Taylor said,
"hi 1887 1 assisted in organizing the
first Pressmen's Union in Louisville,
and was selected as a delegate to the
American Typographical Union, which
met m Kansas City in 1880. At that
convention I was chosen as a delegate
to the American Federation of Labor,
meeting the next year, and at that ses
sion I voted for Samuel Gompcrs for
President of the American Federation
of Labor. When you have adjourned
I hope you will be glad you met in
Lousivillc, and I hope you will desire
to hold your next convention in this
cit."
Schneider .Makes Itcsponse.
John Schneider, who responded,
thanked Mr. Taylor upon behalf of the
assembled labor men, and said that it
was gratifying that Mayor Buschc
mcycr, since he could not attend the
opening session, should send a union
man to represent him.
"In local labor circles," stated Mr
Schneider, "Mr. Taylor is still referred
to as one of the fellows who started
the wheel moving in Louisville."
Chairman Schwenker then asked the
delegates to extend a rising vote of
thanks to Mr Taylor for his address
of welcome After the convention had
shown their appreciation of Mr. Tay
lor's talk, the gavel was turned over to
President Allington.
The following labor leaders are par
ticipating in the convention: Henry
Ott, of Cincinnati, member of the Ohio
Legislature; Thomas M. Gann, frater
nal delegate from the Tennessee Feder
ation of Labor: William G. Shea, of
this city, National Organizer of the
Painters' International Union; T. C
Stuart, of the International Sheet Metal
Workers; Robert C Pollock, of Central
City, Ky.. President of District No 2.1.
United Mine Workers of America; C J.
Smith, President of District No. 10;
W . Prout, of Cincinnati, of the Ex
ecutive Board of Boot and Shoe
Workers' International Union.
Alderman Schwenker, of this city,
and Daniel J. Crowe, of Lexington, rep
resenting the Bluegrass Federation of
Labor, were appointed members of the
Press Committee. Last night the dele
gates attended the performance at the
Buckingham. Tonight they will attend
the meeting of the United Trades and
Labor Assembly. Tomorrow night a
ball will be given at the Gait House
TUF.SDAY'S SF.SSIOX.
That the Kentucky State Federation
of Labor is firmly opposed to any bill
introduced in the present session of the
I General Assembly favoring State-wide
iiiiii'junm wus siiuwii oy me lavorauie
icport of the Resolution Committee
yesterday upon the following resolu
tion :
"Inasmuch as the Kentucky Anti
Prohibition League is composed of or
ganized labor, and that those crafts
which arc affiliated with the Kentucky
nti-Prohibitiou League arc or will be
affected cither directly or indirectly in
any prohibition measure that may be
introduced at the coming legislation,
and if these measures are passed it will
throw about 00 per cent of organicd
men upon the market of unemployed:
therefore, be it
"Resolved, That the Kentucky State
Federation of Labor assembled give
their co-operation in defeating any bill
pertaining to State-wide or any other
prohibition measures which may be in
troduced during the prcstnt session of
legislation."
Dcinaiid for Union liiibcl.
This resolution adopted by the con
cntjon has now been passed on to the
Legislation Committee for action.
It was resolved that the delegates
assembled will co-operate in the cam
paign launched for the purpose of aug
menting a more general demand for
Custom Tailors' Union label in all gar
ments, and that they will evidence their
allegiance and purchase garments with
the Custom Tailors' Union label, and
encourage others to do likewise.
Since (he bakers are in a continuous
struggle for the betterment of their con
ditions, it was resolved to make their
conflict effective by having organize'd
labor, its friends and sympathizers pur
chase and consume products which bear
the Bakers' Union label
Against Convict Labor.
It was resolved, also, that the Ken
tucky State Federation of Labor go on
record against convict labor in the
Slate of Kentucky, and thai the Ken
tucky State Federation of Labor be in
structed to draw up a bill and have it
presented to the next Legislature pro
hibiting the manufacture of any com
modity that can be offered for sale in
competition with free labor
A icsolution was adopted requiring
all street car and interurbau lines to
have air or electric brakes in addition
to hand brakes, and to have inclosed
pl'it forms for their employes
These resolutions were turned over
to the Legislative Committee for ac
tion. At the morning session Joseph Gren
adier. International Trustee and hoard
member of the United Iron and Steel
Workers of America, was introduced
He talked of union matters connected
with the iron and steel union workers
fjrcctliiKs From South.
Thomas M. Gann, fraternal delegate
from Tennessee and Secretary of the
Mine Workers, District 19, addressed
the convention. He gave greetings
from the South.
Telegrams and letters were read by
Secretary Campbell at the beginning of
the session. Among them was a tele
gram from the Owensboro Chamber of
Commerce, urging that the Federation
hold its next annual meeting in Owcns
hoi o.
David Robb, Mine Workers' repre
sentative, spoke at length concerning
the Colorado situation. Another speak
er was President McAndrcws, of the
International Tobacco Workers' Union.
At the suggestion of President Al
lington, a resolution was adopted by
the convention that the roll call be
given at the opening of each meeting,
and that the names of each delegate
not present be made a matter of record.
This is to bring to the attention of the
various order-, the dilatory tactics of
some delegates who have not been on
hand when the meetings have been
called to order.
William Prout, International reprc
scntathe of the Boot and Shoe Work
ers' Union, delivered an interesting ad
dress upon union affairs. International
Representative Dan Pfcuster, of the
Printing Pressmen's Union, discussed
the printing situation in Kentucky and
mentioned the non-union plants in
Louisville
Hardships of Coopers.
The connection of the Coopers'
Union with the liquor industry was
dwelt upon b Perry Dawson, member
of the Executive Board of Interna
tional Coopers' Union. He touched
upon the hardships upon the coopers
urougnt anout by tlie prohibition meas
ures. R. B. Stickcly, General Organizer of
the Cigar Makers' Union, asked that
organized labor give its moral support
to the fight against any tobacco trust.
The afternoon session was a short
one, and little besides routine business
became before the convention. Last
night most of the delegates attended
the meeting of the United Trades and
Labor Assembly. Tonight a ball will
be given at the Gait House. Elaborate
preparations have been made by the
Entertainment Committee, particularly
by M. L. Goldsmith, of the Postoffice
Clerks' Union, who has had charge of
fheir affair; and most of the delegates
have signified their intention of remain
ing for the good time anticipated.
The election of officers for the com
ing year will take place today. It is
currently rumored among the delegates
that Harry J. Allington, of Newport,
President of the Kentucky State Feder
ation of Labor, will succeed himself as
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head of the organization. He is iust
finishing his fifth term. Peter Camp
bell, of Louisville, Secreary and Treas
urer, is another official who is practi
cally assured of his rc-clction, it is said
He has been in office for two years
There may be a change in the personnel
of the Vice-Presidents, it is stated.
U'KD.VKSDA V'S SKSSIOX.
Delegates to the 1910 Convention of
the Kentucky State Federation of La
bor, m the final session at the Gait
House, Wednesday, January 12th, ex
pressed approval of the officers by re
electing them, with one exception
Harry J. Allington, of Newport, was
re-elected President; John Jeffrey, of
Pittsburg, Ky., First Vice-President.
Max Traut, of Louisville, Second Vice
President; John Fuchs. Louisville,
Third Vice-President, and John Gamble,
of Newport, Fourth Vice-President
Peter J. Campbell. Louisville. Secretary
and Treasurer. T. M. Ashley, of Ow
ensboro, was elected as Fifth Vice
President. John Schneider, of Louisville, was
made chairman of the Legislative Com
mittee, while Harry J. Allington and
Theodore Diehl, the latter of Louis
ville, were elected members of that
body. John Gamble was selected as
delegate to the Tennesse State Federa
tion of Labor Convention.
Three cities Owensboro. Lexington,
and Pineville received votes in the
balloting for the 1917 meeting. Owens
boro won by a comfortable majority
The officers were installed by Fred
Schwenker, of this city, who adminis
tered the oath
For Factory Inspectors.
A resolution recommended by the
Executive Board to submit not less
than three name of persons favored
by the State Federation of Labor for
appointments as State Factory Inspec
tors and Assistant Inspectors, to be
presented to Matt S Cohen. Commis
sioner of gnculture, Labor and Sta-
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