~ ~ ~ THE GENERAL FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS. . . .

CHIEF OFFICE: 168-170, TEMPLE OHAMBERS, TEMPLE AVENUE,

Telegraphic Address: , E.O. "Wellwisher, London," I

1 I ~ REPORT .'"'" I OF THE FOURTH ANNUAL ___-.

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rt ! (j~n~ral Council m~~ting 1 ~ f I HELD AT I, THE MANSION HOUSE, i DUBLIN, 011 THURSDAY and FRIDAY. 9th ami 1Otll JULY. 1903.

ALSO R,EPOQ.T OF INTER.NATIONAL CONFERENCE .

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i!tNtl:>.

1903 • ;'1" •

<.E.: General federation of Trade Unions, 768-770, TEMPLE OHAMBERS, TEMPLE AVENUE, E.O. FOURTH ANNUAL -----;f;----- GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING. GOfI1MITT££ ; .. ~tv-'~----~.- MR. PETE CURRAN (Chairman), Gasworkers' and General Labourers' Union. COUNCILLOR (Vice-Chairman), Yorkshire Textile Workers. AGENDA. MR. J. J\IADDISON (Tl'CaSltrel') , Friendly Society of Ironfounders. I Chairman's Address. Amendments to Rules. MR. (Trustee), Associated Shipwrights. MR. G. N. BARNES (Trustee), Amalgamated Society of Engineers. Election of Officers:- Welcome by Lord Mayor (T. C. COUNCILLOR J. HOLMES (T1'ustee) , Hosiery Workers' Federation. Harrington, M.P.):- Mll. T. ASHTON, J.P., Cotton Spinners. Ohairman. Mll. J. N. BELL, National Amalgamated Union of Labour. J P. Nannetti, M.P. Vice-Ohairman. MR. J. CRINION, Card and Blowing Room Operatives. MR. W. J. DAVIS, Amalgamated Brassworkers. .0eputation from Dublin Trades Coune-il. Treasurer. Mll. T. MALLALIEU, Felt Hatters' Union.

Mll. J. O'GRADY, National Amalgamated Furnishing Trades' Association. Foreign Delegation Adclress. Secretary ME. W. C. STEADMAN, L.C.C., Barge Builders. Mll. , Dockers' Union. Election of Tellers, etc. Three Trustees. MR. JOHN WARD, Navvies, Builders' Labourer3' and General Labourers' , Union. f Annual Report and Balance Sheet. Oommittee.

AUDITORS; Auditor's Report. Auditors. :r.1R. J. R. CLYNES, Gasworkers' and General Labourers. Place of next Annual Meeting. CJUNCILLOR T. F. HICHARDS, National Union of Boot and Sh Treasurer's Report Opera tIVes.· , oe

I f Gene?'al Sec1'eta?'Y 4

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List of Delegates attending the Fourth Annual General CouncU Meeting, NA~!E OF SOCIETY. SHIP. DELEGATES.

with the names of Societies they represent, etc. --_.----- _.. _-----,_ ...... _--';,-_._----_. Hatters, Amalgamated Society of Journeymen Felt 3,055 T. Mallalieu.

NA)U: 0<' SOCIETY. MEMBER· I DELEGATES. Hat Trimmers and Wool Formers, Amalgamated Felt .. 2,314 J. Bonnett. SHIP. i Hat Trimmers and Stitchers' Union, Silk ...•...... •... 193 Barge Builders ...•...... •...•• ·1 420 i W. C. Steadman, L.O.O. Hammermen, London and Provincial ..••...... •..• 204 r W. B. HOl'nidge. Boot and Shoe Operatives. National Union of •...•••.•. 1 26,625 1 C. Fronk, L.O.C. Hosiery Federatioll, National ••....•.••••...•.....•.. 3,222 Jas. Holmos. \ Councillor T. F. Richards. Bmssworkers, National Amalg~mated Society of...... •. 1 6,793 W. J. Dnvis. Holloware and Sanitary Pressers', etc. . •..•.••...•...• :::,017 J os. Hassall. Bleachers, Dyers, etc., FederatIOn ••..•..•••..••..•••• 978 Jns. Holmes. Holloware Buffers ••...... •...... ••..•••.• 100 C. Yates. Britltnnia :Metal Workers ...... 67 Holloware Stampers ....• ; .•...... ••.•••.•••.•••.... 75 Card IInd Blowing Room Operatives, Amalgamated ••.... 22,940 ! W. Mullin, J.P. (Councillor J. Davidson. 1J. Crinion. Ironfounders, Friendly Society of •.••..••..•..•...... 18,287 \ J. I1IadclisoIl. Cotton Spinners, Amalgo.mated Oporative ...... ••. J. Hownl'th. 18,407 { T. Ashton, J.P. Iron, Steel, and Bmss Dressers of Scotland, Amalgamated 950 R. R. McFadycn. Compositors, London Society of ..•..•...•.•.•..•..... 11,244 J. Dingle. (J. N. Bell. { W. Baxter. Labour, National Amalgamated Union of ..••..•..••... 21,420 1G. Greig. Carpenters and Joiners, Perseverance ...... •...... •. 528 Labourers, Heywood and District General ....•••••... 150 Card Setting Machine Tenters '" ...... •.•••.....•.••. 203 Leather Workers, Fancy .. '.' ...... ••••.••....•.... 294 Carter,;' Ass(Jcio.tion, Gllited ..•.•...... • • . . . • .• •• . . 1,670 A. Astles. Labour Amalgamation, British .• , ...... • . . • . . 1,150 T. Fox.

{Jlothier,;' Operatives, Amalgamated ••••....••••••.... 1,505 J. Young. La~e Makers, Amalgamated Operative ..••••••••...... 3,312 W. A. Appleton. Drillers, London and District .....•...... •...•.... 280 Lace Pattern Readers, etc ... , •....•••...•..•..••••.•. 87 H. Bo.rtlctt. Dock, WIHlrf, Hivcrside, and General Labourers. • ...... 12,357 ( Ben. Tillett. "[ H. W. Kay. Machine Workers' Associ;],tion, United ••••...•••••..•. 3,871 Councillor l\f. Arrandale, J.P. Dock Labourers, Natiollal Union of •...... •.•..••.. 9,000 J. Sexton. Midland Counties Trade Federation ••.•...... •••••. 7,800 W. Millerchip. Blectrical Trades Union...... 1,116 W. T. Gooday. Moulders, Amalg(tmated Plate and I1Iachine .•..•••..... 661 S, Roward. G. N. Barnes. 3,030 Engineers, Amalgamated Society of...... 94,951 Jas. H. Wheelhouse. Musicians' Union, Amalgamated ..•.....••...... D. Gardner. I 1l!'recl Crompton. Navvies, Bricklayers and General Labourers' Union ..•. 1,815 John Ward. Enginoors' and Firemen's Union, Hull Steam Trawlers.. 600 ~ J. G. R unnacles. Painters, Amalgamated House Decorators and ...... 5,130 J. P. Johnsoll. Enginemon, Cranomen, Firemen, Boilermen, National 3,169 T. Dobson. 111. Deller. Amalgamated Society I Plasterers, National Association of Ope~ative ....••.... D,505 I!'rench Polishers, Amalgamated Society of •..•• • • • . • • • 961 A. A. Purcell. \ Pipomakers, Tobacco ...... ••.••...... •..•.• 164 Firemen, Dippers, Placets, ctc.. . • • • • • • • . . • . • • • •• • • • . • . 440 ) T. Edwards. Plate, Spoon and Fork Filors, British ••....•...... 97 Ploor Cloth and Linoleum Trade Society ••..•••....•.. 100 A. H. Tilbul'Y. Printers and Transferers' Trade Protection Society ••.... 700 Furnishing Trades' Association, National Amalgamated.. 6,248 J. O'Gmdy. Printers'Trade Society, South of England Block •.••..•• 80 Grinders, Amalgamated Engine and Iron •••...••••..•• 394 Printers'Trade Society, Scottish Block ...... •...••.. 60 Grinders, 'l'able Blade .• ; ..•.••.•••••.•....•••••••••.. 94 Packing Box I1Iakers ...... •...... •.•.••..•....••••• 80 Glass Blowers, London Society of ...•••.•..•.••••.••. 373 J. Stokes. Pocket Book and Leather Case Makers ...... •...•••. 70 i Councillor . Gasworkers and General Labonrers, NatiOllll1 Union of . . 40,986 ~ J. Smith. QuarrYlnen, North 'iVales ••••••.,' ..•••...... •.••• .' .. , 4,509 D. R. Daniel. l Pote Curran. Gasworkers, Bricklayers, and General Labourers, Amal. 4,371 Roller Makers, Operative ...... •.••••.•.•••...••• 150 A. J. Wilson. gamatod Society of R. Toiler. Railway Wagon anc1 Oarriage Builders and Lifters •.••.. 162 6

NA~IE OF SOCIETY. DELEGATES. ,! ! Sl~ve r:r,'to Worke.rs, National ••...... ••.....•...•• 1 1,460 'No Knowles. (A. Wilkie. Shipwrights, AssocJ!lted •.•...... • 0 ...... I 1,9411 I General federation of Trade Unions. '( H. Sawyers. 1 1 Shipwrights' Provident Society, London ••..•••...... '1 780 ! j Smiths and Strikers, United Kingdom Society of Ama!. 3,696 G. Ashcroft. Silversmiths' Trade Protection Society ..•...... 1 565 FOURTH ANNUAL GENERAL COUNCil MEETING. Silver and Electro Plate Finishers ...... •.••...... I 121 1 Shuttlemakers, Amalgamated .. 0 0 o ••••••••••••••••••• 242 Dr. Isherwood. I Seamen alld Marine Firemen, Hull •...•..•.•• 0 •••••• 640 J. B. Butcher. t I iNTRODUOTION. Smiths and Hammermen, National United •.••.•..•.•. 910 J. Shea '.. HE Fourth Annual General Oouncil Meeting well maintainecl the good Steelworkers', Engineering, and Labollr League, Nat •. o. 1,786 Gco. Beadle. standard of those previously held, not only on account of the interesting JT. A. Flynn. \ Tail

CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS. The Chairman, in opening the proceedings, said they were honoured by the presence of the Chief Magistrate of the City (applause), and by the presence of Mr. Nannetti and ~h. Field, two of the Dublin Members of Parliament, August 11th, 1908. and of Mr. Richardson, the President, Mr. Simmons, the Secretary, and the Vice-President and the Treasurer of the Dublin Trades Council. They had at their meeting in Ireland a privilege that they had not enjoyed in any place across the Channel-they met in the Mansion House by the courtesy and kindness of the Lord MayOl' and his colleagues (hear, hear), and according to true Irish instincts they were not going to pay any rent (laughter and applause). That was a purely industrial conference. They knew no politics in that Con­ ference, nor did they recognise nationality. It was an international conference for the purpose of protecting the labour power of the workers. He thought it would be the settled opinion of the majority of the delegates that they would be delighted to see Ireland developed from an industrial point of view (applause). It was not merely the question of the agricultural development of Ireland in which they were interested. While they hailed with satisfaction, just as much as the IriSh people themselves did, any legislation which would give an opportunity for agricultural development, yet on the whole they believed that the workers of Ireland would never have that opportunity which they believed they ought to have until their industrial resources would be tapped (applause). They often heard across the Ohannel of the invasion of the English cities by Irishmen, and Englishmen, irrespective of politics, agreed that it would be to their interest to give Irishmen an opportunity of living in their own country (hear, hear); and it was the duty of English workingmen, as well as of Irish workingmen, to support beneficial agrarian and industrial legislation for Ireland, no matter from what political party it came (hear, hear). They had I also present at thtlt meeting their comrades from abroad. They had repre­ I sentatives of Italy, Holland, Germany, France, Denmark, and Norway (applause), and he thought it would ill become him to allow the occasion to pass without specially noticing the great triumph of their comrades in r Germany at the recent elections (applause). Their friend Legien was one of I the Social-Democratic members of the German Reichstag (applause). Prior to 10 11 the last election his party could boast of 57 members in the German Parliament; interest in one class. of their community above another; and those who hac1 to-day they could boast of 82 members (applause). As in the case of Ireland taken. a :ery proll11llent and warlll interest in the settlement of the land the more oppression had been heaped upon the German workman the more questIOn III Ireland had done so not for love of those who were engaged in the they hatl come together, solidified their organisation, and sent their men to development of th? land, not for the love of the fanning class, but because it represent them in the German Parliament (applause). ':Ohey were there was the one questIOn which was at the root of all industrial development, anc1 at that Conference to support and advoeate as far as possible the free and becauB~ 11? mon~y nor labour coulc1 well be employed in this country in lmtrammellec1 exchange of commodities between the countries of the extenSIve mdustnal developmen~ until the land question had been settled (heal', world. They had a good deal of talk recently about the raising of the hear). He had strong hopes that a settlement of the la.nd question was near at wagefl of workingmen by making preferential tariffs or establishing a family hand; and they were quite certain that after that would come a large system trade between England anel the Colonies. He trusted no workingman would of industrial development (hear, hear). be misled into the beJief that his wages would rise, even though profits may rise for the employerfl (heal', hear). It did not always follow that where high Mr. Nanne~ti, ~1..P., who was warmly applauded, next spoke. He knew profits lUld high dividends were paid wages were high (heal', hear). He knew th.at a ver,Y ~enous time :vas coming for the workers of this country, and some of the best-paying tlrms in England that paid the lowest wages (hear, Without wlShlng to take sIc1es as to whether Protection or Free Trac1e was hear). Even if they could be hoodwinked into the belief that c1ividends and right at the present time, he should say that the capitalist could protect him­ profits would go up as a result of Protection, there was no statesman in the self, anc1 the workel's should also make up their minds and not be taken at a country who could prove that wages would rise in a corresponding ratio (hear, disadvantage. Personally he was aganist Protection (heal', hear). The question hear). Of course they were told that this was a form of retaliation on Germany, wa~ one that the. intelligent workers would have to study and consic1er America, and other countries for their protective tariffs. Two blacks never serIOusly. He beheved that the resort to Protection would be one of the made a white. He believcd that the workers of every country should organise greatest misfortunes that could occur to Ireland and even to a greater extent to for the purpose of breaking down the existing tariff barriers instead of. Englanc1. ~e deplored the fact that there were a great many tLades outside Ol;tablishing further barriers. The question of the tariffs was one of the that FederatIOn. The Generte~ them upon meeting at a time when a He wished the meeting success, and he hoped the delegates °woulil soon again CriSIS was pOSSibly a~ hand, 111 which It would be incumbent upon those who visit Dublin (applause). represented trac1e Ulllons to watch carefully the interests of those whom they r?pre~en~ed .(hear, hear~. There were in the political atmosphere at the present Mr. E. T. Richardson and Mr. John Simmons also welcomed the deleD'ates tIme mdlCatlOns that, If great changes did not take place, a·t all events an to Dublin. ° endeavour would ?e made to effect important changes, which would very Herr Legien, member of the German Reichstag, next addressed the probably have It, sel'lou~ effect upon the various trades organisations that they delegates in German, and his speech was afterwards translated into English by rep~esent?a. They mIght rely upon it that the statesmen who re resented Mr. Vanderveer. He said he had been requested to speak in the name of all nat~oll~l mterests would carefully guard the interests of their coun&.y Th the Oontinental delegations, and not only of the delegations represented at capitalists WOUld. guard their own interests, and it behoved thos~ wh~ the Oonference-Germany, Italy, Austria, France, Holland, Denmark, and represente~ ?rg~lllsed labour to see that their views and principles should have Norway-but in the name of the countries which were not directly represented due recogmtlOn,111 any changes that might take place. He desired to recognise -Switzerland, Spain, Sweden, and Australia. He received a letter from t~. the fu~l~st ox~ent the warmth and. the generosity and the fah'play with which Melbourne that morning stating that the workingmen of Australia were in lush wOlkltlgmcn had been treated III every country in the world to wl . h th absolute agreement with everything that Conference might do (heal', hear). had been forced to go to seek for industrial employment (hear hear)llC Th:'~ On the Oontinent their wish was to combine the Trades Union movement with ~~dllavour ~n hIrelan.d was. to secure to the greatest extent et'nploy~ent f~~ the. Social Democratic movement. They were of opinion that Trades liS lmen a ome III theIr own land (heal', hear). They had no special Dlllonism as such had not the power, and was not in the position, to solve ]2 13

the [Iuflations ancl the problems that stood before Labour. What tbey had to In reply to a question the Treasurer, Mr. Madclison, explained that in hring about was not only to increase wages, to shorten the working hours, and London there was no interest on current accounts, and the cheques sent away to directly improve Labour conditions, but the great problem was to free were paid from current accounts. Labour from the domination of capital (applause). They wished to abolish Mr. Wilkie and Mr. Davis wanted to know who had not sent in receipts? the disagreement that existed between capital and Labour, and by national­ Mr. Clynes stated that some kind of acknowledgment had always been ising capital hring Labour into agreement with it, and by that means bring received for money paid away. about the harmonious working of all society (hear, hear). If the British Mr. Bames said, in his opinion, it was absolutely necessary for receipts to workers wished ultimately to solve the problems that stood for solution they would Imve to pay ttttention !lot only to the economic side of their struagle be placed before the auditors. He thought they ought to get interest where h:lt to the political side as well; they would have to strive not only toO get possible, and his society always were able to obtain it. Still it was not a very important matter, as the current account just now was only £10a. hJg!l~)r wage;; and shorter hours, but they would have to capture all the politICal power of the country (lL}Jplause). In Germany they were in a good Mr. Ashton thought the Auditors should prepare a printed report to call way to do that. The last electIOn had Rtrengthened their position so much attention to such matters. ' that it wOlllc; not be ~i!Iicult for them to propbesy that they would be able to Mr. Maddison said the only bank in London that allowed interest on control the Gorman HeICbstag. The great use of an International Federation :., current accounts was the Birkbeck, provided the balance did not fall was. not so IlIuc.h t~[Lt they should assist one another in times of c1i3putes by below £200. pay.lllg a contrIhutlOn,. but that they should lay down if possible a common Mr. Tillett suggested that the General Secretary should send out a printed b:L~IS for r,t comn~on policy in the different countries (heal', hear). The common ohJect of the capltal1sts ,vas not to employ the workers in the interest of the receipt form with any money forwarded. :,"o1'k01'8, but in the interest of the capitalists themselves. The common The Secretary stated that some unions had no printed receipt forms, but mt~resp of the worke~'s should be not t() labour for the interests of the a letter of acknowledgment of some kind or a signed cheque was always placed capitalists, but for. the mterests of the workers themselves, and for the interests before the Auditors. He thought Mr. TiUett's suggestion might be acted upon. of all the cO.llllllumty. H~ hoped that Conference, and the Conference held on The Auditors Report was unanimously adopted. ~uesday, Imght help to brmg about that common policy which would tend to lIberate the workm:s fr?m th.e conditions under which they lived, and bring about a state of sOCiety 1Il whICh they could be happy. and free (applause). ANNUAL REPORT. On the motion of Councillor Allan Gee, seconded by Mr. J. Maddison, a The Annual Report was then submitted. The first three pages were 'agreed1 vote of thanks was passed to the Lord Mayor. to without discussion as far as the second line on page 8. Tho .Lortl Mayor retul'Ued thanks and invited the delegates to dinner at The two following pages down to "the Oonciliation Act" on page 10, gave the ManslOIl House. rise to a lengthy discussion. ELECTION OF REGIS'l'RAR. Mr. Tillett asked that the Management Oommittee should make a statement with regard to the recommendation they had made on this subject . . On the motion of Mr. W. J. Davis, Councillor Will Thome was eleched regIstrar. Mr. O'Grady supported this request, I1nd Mr. Davis also thought this momentous questioll should not be passed over in a summary manner. ELECTION OF TELLERS. The Chairman said the matter would be brought before the Trades Union . ~essrs. W. Mullin and N. Parkes were unanimously elected to fill the Oongress in September, but he hoped, in the meantime, the Oonference would position of tellers. endorse the policy of the Management Oommittee. As far as a statement was concerned, the report explained the position very clearly. The three committees" AUDITORS' REPORT. with some legal assistance, had drawn up a measure of which the history was h d ~r. Sett~n gave Auditors' Report. He said the Manaaement Oommittee well known to most delegates. It was a three-clause Bill, but through lack of a one t, ell' work ~ery well. He and his colleague, M~'. Olynes, had to legal knowledge the name of the measure did not cover the third clause. The hake the s,une complamt as last year, that some secretaries nealecteJ. to put Bill was read under the name of the Trades Dispute Bill, and they therefore c eques t h rough the bank until after the accounts were auditAd ~ndthat th had to cut the third clause out. They had worked hard to get it through, but f did not obtain a majority on May 15th last. The Prime Minister suggested o ten negd,lected to send receipts for sums received, neces~itatin a neec1le~~ correspon ence. 0 that a small Oommittee of Inqniry be appointed, and this had been done. The three committees had decided to ignore the commission because there was no been ~~·o;d!.' Clynes endorsed this statement, stating that everything else had direct Labour man on it. ' Mr, Barnes, Amalgamated Society of Engineers, said the salient fact had not Wh ~~r. Davis said this matter had nothing to do with the auditors at all been mentioned. He thought the Trades Union Oongress would do exactly the e er or not a secretary presented ache f· t d' . the Federation it was different w'th d t que ?l' paymen, Id not concern opposite from what tbey had done. They were going to commit themselves to " I regal' 0 receipts. a definite policy, and it should not be done in a hurried manner or witbout calle~r!'g~:~:::!d i~~~~e tas/lOthing mOdre serio?s than this it could not be knowing exactly what they were doing and why they were doing it. Many of He moved the Fi~ . I Re eratlObn appeare to be 111 a sound financial position them would be delegates to the Trades Union Oongress themselves, and if they anCla epor e adopted. . were not careful they migbt make the General Oouncil look very foolish. He Mr. Ashton seconded, Mr. MulIen supporting. believed ante-Taff Vale would be carried at the next Trades Union Oongress. 14 15 If they wanted to revert to that position they must apply themselyes to the Union funds. Herc they had a point of agreement. There was, of course, a task in a matter-of-fact way, for the law had beeu altogether altered. The difference of opinion on the ante-Taff Vale position. If they got back to that position t.he ComI?ittee re~OJ~Il:1Cnded ,,:,"as. t~at they should .accept the liability position they would 110t be free from liability, as had been proved by the of the UlIlonfl, define that Iml)JlJty, andlulllt It as far as pOSSIble. That was the decision of the House of Lords. Again, they were not immune from the policy they were asked to assent to this afternoon. common law, and all were agreed that the individualmembel' was responsible '. The Chairman pointed ~ut it was necessary for them either to endorse for his own action when he committed an illegal action. How could they thIS paragraph or to expurge It. They had not all been of one mind on this refuse responsibility as a collective body if that collective body supported a question. definite course of action with its influence, machinery, and funds? They must , 1,11'. D~vis said he himse}f was in favour of the ante-Taft' Vale position. look at this question from the point of view of the employers. The ante-Ta"f£ The COllllluttee should state Its reasons for recommending a certain COurse. Vale position did not give them freedom from liability. It was doubtful If Parliament could pass a law to make any indiyidual 01' body immune from The Secretary to explain the point at issue read the last paraaraph on common law without helping to destroy the foundations for the protection of page D. I:> our Jives and our liberties. In my opinion, the most dignified position is to . . ~rl'. !yard s.a}c1 that in his opinion the ante-Taff Vale position was recognise that it was impracticable to get back to ante-Taff V~le; and if so, it mdmdualrsm typIfied. He. thought Trade Unions should recognise the law. would be dangerous to do so. We should try to get a Jaw whICh should define He. thought that h~lman SoclOty was an organism and that rights could only be where our liability begins and ends. Limited liability gives all the protection d~lInec1 ',:hcm dutIeS were accepted. The three committees havina discussed that they could c1esire. thIS quest;on th~l'oughly had dec~ded that the liability should be limited by the :ule~ of t~e SOCIety. Every SOCIety would not like to be liable for the acts of It was agreed that speeches be limited to five minutes. Its bxecutnTe, but t~Ie rules were supposed to be fashioned and formed by the Mr. Beadle said the opinions of the three committees was yery much members of the SOCIety. divided on this question. He did not agree with the last speaker. If they l\lr. Appleton said they only had to decide Up011 the phrase at the bottom admitted liability they gaye up the whole position laid down by their legal of page D. defenders in the 'raff Vale case. l\1r. Se~ton objected to the repUdiation of liability. He could not subscl'ibe Mr. Bell did not agree with Mr. Holmes. He was at a loss to :ll1ders~and to t.he appomtment of an executive body, which might break the rules of the why it was impossible to get back to the old position. If that was ImpOSSIble, ~OCIe.ty, and. that the society should then humiliate itself by sa in : We what was stated by the Management Committee was also impossible. He was ,tppomt:-(~ ~hIS body, they have broken the rules and we will not ~cc~Pt th prepared to accept liability if their opponents, the employers, could also be responsIjJlhty. ' e made to accept liability. Under the 01c1 position neither side was held to be Ur. O'Gr~dy said. he was one of the minority who was strongly in fayour responsible. of ~~te-Taff Ya:e, whIch was the only safe way out of the present difficult Mr. Steadman moved, and Mr. Ashtol1 seconded: "That the question be POSItlOll. He (hd not see why he could not go to the Tmde U' 0 and back tl at . 'f th' C s mon onO'ress now put." . 1 VIew, eve~ 1 . IS onference accepted this part of the report. Mr. O'Gl'ady suggested that the members of the Management Committee Mr. Freak agreed WIth the last speaker. abstain from voting, but the Chairman stated they were here as delegates, not as members of the committee. "l'el:e l\~~t ~~~~i:;~~i~~~\r~~~ l~~~~~e~~ ~~~d o~cit~: ~~:~~i~~ ~~al~e:pl~~l~l'bulneiofn~ t lelr own actIons. 0 OI For endorsement ...... 30 Against ...... 24 ¥r. Barn~s l11ovec1 and Mr. Holmes seconded that' the discussion ShOllld be adjourned tIll the morning. Paragraph from Conciliation Act, page 12, accepted, etc., etc. Paragraph relating to other National Committees. . °h11 the vote being taken,23 were for and 21 against the adJ'ouI'umellt, wh 1C was accordingly carried. Mr. Fox said in his opinion there was no necessity for three committees to be paid for doing the same work. Many men were members of all three com­ FRIDAY, AUGUST 10. mittees, and were being paid three times oyer. (No.) The meeting began at D-30 a m and the Cha' Mr. Warc1 suggested that this was grossly unfair. debate woulc1 b t' d . . u'man announced that the e con mue on the passage of report under discussion. Mr. Fox continued, hoping this might not occur again iu the future. Was it not possible to get one committee to do the work? He suggested this point Mr. Howadh supported the passin rr of the Comm'tt ' B . should be raised by the Management Oommittee during the coming year. not, however, think the LeO'islature would accept th 1 ee s h ~port. ?e dId 11:[ I:> e paragrap III questIon The Chairman asked if Mr. Fox was referring to the meeting of the three . r. Young referred to 111'. Bames' statement of h . t~ought the Conference might find itself in a false posit. \e tga~ ?edfore, ~nd committees to draft the Trades Dispute Bill. If so, on this point Mr. Fox Uongress reverted to ante-Tatf Vale. Th G . IOn 1 e ~a es Umon was mistaken. He did not understand what Mr. Fox meant by having one not know their own minds He thought t~ overntmdent would thlllk they did committee to do all the work. The work would not be done at all. This Committee. . ey wan e a stronger lead from the committee had definite work to do, so had the Parliamentary Committee and the Labour Representation Committee. Mr. Holmes thougHt it was perfectl fair t I f from the Management Committee Th/". Od a~.\. 01' some more guidance The Secretary bore out the statement of the Ohairman, and said that on • 11 one eSlle was to prote('t the Trade the Joint Committee members were only paid by one committee, and this hacl 16 17 been decided in advance bv Mr. Woods, Mr. l\facdonald, and himself. They Mr. Richards would like to move that the Management Committee should had tried to work thmw meetings as economically as possible. be empowered to invest in such societies. Mr. Davis said the three committees thought the Trades Union wished The Ohairman recommended Mr. Richards to write to new Management to make a joint effort as representing the united forces of the country. Oommittee. The Chairman said the question was not raised in this' paragraph. Mr. Richards said he would act on this suggestion. l'aragraph carried. The Ohairman announced that a printed report of International Conference Paragraph relating to Finance. would be sent out to delegates. . l'I[r. Thorne asked Whltt decision had been arrived at about the Penrhyn quarrYlllell. The Chairman said the Management Comlllittee thought the benefits to AMENDMENTS TO RULES. Penrhyn fihould Cellae at this Council, hut it was for the present meeting to r1eeic1e. Aurced. Rule 2, clause B :- Paragraph rclating to sound position and membership. Agreed. B. The General Oouncil shall meet annually; or oftener if necessary, and shall appoint at the l\Ir. Davis moved the report be adopted as a whole. Mr. Howarbh seconded. Aurel'd. Annual Meeting a Management Committee, such body to consist of fifteen members, including . Mr. Y~U!~g mised the question of the Federation assisting in organising Officers (Ohairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, ana ,,:trlOUS SOCIeties. three Trustees), who, together with the General The Chairman replied it was contrary to the rules. Secretary-who shall also be elected at the Annual l\'[eeting-shall be deemed the General Officers TREASURER'S REPORT. of the Federation. They shall remain in office for one year, but shall be eligible for re-election. FEDERA1'ION FINANCIAL ACCOUNT UP 1'0 AND INCLUDING JULY BRD, 190B. One member only from each Trade shall be allowed on the Management Committee. l?eposit Account .••.•.....••...•...... •.••...... •....•••• £26,724 15 11 Current" . . . • • • ...... • ...... • . . . . • ...... • • 1 371 8 11 Rule 2, clause 3 :- Leicester Corporation ....•...... " •... " ...... 40:000 0 0 Old ham " . . . . • ...... • ...... • • . . . . . • • • • . .. . 10,000 0 0 Amendment submitted by the National Amalgamated Operative Plasterers l3a.tlo)" . . • • . . . . •• . • • • • • . . . . • • • . • • . . • . • . • • . . . • . . 5,000 0 0 as follows, was agreed to :- To strike out the word "general" from lines 6 . £83,096 4 10 Ch C(J.ucs Issucd June 8th not presented...... 20 17 e and 8. Further amendment from same society was moved by Mr. M. Deller and £83,075 7 4 J\Ioncys received since July 1st, not included in Bank Account " 856 9 4 Mr. Crompton, and read :- Add to the same clause: "Nominations for the Total •..••.....••••.••• £83,931' 16 9 foregoing officers shall be made by the various ~i ' E.O.'s of affiliated societies, and forwarded by them, Ashton moved, Gardner seconded, adoption of report. Agreed. with suggestions for alteration of rules (if any), such nominations to be selected from those appointed Mr. Crompton asked about investments in Oorporation Stock. to attend the Annual Meeting (except that of Sec­ The Treasurer said it was only .a loan, and was realisable in six months. retary) the voting for all officers shall be by ballot." mterest.. Mr. Fox asked why the current account was not put where it could bear Mr. Sexton opposed. Mr. Barnes said he was prepared to vote in the minority. He wanted to The Treasurer said it ~ould amount to very little, as the amount of current account was always changmg. know, before he came to the Conference, for whom he was to vote. Mr. Thorne agreed with Mr. Barnes, but did not accept the latter part of COllllnISSlOll.l\'~r .. Ashton said it should be remembered that the bank did not charge the amendment. Mr. O'Grady asked if certain words could be altered. Mr. Gardner referred to the case of the A.S.E., which received 2t per cent. on current account from the London, City and Midland Bank. The Vice-Chairman ruled to the contrary. Mr. Richards said he thought the meeting could vote on half the amend­ sugfi{ested that the new Management Oommittee might take Th~thIS mto.Chairma~ consHleratlOn. ment, and would be quite in order. The Vice-Chairman would not agree to this. . Mr. ~i~haras aske~ if th~ lYfanagement Committee was prepared to invest III co-operatIVe productive SOCIeties. On the vote being taken, there voted- The Chairman said it might be a matter for future consideration. For the anlendment ...... 32 Against ...... '" 17 18 19

!lule 3 (Management Committee) :- Rule 4, clause 5 ;- 1. The i\Ittnagenent Committee shall meet I1S occasion requires, and shall discuss and advise on 5. All societies who are members of the Federa- the various questions which may be submitted to . tion must prove to the Management Committee them by the societies federated. When deemed that they are in a position to pay ten per cent. of necessary they may appoint deputations to ViSIt their members (who are likely to be involved in the parties involved in any difference, to negotiate any dispute) the benefit to which the members are WIth t1 view to settlement previous to a dispute entitled under the Society'S Rules for a period of taking place; or after it has commenced. eight weeks before the Management Committee Amendment submitted by the National A\nalgamated Union of Labour can sanction the members coming on the Federa­ and moved by Mr. Bell, who said there were cases where common action was tion funds. Where, in a dispute sanctioned by most desirable. the Management Committee, non-union men [11'e :Mr. Greig seconded. introduced to take the place of those on strike and other affiliated societies having members Add at the end of Clause 1; "They may also call employed in the same place have been consulted when necessary meetings of federated societies for and are willing that their members should come the purpose of common actiou in wages or other out in support of the society having the original questions affecting the interests of such societies, dispute, the Management Committee shall have the area from which the representation is drawn to power to pay benefit as per scale, to the society, be determined by the circumstances of each par­ or societies giving such support. ticular case. Any decision arrived at to be subject to the approval of the Management Committee." Amendment submitted by the Amalgamated Society of J oUl'l1eyman Felt Mr. Howl11'th said this rule might cause discussion, and would tend to Hatters, moved by Messrs. Mallalieu and Steadman, was agreed to (Rule 4, weaken the Federation. clause 5) ;- Ml. Wilkie supported the resolution. He said it would be an introduction Line 7, ·delete the word" eight'~ and insert the of the District Councils in a desirable form. There should be consultation word" twelve." between the various bodies which would lead to closer union. Mr. Crompton objected to the last clause in the amendment. Rule 4, clause 4 :- Mr. Bell said this clause was in accordance with the rest of the rules and was merely inserted to safeguard the Federation funds. . ' 4. Any society desirous of joining the Federa­ Mr. Best supported the amendment. tion shall pay ten per cent. of the average. worth per member of the class or scale the Ulllon 01' . . Mr. Fox said, had the pistrict Com?1ittees been in existence during the society is joining, in a~ditio:l to their entran.ce fee, dIspute on the North-East Coast, the varlOUS trades federated would have been but any society not m eXIstence at the tlln~ ?f called together for the consideration of the case. He strongly supported the alllendment. adoption of this scheme shall be allowed to Jom on payment of five per ce~t. of t~e aver~~e .worth Mr. Ward thought they were about to introduce an element of division in per member of the FederatIOn at tIme of Jomlllg. the Pederation. The Management Committee had often called conferences together, and that was the best method of conducting the business. Amendment to delete Rule 4, clause 4, was moved by Messrs. Davis and Mr. Fl.ynn said he agreed with this as a pious opinion. Ashton, and agreed to. lVIl> Barnes said he was inclined to accept Mr. Bell's statement, and he Rule 5, clause 1 :- ., Wl1S gomg to. vote for the ~ll1endment. He thought, however, the Executive ought tOr deCIde on the actlOn of. the m~ion, as they ~ere responsible for the 1. Au entrance fee of Id. per member shall be funds. The Management CommIttee Illlght call meetll1ITs to learn the facts paid by the respective societies to the Fe~eration. ann to endorse. They ought to have a voice in decidinO'° whether Federatio~ Each society shall pay for 90 per cent. of Its total funds should be applied in any dispute. 0 membership. Such membership shall be based OIl Amendment was carried. the last quarterly return of each society, and every ~lUl'ther amendment submitted by the Amalgamated Society of Journey­ society affiliated shall send in a retul'l1 of its total men] elt Hatters was lost :_ membership quarterly to the Federation. That the following be added as Clause 5 viz' Amendment moved by 1\1:essrs. Davis and Ashton was agreed to (Rule 5, "The Committee shall have power to join' issu~ clause 1);- with the Parliamentary Committee of Trades Delete all words down to "Federation" in line Congr~ss and th~ Executive of the Labour Repre­ ~' 3, and add: "Societies joining on the higher scale sentatlOn 90mIlllttee to promote and publish a " shall pay an entrance fee of Bel. per member; ~'epresentatlve official journal in the combined those joining on lower scale shall pay 3d. per mterest of the organised Labour movement." I member." 20 21 Rule 6, clause 1 :- Mr. Wilkie said he was surprised to see this revolutionary resolution on 1. There shall be two scalefl of contributions, the agenda paper. But there was a feeling that the contribubiOl1s were too termed the "higher" and "lower" scale. The large for the benefits paid. The great idea of the l!'ederatiol1 at the inception contrihutions to -the higher scale shall be sixpence of the whole thing was not financial benefit. Some limit to the financial per member per quarter, and to the lower scale safety of the Federation should be laid down in the future. His society valued threepence per member per quarter, which shall the Federation acting as an advisory and conciliatory power. he paid by the respective societies on the same basis as the entrance fee, viz.: on ninety per Mr. Curran said this resolution would completely revolutionise the cent. of the total membership, exclusive of super­ financial basis of Trade Unionism. . aunuated membership, and be paid on the mem­ Mr. Sexton said Mr. O'Grady had put his case almost exactly. There was hership as per previous quarterly report of the the greatest difficulty in the unskilled trades in getting in the levy. respective societies. In the event of this sum Mr. Hornidge opposed the resolution. No society was of any importance being inadequate to meet the outlay, the Manage­ that had not a big banking account. ment COllllllittce shall have power to raise the con­ tribution up to double the respective contributions Mr. Davison said that if his society had not a big banking accollnt it would per member per quarter, but not to exceed that be most unfortunate for its members. If the Federation were to be a success amount. the bond of brotherhood must be extended. He strongly opposed the resolution. Hulo 6, clause 1 :- The amendment was lost. Further amendment submitted by Amalgamated Society of House Amendment submitted by A~algamated Society of Engineers :_ Decorators and Painters :- Strike out first 10 lines of present rule and insert That the words" ninety per cent." be deleted the following: "Each society on the higher scale and" eighty per cent." substituted. shall pay quarterly the sum of Gd. per rq.ember on Moved by Mr. Johnson. DO por cent. of their total membership (excepting superallllU(tted members) until such time as their Seconded by Mr. Butcher. total payments (less benefit received) has reached Lost. the sum of 5s. per member, and el1ch society on the Another amendment submitted by National Amalgamated Union of lower scale shall pay quarterly the sum of 3d. per Labour :- memher on DO per cent. of their total membership Substitute for" sixpence" in the third line "foul'­ (super.annuated members excepted) until such time pence," and for" threepence" in fifth line substitute as theIr total payments (less benefits received) has "twopence," so as to make the scales of contri­ reached the sum of 28. 6d. per member, after which butions fourpence and twopence per quarter. they shall pay each quarter (or oH en er if found necessary) such sum as will maintain their pay­ Moved by Mr. Bell. ments at the above mentioned amount. All other He said this was a proposal to reduce contributions by one-third. The rules to be altered accordingly when necessary. Federa.tion was prepared to pay only a small benefit, and did not require such a large banking account . ."!:I!r. Barncs 1l10ve~ the amendment,. saying it was a revolutionary resolution and ,tuns at an alte~atlOn of the finanClal basis of the Federation. It meant Mr. Freedman secondecl that\~h~se who receIV.ed benefit from the Federation should also pay in to the Mr. Young opposed. FedemtJ~n. . SomethlD~ would have to be done to protect certain Unions which Mr. Baxter said he was instructed by his union to oppose any reduction were ,Paymg lU ItIl the time and to restrict certain Unions which were al in contributions to funds. ~,r~wlU~ out. Tho~e wI:o were introduced ill the financial success ott;;:! EederatlOn would give thIS matter careful consideration. Mr. Bal'lles said he would vote for the amendment, as it went somewhat in the direction he wished them to go. He was totally against raising a big b Mr. !!,lynn, in seconding, said in his opinion the various unions should fund; it was not wise or necessary. ank theIr funds and pay a nominal sum to the Federation It w t through the accumuln,tion of millions they could Oppose the empioyers. as no Mr. O'Grady said he supported Mr. Bell's amendment, though he opposed the one moved by Mr. Bal'lles. ~fr. O'Grady opposed the amendment. He believed in havin a strOll Mr. Mallalieu wished to express the opposite view. The time had not yet b~~lkl!1g acco;ll1t. ~'he employers always looked upon this as the gstrongesf come for them to reduce their income. Their financial position had never yet all;!llnent. Sometllln~, h?wever, .night be done to protect some societies been tried, but a crisis might be at hand. No one could assert that a wInch were always paylllg III and never drew anything out. halfpenny a week was a large sum to be paid by any skilled artisan. M~. How.arth said he should vote against the resolution It would b Mr. Crompton hoped the Conference would vote str?ngly against this almost ImpOSSIble for some societies to pay back their debt to the Federation. e resolution. He looked forward to the day when the FederatIOn wonld not only 1fr. Renacles SUpported the amendment be able to give benefit, but to support any dispute without touching the funds of any society. 22 23 hlr. Ashton said if benefit were paid in a large dispute the funds were not Proposed addition to Rule 7 :- suflicient to pay one week's benefit. Submitted by United Carters' Association, mover.1 by 111'. Astles, and :\[1'. Greig supported. Mr. Shea:- 6. In the event of a member 01' members of The amendment was lost. an affiliated society being thrown out of work, the result of a dispt:te between the members of another Further amenoment submitted by the Amalgamated Society of Felt Hat society and their employers, such member or Trimmers' Union (Rule G, clause 1) :- mem.bers shall receive the Federation Benefit, prOVided the said dispute has received the sanction Line 9, delete the word "membership" and of the society directly affected. The clause insert" or retired contributing members." sh~ll also apply to a member 01' members thrown out of Mr. Bennett moved. work through [1 dispute between the members of a non-affiliated society and their employers. Mr. l!'ox seconded. 1\,[1'. Fox supported. He said he had contended for this point ever since the l!'ederation had been formed. 2\11'. Davis said it was an important matter, but he did not see what check there wouhl be for the secretary if it were passed. The difficulty would be to For the Amendment ...... lB .. know if the returns were properly made out. Against " ...... 31.

1\[1.'. Barnes askec1 if these men paid into the Federation func1s. AFTERNOON SITTING. Mr. Mallalieu explained that a man who went into business paid 2c1. Mr. Curran in the chair. a week to retain nominal membership. He could not engage in a dispute and so dic1not pay the Federation levy. ' Two clauses on page 10 adoptell. Rule 7, new clause:- }\Il'. Wilkie thought this was not in the category of superannuatec1 members. Notification of all movements which may lead to Mr. Crinion said this was a matter for the society itself. disputes should be sent to General Oilice as soon as The amendment was defeated. entered upon, and claim for benefit made immedi­ ately men cease work. No claim for benefit shall Rule 7, clause 3 :- be entertained unless submitted to the Management Committee within foUl' weeks of men cea:;;ing work. 3. No benefit shall be paid to any society havinO' Moved by Messrs. Davis and O'Grac1y, anc1 ag1'eed to. a dispute until s~ch dispute has been in progres~ for SIX clear workmg days, when they shall be en­ Rule 9, clause 1:- titled to one week's benefit. The benefit shall be 1. Two Auditors shall be appointec1 at the 5s. per \'!'eek per member on the higher scale and Annual Meeting to serve for twelve months, who 28. tid. per week per member on the lower scale shall auc1it the financial transactions of the which shall be paid by the Federation to th~ Federation each quarter, and report to the societies implicat0d, a proportionate allowance to Management Committee and General Council. be made for odd days after the first week. 2. The Secretary shall supply each society with Rule 7, clause 3:- sufficient copies of the Quarterly Balance Sheet to enable them to give each of their branches a copy. Amendment submitted by Printers and Transferers' Trade ProtectIOn SDciety:- The following amendments submittec1 by the National Association Operative Plasterers :- We propose to add the following words: "Where an ~f'tiliate.d society's members are stopped through Rule 9, clause 1 :-- (t dispute ~n another trade or branch, such society To read: "Two Auditors shall be appointec1 at shall receIVe half the benefit they would receive the Annual Meeting, from the nominations sent in were they themselves in dispute." by the affiliated societies, such nominations to be from those appointed to attend the Annual Meeting ; W(1S moved by Mr. Parkes and Mr. Hassall. their term of office shall be for one year. They Mr. Gardner opposed. shall audit the financial transactions of the Federation each quarter, anc1 report to the Amendment lost. Management Committee. The voting shall be by ballot." 24 25 Rule 0, clause 3:- Mr. Freak conveyed fraternal greetings to the Oonference from the Labour Add: After "Quarterly Ba,lance Sheets," " and Representation Committee. Auditors' Report." were (/rJl'wd to. Mr. Thome asked the Oouncil to endorse Mr. Mitchell's candidature for BETHESDA DISPUTE. Darlington. STATEMENT BY MR. D. R. DANIELS. Mr. Ashton seconded. Ca1'ried 'Ilnanimollsly. 1fr. Daniels expressed his regret at coming year after year to trouble them Mr. Mitchell read a letter from Mr. Woods. with thc same measure. He was sorry to learn the benefit was to cease after the 10th of the present. He had received great kindness from the Management Mr. Ashton moved it be entered on the minutes. AgreecZ. Committee lmd had nothing to complaill of. Last year he learned that the Council \vished an attempt to be made to approach Lord Penrhyn and in less LETTER FROM: l\IR. WOODS. tlum a fortnight they bad acceded with this request. Lord Penrhyn immediately took it as a sign of weakness and demanded unconditional The Trades Union Congress Pal'liamenktl'y Committee, surrender. That was in September, and since then they had made other Albany Buildings, 47, Victoria Street, Westminster, attempts. They had done all in their power to meet Sir Edward Clarke's London, S.W., 18th June, 1903. wishes in the matter but the result had been nil. The speaker then reviewed Dear Ml'. lVIitchell, the position and the events that had taken place since then. There was a Yom letter sent here yesterday (by express) I read to the Parlia­ proposltl now on foot to open new quarries, and if this could be done it would mentary Oommittee, and after some discussion the Oommittee didl~Ot think it be a great boon to the quarrymen. If this were done the whole business would necessary to appoint representatives to attend yom forthcommg annual have justified itself. Everything depended on the decision of the Council meeting to be held at Dublin on the 9th and 10th .July, but at the same time to-day, nnd he hoped those present would give the matter their best considera­ they desired me to convey to your Federation their hearty good wishes for the tion. There waB very little difference in their position from that of three years success of the movement in which you are engaged. My Committee is delighted ago. They had clone their very best to carry out the wishes of the Committee, to notice the success which has hitherto attended your efforts, and trust that but it was impossible to clraw a hard and fast line. Following a searching you will go on from victory unto victory, until yo~ achiev.e gre~ter success in cross-examination into the position, a resolution was submitted by Mr. Goodhay the future than anything in the past. The Oommlttee deSire thIS to be read to instructing the Management Oommittee to continue benefit for another 12 the delegates at the Conference. months if n.ecessary, to which an amendment was moved by Mr. Freak leaving the matter in the hands of the Management Oommittee. There voted for With kindl'egards, I am, yours faithfully, amendment, 28; for motion, 21. S. WOODS. Rule 12:- ELECTION OF OFFICERS. HEMUNERATION OF OFi'IOERS. The following were elected :- Secretary £182 per year. Treasurer £10 Ohairman.· Mr. Pete CUTran. Vice-Chai1·man.· Councillor Allen Gee. " Treas7t1'm': Mr. J, Maddison. Secl'etary: Mr. Isaac H. Mitchell. Tnlstees: Committee, Trustees, and A1tclito/'i;, etc., Expenses. Messrs. Alex. Wilkie, Jas. Holmes, and G. N. Bames. 12s. 6d. per day and 3rd Olass Raill!'are. Local members lOs. per day. COMMITTEE. Sec1'Ctm'Y's Expenses. Nine additional members were required to complete the Committee, 13 10s. per day if out of town overniaht. 6s. per being nominated, the following being successful :- day if business allows of return same day. Messrs. T. Asht~n, J.P., Cotton Spinners; W. J. Davis, Amalgamated Brassworkers; J. N. Bell, National Amalgamate~ U?ion of La?o~r; ~en Page 12-amendrnent submitted by the Barge Builders' Trade Union ;_ Tillett Dockers' Union' T. Mallalieu, Felt Hatters Umon; Jas. OrllllOn, Card Remuneration of Officers (Secretary) delete the and Blowing Room Ope~atives; Jas. O'Grady, FUl'l1ishing Tr~des' Associ~tion ~ sum of "£182 per year," and insert" £208 pCI' W. C. Steadman, L.O.O., Barge Builders; John Ward, NaVVies and BUIlders year." Labourers' Union. Mr. SteadJ?an m~ved the first amendment on page 12. In his opinion, a AUDITORS. wor~ll1an reqUIred a higher salary when fulfilling an office than when working Seven were nominated, the two successful being Mr. J. ~. Olynes (Gas­ at ~IS trade. The secretary was one of the ablest and most conscientious workers) and Co~ncillor T. F. Richards (Boot and Shoe OperatIVes). offiCIals he had known~ Had he expressed his own opinion he would have put down an amendment to give the secretary £300. PLACE OF NEXT MEETING. M;. Mullins se?onded, saying that he did so on the instructions of his ~'he following places were voted upon :-Newcastle-on-Tyne, 13; Man­ Oomrnltt~e. Mr. ~Iltchell looked well after the finances, and he had great pleasure m secondmg the proposal. Amendment carried. chester, 5; London, 5; Bristol, 29. Bristol, which received the majority of votes, was decided upon. - 26 Mr. Barnes moved that the Bristol Trades Oouncil be asked to make the necessary arrangements in conjunction with the secretary. Agreed. Mr. Shell. asked that delegates should be informec1 beforehand of any arrangements that were made for the conveni.ence and entertainment of REPORT delegates. OF :Mr. Wilkie suggested that instead of the meetings previously held 6t11b;b ~ntel;ttati.oltal Qtottr~l;~lU:.e ,of arrangements be made for a meeting, semi-social or otherwise, of the branch ('omnllttees of the several societies of the trades iu the Federation in the town ,:'11ere the c\llllual General Oouncil is being held, with the general representa­ 6trL'tb.e ~ttb:rlt J1~b.el;ation~'i. tiYes attelldll1g the S11me.

1\1r. S:l1i~h (Gasworkers) submitted a proposal with a view of securinCf lllo~'e ~.nanllmty .amon,gst the delega,tes attending this Oouncil Meeting on th~ MANSION fIOUSE, DUBLIN, JULY 7th, 1903. mosl, vItal, questIOn dIscussed at thIS Oonference-i.e., the Leaal Position of T\[~de UnIons. :' I move tha~ a special meeting of the Federa"tion be held at LeIcester on the SatUl'day prevlOus to the Trades Union Oongress." • Mr. Freak seconded. The Chairman (Mr. Pete Ourran) presided. The fo!'eign representatives present were: Germany, O. Legien, Membel' ,1\11'. Ward wo?ld ask the delegates to pause before passing this resolution. of German Reichstag (Secretary German Federation); 1\11'. Sassenlmch; It \\ould. look as If they were trying to overawe the Trades Union 00 Austria, Mr. Hueber, Vienna (Secretary Austrian Trade Union Federation); The motIOn was lost. ngress. Italy, A. Oabrini, 1\fember of Chamber of Deputies (Italian Jo'ederation); Denmark, O. ::'V1. Olsen, Copenhagen, Member of DanishPal'liament, (President The secretary was instructed to supply each union affiliated with a photo. Danish Trade Union Federation); Holland, G. van Erkel, Amsterdam (Secre­ of the delegates. tary Dutch Trade Union Federation), A. W. Ammerlaan, Amsterdam (President Dutch Trac1e Union Federation); France, G. Yvetet, Paris (Oonfederation Oomrade Van El'kel, of Holland, then addressed the Oonference. Generale du Travail), V. Griffuelles, Paris (Confeileration GenErale du Travail). The members of the committee of the General Federation of Trade Unions . Messrs. A,Ppleton and Ashton moved that the secretary write the Lorc1 present: Mr. Pete Ourran, Gasworkers and General Labourers' Union; ~lyor fxpressmg the thank~ of the d~legates for the kind manner in which he Councillor Allen Gee (vice-chairman), Yorkshire Textile Workers; Mr. J. a~ weblcomed them to DublIn, and hIS personal intere&t in makina their visit . enJoya e. b Maddison (treasurer), Friendly Society of Ironfounders; l\1r. Alexander Willde (trustee), AS"lociated Shipwrights; Mr. G. N. Barnes (trustee), Amalgamated Society of Engineers; Councillor ,T. Rolmes (trustee), Hosiery Workers' D blfessrs. Dayis anc1 Sexton moved a simila1' resolution to be sent to the u m Tramway Company, Messrs. Powers an.d Guinens. Federation; Mr. T. Ashton, J.P., Ootton Spinners; Mr. J. N. Bell, National Amalgamated Union of Labour; Mr. J. Orinion, Card and Blowing Room A vote of thanks ~as accorded to Mr. Nannetti by acclamaticn. Operatives; Mr. W. J. Davis, Amalgamated Brassworkeril; Mr. T. Mallalieu, Felt Ratters' Union; Mr. J. O'Grady, National Amalgamated Furnishing Trades' Association; Mr. W. C. Steac1man, L.U.O., Barge Builders; Mr. Ben TilIett, Dockers' Union; Mr. John "Ward, Navvies, Builders' Labourers and COMPLIMENTARY BANQUET. General Labourers' Union; and Mr. Isaac H. Mitchell, secretary. On the evenin" of July 9th tl L'd M entertained the df>~ at le or ayor, Mr. T, O. Hal'rington, M.P. Mr. J. P. Nannetti, M.P., was also present. ho had invited to a of represent,ative t?:vnspeople The Oh airman said he had no doubt that their friends at the Press table ~1e:tS t~~~ t~~~bbr. ng who~ Mayor (who presided) the offic~rs and d:i res~~t, ~r; addItIOn to the Lord were struck with the smallness of the present gathering, but they would take Meoting, Mr. J. P. Na'nnetti M PM, F' el~a ~: ~ en mg the General Oouncil it as being perfectly correct from him when he said that the gathering, small wore the Labour melubers ~f tile" o·r ole "1' Thanc1 others, amongst whom though it appeared to be, represented more organised workmen than any mingled with the other uests ,,1 Y ounCl. e ~el~gates were happily gathering that had met in Dublin during the industrial history of that country. provided by the Lord Mag or's 'e Cl e,tyoneth?ro~ghly enJoymg the gOQcl things They had, as would be seen from the agenda paper, representatives present which followed were liste~ed t~ ,~ftlhOUS hosplta!lttJ,', and the .music and speeches from the Federationd of Austria, Italy, Denmark, Holland, France, and, though an appreCla !Ve attentIOn. last not least, Germany; also from Norway, although the :Federation cf that country was not mentioneci on the agenda paper, because the name of the delegate came late. Taking the millions of Trade Uuionists that were represented in that room, they could all regard the present gathering as a most imp:>rtant one from an international and industrial point of view. This question of international meetings only arose some two years ago, when the Danish Federation invited delegates from the federations of the other European 28 29 countries. German.v followed on last year. At their meeting at Stuttgart for thp transaction of their own national affairs they summoned a second inter­ The Chairman next introclucecl Mr. J. P. Nannetti, 1LP., to the meeting, national congress similar to the present one, and the delegates who went to saying ~hat Mr. Nannetti h~d the ad?itional accomplishment of being a workiog Germany invited international delegates to the present conference in Dublin. cO!nposIt~r bef~)l'e he. we~lt lll~O ParlIament. Re represented Labonr and also The General Fedcration of Trade Unions, of course, covered Great Britain and I1'1sh NatIOnalIst aSpiratIOns In the Rouse of Commons. Ireland, and though the headquarters of most of their federal societies were on Mr. N ann.etti said he felt it an honour to have the privilege of welcoming the other side of St. George's Channel, yet a number of their federal unions had them to that CIty. The Lord Mayor would give them a personal welcome next a large membership in different parts of Ireland (heal', hear.) Consequently Thl~rsday, and he (Mr. Nannetti) would not now attempt to step into his shoes, whilst they w~r~ mee~ing in the.capital city of Ireland, i~ was just as appropriat~ as It would take away from the honour and the warmth of the welcome which lL place to 1JI.ee~ III a~ III t!le capital o~ Engla~ld. He In,Jght also say that they he was sure they would receive from the Chief Magistrate of the city. But he representetllt1term~tlOnahsm from anllldu~trIal standpomt, and that, irrespective trusted that they would all enjoy their visit to Dublin, and that it would be of whem they met, they wanted to make It perfectly clear that they regarded gooc1 both for themselves and for the cause that they representea. As a the struggle of the workers in every country, whether republican or monarchial Dublin man he was proud to see present gentlemen who represented the land from lLll.ecollOl.nic_point o~ view, to be in exactly the same position. The object of his fathers; and he wa'l· also proud itS a member of the British ParIhtment of holdmg tl1ls l.nteruatlOoal Conference was chiefly to bring about closer to offer them a corc1ial Welcome, and to know that while they were in this bonds .o~ harlIJony and go?d-fellowship, or, might he say, comradeship, between country they would receive a general cenrl mile tailte. Re would now only the (~Ifiere~t Tm?e Ul1lons throughout Europe. Re was sorry that the announce that, in conjunction with Mr. Mitchell, he had made arrangements AlUerwall lederatlOn of Labour was not represented there that afternoon and to enable the delegates to visit various industrial concerns in the city, !w thou~ht that spec!al efforts should be made to have it represented at f~tUl'e including the Electric Lighting Station of the Corporation, and the Main mternatlOnal gat~erIngs. But, at any rate, they might be satisfied thl:tt, Drainage Works at the Pigeon Rouse (applause). although an Am~l'lCan delegation was not present, they (the meetioa) had the l~,earty co-operatIOn ~nd sympathy of t~e American Federation of Lab~ur in any Thanks were voted to Mr. Nannetti. Eu:opean undertakIng that they mIght have, so far as federated trades Copies of a report prepared by Hen Legien, Secretary 6f the German SOCletl?S were concerned. It would, however, make their international Federation and International Conference, were distributed. It gave informa­ g::the~lIlg8, much 1,11ore complete to have Am~rican delegates w!th them. They tion as to what had been done at the Stuttgart Conference and as to other \\'Ll~ted th,Lt afternoon, as far as they pOSSIbly could, to arrIve at a general matters. (Page 32.) ?asl.s of ag,l'eement whereby ~l~ions throughout Europe could assist each other lU tunes of e~n~l'ge~cy and dlfhCl~lty. "~he one great driLwback that they had In the course of the subsequent proceedings the questions and remarks of f~ll1,ld-anc11t ,tppl~e~l to the Umted h.l11~dom more than to any other part; of the foreign delegates were translated to the meeting. E,Ulope~was the dIf'f,rcultyof understandmg each other's languages (hear, hear). So far as understt~nc1lUg the languaae of other nations was concerned they wer M. GriffueIles, of the Confederation Generale de Travail of Paris, asked rather behind their European couu':'ades. Many delegates sittIng in the bo~l; what were the conditions under which delegates wel'e received to the Inter­ of the hall, \:-ho had Come from other nations, were able to understand and national Conference. Re understood that a delegate from Portugal, who was to .speak their language; but, unfortunately few of them were able to on the point of starting for Dublin, had received a letter telling him not to recll~rocate that .a:1rnirable quality. But the 'difftlrences of lanO'uaae should come, as he had not complied wlth the necessary conditions. not },ooP. thel~l ~1!mled. Wheth~r they investigated the position'" of "'affairs in The Chairman explained that the communication of the delegate was not ll1on~~cb~al C~e~m:lI1Y or repubhcan France, 01' in republican America or sent to the propel' quarter. The only condition of admission was that the n:?I:~~t~l1ai Brltall~, they .fo~ncl that, practically speaking, the economic delegate represented a bona-fide Federation of Trade Unions. s tu",,,, e 0 the Trade UIllOlllsts was one and the same throu hout ever ~(!f~Il~:'y; a~Icl consequently neither .language nor political diffel'en~es nor th~ Mr. Barnes said he was glad this point hac1 been raisec1. They all desired 1 ele.nce~ ,Ill t~le customs. of the varIOUs llaLions ShOUld keep them a art so far to keep the movement as wide as possible. But some of them were Trade as the ullIficatlOll of tho Illterests of the workers of the different nltionalities Unionists pure and simple; some of them might be Socialists; and as a matter was concerned. The agenda paper iJl' t1:tat afte1'lloon contained ~u est' of fact there were some Anarchists amongst them; but anarchism had no ~'O::~l thb Geneml. F:deratipn .of Tracle U nious; an~ he was pleased tog~ee ~h~~ place in their deliberations, for their object was organisation and not anarchy. n:. er of othel suggestIOns had been sent 11l from variolls continental They wanted to define their position, which was contrary to anarchism. conntrIes, and these also appearea in the paper. All these h 1 h ' they wore t I tl f s Owec ow near ' 0 eac 1 0 JOl' so ar as their general method of 'k' M. Griffuelles, French delegate, proposec1 the following resolution:­ " France requests ,that all countries be in~i~ed to .th~ ~;tternational Conference, rF.~f:i~~~tes ~~?e~.~e~~~rZ! ~il~;~~oi~c~ !~d f:~l:~:::~nOl~~a~~~s~~i:.:~f{::~~~~ and that every cbuntry be allowed to partICIpate m It, tClr own countrIes; and he also offered them 't heart welc t th . of the Trnited Kingdom where Trade Unionist;1 had had a~~~ ~t ~t. portlO The Chairman said the words

...... ------~----- 30 31 Conferellce, but it should be represented from a central organisation, and the Time and place of the next International Conference will be determinated delegate sent should be an inhabitant of that country. by the Conference held for the time being. Agreed. Hen Legien said it had been settle~ last year at . St~ttgart tha,t the basis Submitted by the General Federation of Trade Unions:- of representation was national, and not Isolated orgamsatIOns. (2) "That the cost of the work of the Conference for the past year be This being generally agreed to, the action of the Chairman in regard to the eaually bome by tbe German and British Federations, ana that to meet future delegation from Portugal was endorsed. expenditure the Federation of each country contribute 6d. per 1,000 members to a joint fund." SubllJitted by the General Federation of Trade Unions :_ Upon the suggestion of Herr Legien (Germany) the foregoing resolution (1) "Recognising that a closer bond of unity should exist ~etween the was withdrawn, it being unanimously agreed that future expenditure should be National Trade Union .Federations of the world, and that such umty can best borne equally by each Federation in proportion to its membership. be fostered by an intimate knowlec1ge of the progress of the movemen~ in the v:trious countries, the orga,nisations representec1 at this Conference agree to After some discussion as to whether the seat of the International Organisa­ forward to the Secretary of the Conference a report of the movement in their tion should be ('hanged from year to yeal' to the vd.rious countries affiliate d to respeetive countries t\vice each J ear, such report to be confined to a statement the International Federation, on the motion of the Chairman it was deoided of facts. Two copies to be sent to each Federation by the Secretary of the that the General Secretaryship shall remain in Germany until the next Conference" Conference. Agreed to, with the following amendments and additions :_ (3) On the question as to where the next International Conference shall be held, the Chairman said that at tbe Stuttgart Conference it was deemed SWEDEN.-To put in tbe first part instead of" twice a year," "to send in a desirable that the Internationa.l Conference and the National Conference of the report about the movement in tiJeir countries to the office of the Conference particular country should be held at the same time and place; and on that once a year." Agrced. principle the present meetings were taking place in Dublin. SWITZEULAND.-To make the following addition to the first part: "In case (4) Mrs. Macpherson said the French delegates were authorised ~o invit;e of greater striketi and lock-outs weekly reports about the situation are to be the International Conference to France next year, as tbey would be holdmg theIr sent to the NatiODlLl Secretaries," for the purpose of counteracting the oHen National Conference then, but if the International Conference was not held ulltrue reports of the bourgeois press. Agreed. until 1905, although France would still be please~ to welcome them, there would be no National Conference held at the same time. GEmrANY.-To give to the resolutions formed on the second International Conference the following precise terms: "The International Conference of the It was then agreed unanimously that the next International Conference NlLtiolla~ Secretaries of Trade UniOl~s designat~s an International Secretary of shall take place in Holland in 1905; the International Conferences to be held the NatlOna.1 Centres ~f Trade Umons, who IS bound to keep up a co1'1'es­ in future every two years. pOIl?ence WIth th.e natIOnal centres, to elaborate the yearly reports of the NatIOnal Secretal'les and to send them to the different national centres in the olliciallanguages (English, French and German)." Agrced. . On request of a ~ational centre the International Secretary is also bound, In case of greater strikes or lock-outs, to submit an application for relief to all national centres.

The nn.tional centre which presents such an application for relief must enclose a report stating :_

(a) The number on strike and the number employed in the industry affected;

(b) The number of workmen in the country anc1 the number organised; (c) What means of relief will be afforded in their Own country.

'The different national centres decide 011 the granting of help. The cont~ibutions for relief are to be sent directly to the national centre t!lat has appIJed for them, but same is obliged to send to the International Secre.tary. a re~ort ab?ut the total expenses for the strike and about the cont~'lbutI?ns of the different. countries. These statements are also to be mto the l'OP?l't th!Lt IS SUbmitted to the International Conference of theadmltte~ NatlOnal Secretanes. 33 The national secretaries present on the Stuttgart Conference have declared their accession to the resolutions of the conference and to the international centre, either on the conference itself, or by writings sent later on. Thus only REPORT the National Centres of Trade Unions in America, Australia, Belgium, Finland, OF THE Japan, and Hungary may be looked upon as not connected. Since a more precise form is likely to be given to the resolutions formed on International Centre of the National Trade the International Conference held in Stuttgart, it will be necessary to address a formal interpellation to the national centres not connected yet, whether they Union's Centres. will declare their accession. Another resolution of the second Conference wall formed with a view of getting centralised t~e statistics about .the strength and capability of the ~rade From JUNE, 1902, t111 JUNE, 1903. Unions of all countrIes. To that end It was proposed to take as a baSIS the statistical method employed in Germany since the year 1890. Owing to the removal of the domicile of the German Trade Unions' General Commission from Hamburg to Berlin, it had not been possible to get translated during the last year the formularies employed for the statistics of The second international conference of the National Secretaries of Trade Trade Unions and it was not till the end of February, 1903, that these Unions arrreed upon exerting itself with a view to oblige those national formularies cO~lld be forwarded to the national secretaries. It is very possible organi8ati~ns not yet attached to the international centre, to enter into close that the time for the preliminary work of the statist~cs, whi?h sho~ll(l be ready connection with the same. . in the beginning of June, was too short, so that It w~s l~lposslble for the In order to inform the national centres of the countries not represented on different national centres to draw up a report on the SItuatIOn of the Trade this conference about the resolutions formed there, as well as to make known Unions in the year 1902 till the time mentioned. Reports arrived from those resolutions to the Trade Unions of the countries joined, the protocol of the Enaland and France. The former gives account of the situation of the Trade conference was printed and edited in three languages (German, English, and U nTons in the year 1901, while the latter is drawn up in quite general terms. French). Of these protocols received: N either of the two is based upon the materials obtained after tbe method of statistical inquiries used in Germany. America (American Federation of Labour), 150 copies; Austl'alia (the foUl' National Omces in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and For Sweden the statistics for 1901 could be taken from the report which Victoria, together), 80 copies; Belgium (Commission Syndicale), 50 copies; the Landssecretariatet had submiLted to the Swedish Congress of Trade Unions. Denmark (De Sfl.11lvirkende Fagforbund), 35 copies; England (General Federa­ The same may be said of Austria, whel'e the statistics are drawn up after the tion of Trade Unions), 150 copies; Finland (Finslm Arbetareparpiets Stypelse), method used in Germany, and have been finish.ed. for 1902. All the. other 15 copies; France (Confederation Generale du Travail), 140 copies ; Japan countries connected commnnicated that the statlstlCs were not yet fimshed. (Redaction The Labour World, Tokio), 10 copies; Italy (Segretariato Centrale, In Germany, too, the statistics for 1902. could not be finished till. the etc.), 100 copies; Netherlands (National Arbeids Secretariaat), 30 copies; middle of June. The elections for the RelChstag, now concluded, claImed Norway (Landssecretariahet), 20 copies; Austria (Gewerkschaftskommission so much the strength of the persons. occupied in lea~ing places in the Oestreichs, Biihmische Gewerkschaftskommission), 60 copies; Sweden (Lands­ Trade Unions pal·t of whom were nonllnated for the RelChstag 01' engaged secretariahc~), 20 copies; Switzerlann. (Schweizer Gewerkschaftsbund), 60 in the aaitati~n that all work not absolutely pressing had to be put as.ide, copies; Spain (Secretariat du Travail), GO copies; Hungary (UngarHi,ndischer so that the elab~ration of the statistical material in the different T~'ac1e UnIong Gewcrkschaftsrat), 15 copies. could not take place. It is likely that. matter~ ha-:e stood thus .m Denmark too, since there the elections for the RelChstag lIkeWIse took place m the month For Germany the report on the International Conference was adjoined to of June. the protocol of the debates of the fourth Congress of Trade Unions, and thus 53,000 copies were distributed amongst the members of the German Trade Since the obtaining of statishics about the situation of the Tr~de Unions in Unions. 1902 could not be relied upon from the greater part of the countnes connected Of the countries which received the protocol, America, Australia, Belgium, till the holding of the Internation~l .Confer~nce, it ,was decided nO.t to send a J!'inlaml, Japan, and Hungary were not attached to the International Centre, special list of queries for the statIstICS of mternatIOnal Trade UnIons, as we and therefore not represented at the Conference. had announced in our circular of the 23rd February, 1903. It has. now to be ascertained whether and when the statistics for 1902 can be furnIshed, and In July, 1902, tbe Secretary for New South Wales (Australia,) Mr. Smith, whether ad abstract of the statistical materials obtaine~ fr?m every country sent a report on last year's International Conference, and a report was likewise has to be made by the international centr~s, or whether It WIll be n~cessary to sent from Hungary. !from Belgium only the receipt of the protocol was send a special list of qneries to the natIOnal centres of Trade UnIOn~ .. We confirmed, ancI. from Fmland only some correspondence arrived before the confidentlv rely upon the providing of statistics on ~he ,Part of the dlffer~nt second ~nternatIOnal Conf~rence. All other circulars and writings sent to the national centres, which will be submittcd to the orgamsatlOns of the countries secretal'les of those countrIes, as well as to all other national secretaries were connected in a special notice. not replied to. America and ,T apan have not answered either of the w;itings conceJ:ning last year's conference, or the circulars sent during the period of Besides, in conformity with the resolu~ion of the ~econ~ Intern.ational reportmg. Conference, a composition of the laws govermng Tl:ade Umons III the dl~erent countries should be made. An appeal to the natIOnal centres to send m the 34 35

materials concerned was again issued by us in May, 1903. These materials, According to circumstanc~s, a notification of the English delegation has not however, have arrived only from Denmark, Germany, :France, and Italy at been ne~essary. The. natIOnal centres of S\~eden, Switzerland, and Spain present, so that this 'work could not be finished and submitted to the national commUnIcated that, WIth regard to the large strikes and agitations to be brourrht centres. The instigation which may probably be expected on tl::e conference forward to a large extent at present in their own countries, they are not i~ a in Dublin, will no doubt, cause a prompt sen~ing in of the material, so that its position to send delegates to Dublin. composition and elaboration can take place WIthout delay. . The national centre for Spltin has resolve~l t? charge It German delegate Another question should be settled by the second International Oonference WIth the mandate for that country. Whether thIS lnnd of representation is to be by bringing about an arrangcment of the aid in case of strikes. Whilst allowed must be decided by the conference; it does not seem suitable that a formerly the organisations of a country and even the unorganised strikers could delegate should charge himself with the mandates of several countries, because apply for help to the organisations of all countries, only sllch requests will now, according to the nature of the conference a binding resolution can be formec1 in conformity with the resolutions of the conference. be taken into account that only by persons directly delegateu from the different countries. Besides the come from the different national centres. Excluded from this are those different national ceutres aTe at liberty to consent to the resolutions of the subsidies that the organisations of the same profession grant from one country conference by a direct c1eclaration. to the other. We expect that the third International Oonference will brina about a The international centre, however, is obliged to submit the request for further promotion of the international co-operation of the Trad~ Unions. help of a national centre to the national centres connected, without a title to Progress in this difficult Wlty, however, can only be made step by step. until examination. The latter have then to decide whether the request is to be the loose connection of to-day has developed into a strong organisation that 1ms gmnted. Practically the conferring of the functions of the international centre power enough to raise an insuperable barrier to the international united to the entire body of Trade Unions in a country has turnec1 out to be quite un­ unc1el'takel'shi p. Huitable. The general commissiori of the German Trade Unions, as the inter­ national centre, had to support the request for help from abroad, and to forward them to the national centres connected, and thus the commission was in a certain degree deprived of the right to decide on these requests as far as help from Germany was concerned. It could not decline the arrangement of a subsidy for Germany, when it, as international centre, requested help from other countries. For that rcason it has been proposed, on our part, not to charge a national centre wit.h thc internatio~al function~, but an international secretary. N ot­ wlthstandmg, we do not mtend oreatmg a new and separate institution but think it It matter of course that the international secretary be a member ;f his national centre. Only the international publiclttions should not be made in future in the nltme of the nlttional centre charged with the international functions, but in the name of the secretary designated by the Oonference. With the development of the organisations in the different oountries a mo;e solid !li1sis for th.e i17ter17ational sup~ort of strikes will also develop, for an mternatlOnal orgamsatIOn IS only pOSSIble when there are strong national organisations in the countries connected. . In the mear;time, however, the matter must .be carried on in conformity WIth ~h~ resolutIOn formed by the seconc1 InternatIOnal Oonference concernina the aId m case of greater strikes. " . On the basis of ~he l'esolution~ formed in Stuttgart! a request for help was a~dressed to ~he na~IOnal cen.tres III November, 1902, In favour of the Frenoh mmers, and lU Apnl, 1903, m favour of the general strike in Holland. In M~y, 1903, the request was renewed in favour of the victims of the latter strIke . . For the strike in Holland 10,000 mltrks have been raised in Germany' of whICh su~ 7,000 I~arks have been sent to Holland. The rest has b~en omRloyed 111 suppo~tmg .the numerous exclusions in Germany. What contri­ butlOn~ to the strIkes 1U France and Holland have been made by all other countrIes together, have not been reported. As for the rest, tho activity of the international centre was restricted to some references which were given on the request of several national centres. I~or the third International Oonference there are ltnnounced delegates from Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, and Austria.

mm