Report or tbt Conrcrcncc

ON LABOU~ REP~ESENTATION

H ELD IN TME

MEMORIAL HALL,

FARRINGDON STREET, ', E.O.,

At TWELVE O,CLOCK (Noon), and FOLLOWING DAY, in accordance with the Resolution of the Congress at , September, 1899.

TO BE HAD FROM The Labour Representation Committee,

3, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS, LONDON, W.C.

J. RAMSAY MACDONALD, Hon. Sec.

7 OFFICERS AND MEMBERS

OF THE Labour Representation Committee

ELECTED 28th FEBRUARY, 1900.

TRADE UNIONS,

CHAIRMAN.

FREDK. ROGERS Vellum Bookbinders.

VICE CHAIRMAN. THOMAS GREENALL Miners' Federation.

TREASURER. R. BELL ..\malg amated Railway Servants.

PETE CURRAN, Gas Workers. A. WILKIE, Shipwrights. A. GEE, Textile Workers. J. HODGE, Steel Smelters.

INDEPENDENT LABOUR PART~

J. . COUNCILLOR JAMES p ARKER.

SOC~L DEMOCRATIC FEDERATIO~ JAMES MACDONALD, L.T.C. HARRY QUELCH.

FABIAN SOCIETY, EDWARD R. PEASE.

SECRET.ARY.

J_ RA:MSA Y :!Y.1:AODON ALD 7 3, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.

8 Names and Addresses of Delegates attending the Special Conference on Labour Representation held at the Memorial Hall, London, on February 27th and 28th, 1900, the Names of the Societies and Number of Members which they represent, and the Number of Votes to which they are entitled. ======-==-=====- --- - ...... Delegates' 0 :n ~ Fees Paid NA)fES A)l'D ADDRESSES OF THE -~ to Parlia­ 0 0 mentary DELEGATES. z> Committee, £ s. d. Baken; and Confectioners, Amal- 1 4,800 5 0 10 0 J. Jenkins, 46, Percy Road, gamatcd Operative Shepherd's Bu h, London. Barg Builders 1 400 1 0 10 0 W . O. Steadman,l\I.P., 49, Rectory Square, Stepney, London. Beamers, Twister, , Drawers, etc ... 1 3,808 4 0 10 0 W. C. Robinson, Lane End Cottage, H eywood. ( P. Walls, Exchange Buildings. l\Ioss Bay, Workington. 2 Blastfunrncem n, 1 ational Fed0- 8,400 0 1 0 0 l( L. F enwick, 26, Borough Road, ration West l\Iidcllesboro'. Bookbinder,;' and Machine Ruler.-' 1 B,700 4 0 10 0 J. Kelly, 59, Grosvenor Street, Conscliclat cl C.-on-M., Manche. ter. ( C. Freak, L ..C., 34, Gladstone Street, . 2 :31 1 0 0 Boot and Shoe Operati Yes, 31,000 ·1 Councillor T. F. Richards, 181, Na,tional I_ Belgrave Gate, Leicester. ( W. J. Davis, 70, Lionel Street, Birmingham. Brns,,workcrs' .i: ational Amalga- 2 9,400 10 1 0 0 ·l. W. C. l\Ic8tocker, 54, Henley mated Street, Camp Hill, Birm'gham.

rl J. Wybrow, 6, Derwent Buildings, Glengall Road, London, S.E. F. Kennedy, 13, Butterwick Cot­ 3 1 10 0 1 Builders' Labourers, "Gnited 7,000 7 -l tagcs, Hammer mith, London. D.Haggerty, 6,Hungerford Street, 'ommci:cial Road, London, E , Carel Room Operatives, N.E.L. 1 1,000 l 0 10 0 A. E idsfortli, Commercial ham­ (Accrington Dist rict) bers, Accrington. Chain ~fakers and Strikers 1 985 1 0 10 0 T. Sitch, nity Villa, Sydney Road, Gradley Heath. Cigar l\Iakers' l\Iutual Association 1 2,000 2 0 10 0 B. Cooper, L.C.C., 60, Exmouth Street, Stepney, London. Clothiers' Amalgamated Opcratives 1 1,200 2 0 10 0 J. Young, 152, Camp Road, Leeds. H. Brill, Club Union Buildings, Clerkenwcll Road, London. Coal Porters' Union 2 5,000 5 1 0 0 { G. Shelly, Club Union B uildings, Clerkenwell Road, London. C. W. Bowerman, 7-9, St. Bride Street, London, E .C. H. W. Hobart, Garden Road. Ashford, Middlesex, London. F. Knee, 35, Tennyson Street, [ Queen's Square, Battersea, London. Compositors, L ondon Society G 11,415 12 3 0 0 · C. F. Davis, 16, St. Paul',' Cres- 1 cent, Camden Town, London. A. E. Holmes, 34, Woodville Road, Walthamstow, Essex. C. J. Beecher, 92, Wiesbade11 Road, Stoke Newington l L ondon, 9 4

en .... Q;, Qelegates' o.> I.... . I o oc Fees Paid N AllIES AND ADDRESSES OF THE NAJ\!E OF SOCIETY REPRESENTED. ~ to Parlia- 0 O i DELEGATES. z~ Z ~ c~~\~~e. 0 I I £ s. d. J. Sexton, 46, Hanover Street, Liverpool. M. Connolly, 46, Hanover Street, Liverpool. A. Smith, 46, Hanover Street, Dock Labourers' National Union .• 5 12,000 12 2 10 0 J F ~~f1fe~~: 46, Hanover Street, Liverpool. P. Christopher, 46, Hanover Street, Liverpool. l'B. Tillett, 425, Mile End Road, London, E. H. W. Kay, 425, Mile End Road, London, E. , T. B. Davies, 25, Egerton Street, Dock,Wharf, Riverside, etc., Union 5 10,000 10 1 2 10 0 Middlesbro'. R. Dommett, 102, Caermarthen Road, Swansea. - Whitehead, "The Green," , Shirehampton, near . Durham Colliery Mechanics' 1 2,400 3 0 10 0 J. W. Taylor. Association Electrical Trades Union ••...... 1 956 1 0 10 0 F.E. Sims,Club Union Buildings, Clerkenwell Road, London. J. Burns, M.P., 108, Lavender Hill, Battersea, London. Engineers' Amalgamated Society .. 3 85,000 G. N. Barnes, 89, Stamford Street 85 1 10 0 London, S.E. G. Wilson, 128, Earlsfield Road \ London, S.W. Engine and Crane Drivers •..••• 1 1,000 1 0 10 0 Councillor C. Skelton, 203 Barking Road, Canning Town London. Enginemen, etc., National Amal- 1 3,284 4 0 10 0 J. Baker, 24, Victoria Avenue ga.mated Norton Hill, Stockton-on-Tee~ Enginemen, National Amalgmna- 1 4,439 5 0 10 0 Councillor G. H. Copley, Gerarc ted Union Road, Rotherham. ...... 1 861 1 0 10 0 E. R. Pease, 3, Clement's Inn Strand, London. Fancy Leather Workers .. .. 1 343 1 0 10 0 P. C. Wilkins, 245, Eversleigh Road, Batter. oa, London. W. B. Cheeseman, 28, Florence Street, Islington, London. Fawcett Association ••••....•••• 2 3,000 3 1 0 0 { W. E. Clery, Kirk Lynton Sydeuha.m Hill, London. French Polishers' Amalgamated 1 2,816 3 0 10 0 C. F. Hawkins, 5, James Place Society Nunhead, London. W. Thorne, 144, Barking Road Canning Town, London. P. Curran, 144, Barking Road Canning Town, London. A. Hayday, 144, Barking Road Canning Town, London. J. Ward, 144, Barking Road Canning Town, London. J. Gray, 144, Barking Road qas Workels and General 13 48,038 49 6 10 0 ,. Canning Town, London. Labourers T. Camp, 144, Barking Road Canning Town, London. W. Blackwood, 17, Oswald Street City, . 1\I. Hutchins, 8, Cavendish Ter race, SilYer Street, Barnsley. W. H. Leach, 3, Neveu Street Hunslet. J. R. Clynes, 176, Union Street, L Oldham.

10 5

rn -cv0 ...... · 1 Delegates' o ~ FeesPa.id NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF THE NAME OF SOCIETY REPRESENTED. ~ to Pa.rlia• 0 . b DELEGATES, menta.ry z~ z> 1 A I Committee. £ B, d. ( S. Lakin, 180, Corporation Street, Birmingham. Gas Workers and General H. Lynas, 1, Sunderland Street, Labourers-con. J Sunderland. H. Brabham, "British Work­ l man," New Street, Bristol. Gas Workers, Brickmakers, and 1 4,000 4 0 10 0 R. Toller, 115, Great Francis General Labourers Street, Birmingham. Hosiery Federation 1 3,354 4 0 10 0 Councillor J. Holmes, Exchange Buildings, Leicester. House Decorators' and Painters' 1 4,548 5 0 10 0 H. Newell, 130, Withersley Rd., Amalgamated Battersea, London. [ J. Keir Hardie, Old Cumnock, Scotland. Councillor F. Brocklehurst, 107, l\Ia.uldeth Road, Withington, . Councillor P. Snowden, 28, Cal ton Street, Keighley. 7 13,000 13 3 10 0 Alderman F. W. Jowett, 2, Gran­ tham Place, Bradford. J. Burgess, 17, Oswald Street, Glasgow. Councillor J. Parker, Crossley l Street, Halifax. J. R. Macdonald, 3, Lincoln':-; l Inn Fields, London, E.C. Ironfounders, Friendly Society of 1 17,887 18 0 10 0 S. l\Iasterson, 27, Pullens Build­ ings, Penton Place, N ewington, London. Iron Ore l\Iiners (Cumberland) •• 1 3,000 3 0 10 0 J. Flynn, C.C., 22, High Street, Olea.tor Moor. Iron and Steel Workers' Asso­ 1 6,500 7 0 10 0 . J. Cox, J.P., 6, Mount Pleasant ciation Darlington. H. W. Williams, 29, Rutland Street, Swansea. Labourers' Union, National Amal­ 2 3,695 1 0 0 f gamated * C. l\f. Stenner, 11, Chester Place Cardiff. Labour Amalgamated (Lancashire 1 1,650 2 0 10 0 J. Chatterton, 14, Lonsdale Road a!'.ld Adjoining Counties) Levenshuhne, l\Ianchester. Lithographic Printers, Amal­ 1 3,724 4 0 10 0 G. D. Kelley, J.P., 63i Upper gamated Brook Street l\Ianchester. Matchmakers' Union 1 400 1 0 10 0 W. Mewett, 112, Teviot Street St. Leona.rd's Road, Poplar London. :\Ietal, Wire, and Tube l\Iakers' 1 1,650 2 0 10 0 J. Cuthbertson, 1, Tenby Street Amalga.m:i,ted Birmingham. ( T. Aspinwall, J.P., 1, Liverpoo Road, Skelmersdale, Lanca l\Iiners' Federation (Lanes-shire 2 29,000 29 1 0 0 -I shire. and Cheshire) T. Greenan, 23, Frazer Street l Pendlebury, l\fanchester. Miners and QuMrymen (Cleveland) 1 6,670 7 0 10 0 W. Walker, 7, Wharton Street, North Skelton, Cleveland.

:Municipal Employes' Association 1 750 1 0 10 0 A. Taylor, 24, Clifton Road Canning Town, London. l\Iusicians, Amalgamated .. 1 3,600 4 0 10 0 J. B. Williams, 1, Stockton Street, Moss Side, Manchester J. Ward, 12, Great Emsleigh Road, Wandsworth, London. Navvies, Bricklayers' Labourers, 2 3,000 3 1 0 0 etc. { H. C. Rye, 47, Raynha.mAvenue Raynham Road, Edmonton. , J. Hutchinson, 19, Northbrook Road, Croydon. Plasterers, National Association of 2 11,436 12 1 0 0 Operative { !II. Jones, 54, Bushey Hill Road Peckham, London.

II ui .... Q.) Delegates' Fees Paid NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF THE NAME OF Socn.. TY REPRESENTED. : } to Parlia­ z~ ml:lntary DELEGATES. Q Committee. £ s. d. Postal Telegraph Clerks' Associa­ 1 5,500 6 0 10 0 W. J. Ash, Ellen Yilla, Rosebery tion Avenue, 1\Ianor Park, London. Printers' and Stationers' \Vare­ 1 573 1 0 10 0 A. Evans, 53, Fetter Lane, bousemen and Cutters London, EC. G. J. Wardle, 29, Goring Road Bowes Park, London. rE. Garrity, 72, Acton Street Gray's Ion Road, London. 4 2 0 0 Railway Servants, Amalgamated 54,000 54 J. W. Benson, 30, Brook Street Society Ilkley, York.·. J. Lenthall, 4, Granville Road iL Bowes Park, London. Raihray \Yorkers, General 1 3,000 3 0 10 0 T. Grim haw, 0, Coningham Rd. Shepherd's Bush, London. rA. Wilkie, 3, St. icholas Buildings, Newcastle-on-Tyne. R. Johns, 45, Bell Terrace, ~T cw j castle-on-Tyne. Shipwrights, Associated •• 4 15,583 16 2 0 0 Councillor J. Jenkins, J .P., The Laurels, Grange Gardens Cardiff. Councillor W. G. ~Iillington,J.P. 16, Argyle Street, Hull. . 'miths and Ha.mmern1en, l"11itecl 1 1,1-!1 0 10 0 lJ. Shea, 31, Abinger Road, J>ept 'ocicty . . . . • • . . ford, London, l\I. Judg , 14, Chesterton Terrace r Plaistow, London. I J. Macdonald, Q., Whitefriar& !) Street, London, E.C. Soci.al Democratic Federation 4 !),000 2 0 0 H. Quelch, 37A, Clerkenwcl Green, London, E.U. H. R. Taylor, 3!), Valentine Road 1South Hackney, London. J. Billington, J.P., Torth Yie,, ( '.terrace, Ashton-on- Ribble Spinners' Operative Amalgamated 2 lR,151 19 1 0 0 ' Preston. Association A. H. Gill, J P., 77, St. George's Road, Bolton. ( E. l\Iellor, J.P., 5, Leveson Street Oldham. 8pinners' Operatirn (Oldham) 2 6,136 7 1 0 0 -, J. Smith, 24, Under Lane, Hollin Association l wood, near Oldham. SLeel Smelters' (British) Amalga­ 1 9,'i76 10 0 10 0 J. Hodge, 115, Eli~abeth Street mated Cheetham, Ianchester. Steel and Iron Workers' Amalga­ 1 7,000 'j 0 10 0 J. Cronin, 53, Waterloo Street mated Glasgow. Ste,·edores' Labour Protection 1 3,420 4 0 10 0 J. Anderson, 113, Abbott Road League Poplar, London. 1'ailors' Amalgamated(\\". London 1 ,. 1,000 1 0 10 0 R. Macfetrick, 16, Hedclo1 District) Street, Regent Street, London Tlte \Yorkers' Union 1 4,172 5 0 10 0 T. 'bambers, Bridge House 181, Queen Victoria St., London Tin and Iron Plate \Yorkers 1 360 1 0 10 0 J. C. Gordon, 14, Blucher Road (g, London) Camberwell, London. Councillor J. Taylor, J.P. 63, Yicar Street, Dudley. Trades Federation ()IicUand 2 16,000 16 1 0 0 f 'l Councillor W. 1\Iillerehip, J.P. Co~mtie ·) 116, Pargeter Street, Walsall. R. Hackett, Campfield Chambers 312, Deansgate, l\Ianchester. A. W. Jones, Campfield Cham Typographical As, ociation 3 15,000 15 1 10 0 J bers, 312, Deamgate, l\Ian ' cbester. T. Shaw, 62, Fulton Road, l Sheffield,

12 7

00 ai .... (1) ...... i.., Delegates' 0 (D ..c o ~ Fees Pa.id NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF THE NAME OF SOCIETY REPRESENTED. ~ ii b to Parlie.­ 0 (1) ci 0 s Z p. menta.ry DELEGATES, z~ z

:- 568,177 1591 64 10 0

13 Labour Representation Conference.

THE Conference on Labour Representa­ who should oove their own Whips and tion convened by the Parliamentary agree upon their policy, which must Committee of the , embrace a readiness to co-operate with any party which, for the time being, acting upon instructions given by the may be engaged in promoting legislation last Trades Union Congress at Plymouth, in the direct interest of labour, and be was opened in the Memorial Hall, equally ready to associate themselves London, on Tuesday, February 27th. with any party in opposing measures Invitations to send delegates were having an opposite tendency. issued to the Trade Unions and 3.-CONSTITUTION OF COMMITTEE. Co-operative Societies of the United The Executive Committee shall con­ Kingdom, the Independent Labour sist of twelve representatives from Party, the Social Democratic Federa­ Trade Unions, ten from the Co-opera­ tion, and the Fabian Society. The tive Societies, providing they are repre­ invitations were accepted by all the sented as a body at the Conference, two various organisations, with the exception from the Fabian Society, two from the of the Co-operative Union, who, in the Independent Labour Party, and two absence of any mandate from their last from the Social Democratic Federation. annual conference, were unable to pledge Such members shall be elected by their their organisations. Preliminary meet­ respective organisations. ings were held by selected representa­ 4.-DUTY OF COMMITTEE AT ELECTIO~S. tives of the various organisations. Messrs. Woods, Steadman, Thorne, In the case of elections, the E xecutive Bowerman, and Bell represented the Committee appointed for this purpose Parliamentary Committee; Messrs. should collect information respecting Hardie and J. Ramsay Macdonald, the candidates pledged to support the policy Independent Labour Party; Messrs. of the Labour Group, and recommend Taylor and Quelch, the Social Demo­ the United Labour Party to support ,.cratic Federation; and Messrs. Pease them. .and Shaw, the Fabian Society. 5.-DUTY OF COl\Il\IITTEE . This Committee agreed upon the This Committee should keep in touch agenda, which, after alterations by the with Trade Unions and other organisa­ Parliamentary Committee, was issued tions, local and national, which are ran­ as follows :- ning Labour candidates. AGENDA. 6..-FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.

1.-0BJECT OF CONFERENCE. The Committee shall administer the funds which may be received on behalf A resolution in favour of working-class of the organisation, and each body shall opinion being represented in the House be required to pay lOs. per annum for of Commons by men sympathetic with every 1,000 members, or fraction the aims and demands of the Labour thereof; also, that it shall be respon­ movement. sible for the expenses of its own 2.-LABOUR MEMBERS IN THE HOUSE OF candidates. COMl\-IONS. 7 .-REPORTING TO CONGRESS, ETC. A resolution in favour 9f establishing It should also report annua.lJy to the a distinct Labour Group in Parliament, Trades Union Congress and the annual 9 meetings of the national societies repre­ card shall be issued to any society not sented on the Committee, and take any having complied with the foregoing steps deemed adyisable to elicit opinion conditions. from the members of the organisations VOTING. to which the Committee is ultimately responsible. ( 1) The method of voting shall be by card, to be issued to the delega.teJ of trade societies according to their mem­ 8 .-STANDING ORDERS GOVERNING THE bership, and paid for (as per Standing CONFERENCE. Order) on the principle of one card for every 1,000 members or fractional part BASIS OF REPRESENTATION. thereof represented. (2) Such cards to Societies, by whatever na.me they may be issued to delegates by the Secretary be known, shall be entitled to one dele­ to the Parliamentary Committee before gate for every 2,000 members or fraction the meeting of the Conference. thereof; and they must pay ten shillings for each delegate attending the Con­ NUMBERS REPRESENTED. ference, and their names a.nd There were altogether 129 delegates addresses seven days prior to the date present, representing 568,177 organised fixed for the meeting. No credential workers.

REPORT.

OPENING PROCEEDINGS. they communicated with the Co­ operative Union, the Independent ML·. J. T. Chandler (Manchester), La.hour Party, the Social Democratic who, in his capacity as chairman of the Federation, and the Fabian Society. Parliamentary Committee, presided at The Co-operators were unable to see the opening of the proceedings, said their way to take part in that meeting, the Parliamentary Committee had con­ owing, as he understood it, to their vened the Conference in accordance moving in the direction of Parliamentary with instructions given them by a representation in their own particular resolution passed at Plymouth. The wa.y; but the other three organisations object of that resolution was very clear. sent representatives to meet the It was hoped by its movers that this Parliamentary Committee, and they Conference might be able to devise some discussed the situation and devised scheme whereby they could unite the practically the outlines of the scheme various forees of the Labour organise.­ upon which in their wisdom they thought, tions throughout the country in a. the Conference ought to proceed. It determination to focus their efforts upon was not expected that the outline of a, the return of a much larger number of scheme which they had before them members of Parliament in sympathy would in any way bind the Conference. with the Labour cause and prepared This was submitLed to a full meeting of consistently and persistently to advo­ the Parliamentary Committee, and cer­ cate it in that assembly. In giving tain a.mendm9nts and alterations were effect to the resolution the Committee made bsfore the scheme was issued in felt it would be a great advantage to its present form. He could only express the Conference if before the meeting a hope that the outcome of tbeirdelibera­ they were able to ascertain the views tions would be that they would evolve a of several of the Labour organisations scheme which would command the sup­ which would be invited to take part port of the TradeUnionists and of the non­ in the proceedings. Consequently unionists of the country, and that as a. 10

result they would have a much li:trger country, tbe men who were endeavour­ number of friends in the House of ing to raise mankind not by the shed­ Commons in the future than they un­ ding of human blood, but by the peace­ fortunately had at the present l]~oment. ful conquest of the ballot-box, were the (Cheers.) only class who were insufficiently represented in the House of Commons. ELECTIO:N OF CHAIRMA:N. He hoped the result of the Conference Alderrnau (Gas would be a prnctical one. For the workers) moved that Mr. W. C. Stead­ first time in the history of the Labour man, M.P., be elected chairman of the movement a.11 sections in that move­ Conference. He explained that Mr. ment were drawn together in that Con­ Chandler was not a delegate to the ference, with the exception of the Co­ Conference. operators, and the reason of their absence was that at their last Con­ Mr. VOGEL (Waiters) formally ference no mandate was given them to seconded the proposition, which was carried unanimously. send delegates. Whether they formed a Labour Party or allied themselves to Mr. STEA.Dl\IAN, M.P., having taken other political parties in the House of the chair, said he recognised the position Commons, let them be represented by to be one of an important and honourable men of character, men who had borne character. He was one of those Trade the heat and burden of the day, and he Unionists who believed, until the last hoped w hatcver opinions delegates ten years, that the workers of this might hold jn dealing with the resolu­ country could attain their object in tions and amendments, they would cleal securing better conditions by voluntary with them in an nonest and straight­ efforts through their trade organisations. forward manner. (Cheers.) But the dispute which occurred in his On the proposition of Mr. JEN.KLNS own trade ten years ago ior a reducti-on (Cardiff), Mr. W. J. Davis (Birming­ of the hours of labour had convinced ham) was elected vice-chairman of the him that the leaders of the advanced Conference. movement who believed in political action were right ancl he was wrong. ELECTIO~ OF TELT,EHS. (Cheers.) Therefore he was now as The following we~e elected tellers : ready as any man to take political Messrs. Williams (~Iusicians), 45 votes; action to redress the grievances under Clynes (Gasworkers), 44. which the workers suffered. He gave way to no man in his desire to see ELECTION' OF S'l'A::-mI~G ORDERS COM· Labour better represented in the House )llTTEE. of Commons than it was to-day. They The following were elected to be the had an illustration of the need that very Standing Orders Committee : Messrs. day. The miners had secured a good Curran (Gasworkers), 62; J. R. Mac­ position for the Eight Hom·s' Mines B1ll, donald (I.L.P.), ,j5; Greenall (Miners' which came on on Wednesday in the Federation), 49; Brill (Coalporters), H0use of Commons, and, while certain 41; Sexton (Dockers), 31. members were going to move and second that Bill, q, lll.rge mine owner sitting in "WORKING CLASS" REPRESENTATIVES. ::: that House was down on the paper to Mr. R. W. Jo:NE.-3 (Upholsterers) move the rejection of that Bill. He moved:- had been a member of the House of That this Conference is in favour of the Commons but a short time, but he working classes being represented i1'J. the had been there sufficiently long to House of Commons uy members of the know that every interest was represen­ working classes as being the most likely to ted and protected in that House be sympathetic with the aims and demands (especially when privilege and monopoly of the . were attacked) but the interest of labour. He thought those men who had been The great industrial army of t.he through the mill as worken; were those

' THF: R E SOLUTIONS AND A!IE:-.OnE:-.Ts THAT \\'ERE r .~nnn:o ARF: PRINTED IN !TALH.: S.

16 11 most likely to give adequate expression Mr. KEIR HARDIE (Independent t o the aspirations and demands of those Labour Party) asked whether, under of whom they once formed an active the terms of the amendment, the Co­ part. However sympathetic a man operators would be ruled out ? He might be with their aims, if he had not would not like that to happen as a actually been a worker he could not result of any decision of the Conference. understand the needs and a9pirations of The VrcE-CH ..\.IRM .rn suggested that the working classes. Mr. Hardie's difficulty would be met Mr. PAUL VoGEL (Waiters) seconded. by the omission of the last three words Jir. G. BARNES (Engineers) moved of the amendment, and the substitution an amendment:- of the following, " represented by the constit1.ttion which this Conference is RESOLUTION 1. abont to frame." This was accepted. 'l'hat this Conference is in fa vo ur of working-class opinion being represented in The amendment was then carried by the llouse of Co mmons by men sympathetic 102 to 3 votes. with the aims and demands of the Labour morements, and whose cancliclatures are A LABOUR PARTY IN PARLIAMENT promoted by one or other of the organised morements represented at this Conference. Mr. JA:\IES MACDONALD (Social Demo­ H e thought the Conference was more cratic Federation) moved:- -qualified to say who those candidates 'rhat the representatives of the working­ should be than any committee, however class movement in the House of Commons shall form there a distinct party, with a representative it might be. party organisation separate from the ::\fr. JOHN BuRNs, M.P. (Engineers) capitali st parties based up·m a recognition seconded the amendment because he of the class war, and having for its ulti­ mate object the socialisation of the means wished to say a few words against the of production, di stribution, and exchange. 11arrow ancl exclusiv~ proposal before The party shall formulate its own policy the Conference. If the Conference for promoting practical legislative measures proclaimed in favour of working-class in the interests of labour, and shall be pre­ pared to co-operate with any pa:ty t~at candidates only, it would be bad enough, will support such measures, or will assist but to give a definition of those work­ in opposing measures of an opposite ing-class candidates would be infinitely character. worse. He was getting tired of working­ He said that a previous speaker had told -class boots, working-class trains, work­ the Conference that he was sick and ing-class houses, and working-class tired of cheap workmen's this, that, and margarine. He believed the time had the other. They of the Social Demo­ arrived in the history of the Labour cratic Federation were of the same and social movement when they should opinion, but we should also be careful uot be prisoners to class prejudice, but not to have too cheap a Labour Party in should consider parties and policies the House of Commons. (Laughter.) apart from all class organisations. They wanted to know where they were, Mr. 'MILLINGTON (Shipwrights) ex­ and not leave men free to abandon their pressed the fear that the adoption of cause at a particular moment of their the amendment would lead the Labour history. They wished those who were Party into the danger of a rush of rival selected as Labour candidates to organisations to secure candidatures, recognise the class war. They wanted and the one who got first into the con­ to form a. Labour Party distinct and stituency would claim to have the can­ independent from all other political didature. parties. Mr. BARNES pointed out that later :Mr. R. MACFETRICK (London Tailors) resolutions would regulate the action of seconded the resolution. the variou~ organisations. Mr. A. WILKIE (Shipwrights) moved, Mr. T. ASPINWALL (Miners) thought as an amendment :- -the Conference ougM first to lay down Whereas, it is deemed desirable that a the programme of the party before Labour Group be formed in Parliament, .deciding as to candidatures. therefore be it meantime resolved that a

AC B 12

Labour platform be drawn up, composed ment having become the substantive of, say, four or five planks, embracing quefltions upon which the vast majority of proposition, the workers in the country are in agree­ Mr. KEIR HARDIE (Independent ment, all Labour representatives standing Labour Party) moved, as a further as Parliamentary candidates to pledge themselves to the same and agree to act amendment:- together in the promotion and advance­ RESOLUTION 2. ment of these questions, and likewise co­ Tha_t ~his Con/e~ence is in favou1· of operate with any party which, for the time estab~ishing a distinct La'bour Group in being, may be engaged in promoting legis­ Parliament, who shall have their own lation in the direct interest of labour or Whips, and agree upon their policy, which associate themselvos with any party in must embrace a readiness to co-operate with opposing measures which would be detri­ any party which for the time being may be mental to labour, the said representatives engaged in promoting legistation in the to be left entirely free on all purely political direct interest of la'bour, and be equally questions. ready to associate themsel1.:es with an11 He urged tht:Lt, as practical men, they party in opposing measitres ha'l.'ing a;i opposite tendency; and further, mtmbers of could not possibly succeed in accom­ the Labour Group shall not oppose an11 plishing more than was aimed at in the candidate whose candidature is being pro­ amendment. It would be a mistake to moted in terms of Resolution 1. a.t~empt to bind the Labour members The amendment left no doubt as to on other than purely labour questions. its meaning. It aimed at the formation Mr. J ENKINS (Shipwrights) trusted in the House of Commons of a Labour that the Conference would adopt the Party having its own policy, its own amendment as a practical step towards whips, and acting in all that concerned obtaining a strong Labour Party in the of the workers in a manner Parliament. free and unhampered by entanglements with other parties. (Cheers.) Each of Mr. SEXTON (Dockers) said the reso­ the affiliated organisations would be left lution was very magnificent, very free to select its own candidates with­ heroic, but it was not war. The reso­ out let or hindrance, the one condition lution seemed to be reviving a spirit being that, when returned to Parlia­ which had been responsible for more ment, the candidate should agree to recrimination and bad feeling in the form one of the Labour Group there, Labour movement than anything else. and act in harmony with its decisions. He was with the spirit of the resolu­ In this way they would avoid the tion, and would vote for it in any other scandal which in the pq,st had pained place, but he could not understand why earnest men on both sides of seeing he should be called upon to vote for it Trade Unionists opposing Socialists, there. and vice versa. (Cheers.) Mr. QUELCH (Social Democratic Federation) protested against the MR. WARDLE (Rtt.ilway Servants) humbug of men professing to be in seconded the amendment, which was favour of a principle which at the same accepted by Mr. Wilkie, who withdrew time they declared they intended to his motion. vote against. Such action suggested Mr. J. BuRNS: I want to know where that some among them wished to be we are now. ( A voice : " The selected as official Progresssive candi­ Memorial Hall.") I know that perfectly dates. well, but I want to know where we ara Mr. ROGERS (Vellum Bookbinders) in this debate. I did not think the said the resolution, if carried, would withdrawal of Mr. Wilkie's amendment place the Labour movement in the necessarily meant that it was going to position of the boy who cried for the terminate discussion. (Hear, hear.) moon. Nothing could be more unfor­ The CHAIRMAN said that Mr. Keir tunate for the Conference than to label Hardie's amendment had become the across its front the words "class war." substantive proposition, but, as there The question was then submitted to was nothing else before the Conference, the meeting, and the amendment it appeared to be a waste of time to adopted by 59 votes to 35. The amend- discuss it.

18 13

Mr. ASPINWALL (Miners) thought it The Conference then adjourned until would be a mistake to confine the action 10 the following morning. of the Labour members to labour questions. He wished to know where they would find a constituency in the SECOND DAY. kingdom which would return a man to the House of Commons whose action The Conference resumed its sittings was to be confined to a few labour at 10 a.m. :Mr. W. C. Steadman, M.P., questions. presided, and there was a full attend­ ance of delegates. Mr. PETE CURRAN (Gasworkers) said it was time to have a separate Labour THE COMMITTEE. Party in Parliament, and for the Mr. BEN COOPER (Cigar Makers) pro­ organisations to have control of the posed:- members of that party. They found That the Executive Committee shall after adopting resolutions at the Trade consist of twelve representatives from 'l'ra.de .unions, two from the Fabian Union Congress there were so-called Society, .two from the Inaependent Labour Labour members ready to work with Party, and two from the Social Democratic the capitalists against them in Parlia­ Federation. Such members shall be ment. elected by their respective organisations. Mr. JoHN BURNS, M.P., said he was He said that, as the overwhelming num­ going to support Mr. Hardie's amend­ ber of persons represented at the Con­ ment, qualified by what be was going gress were the Trade U oionists, who to say. There was a distinct Labour wLuld have to find the bulk of the Group in Parliament, definitely orga­ money, a proportionately large share of nised for the past four or five years, of the members of the Committee ought which Mr. Woods and himself were to be Trade Unionists. Under these Whips. They had not called themselves circumstances he did not think the independent, they had not worn Trilby other bodies could complain of having hats and red ties, but they had done the one-third of the representation on the work. He would, however, warn the Committee. Conference against too much dictation. Mr. VOGEL (Waiters) seconded tlie The Labour Party were not united on proposition. He said he was in hearty a.11 questions. Look at the war. They agreement with the proposition, but he were not united about that, but he was would have liked to see the Co-operators glad to say that eleven out of the represented on the Committee. twelve htbour members were dead Mr. T. B. DAVIES (Dockers) said he against that. (Loud cheers.) would have preferred to have seen the Mr. CLERY: A point of order. I resolution moved in its original form, with protest against Mr. Burns introducing representation given to the Co-operative this kind of thing hert,. (Cheers.) societies of the country. Mr. BuRNS, resuming, said there was Mr. BEN CooPER: Is it not correct the Miners' Eight Hours Bill, and on that the Executive Board of the Co­ the following day three Labour mem­ operators declined to take part in the bers would vote against it and two for movement? it, and the other Labour members Mr. T. B. DAVIES said that, while it would support the two. (Cheers.) But might be perfectly true that the Co­ he did not know that those three men operators had declined to· attend the could be excluded from the counsels of present Conference, they might follow labour. (Cheers.) They were men of the lead of other organisations and capacity and ability aud character. change their minds in the future. The (Cheers.) way ought to be ma.de easy for the Co­ Mr. TILLETT (Dockers) and Mr. operators to be represented on the Com­ DAVIS (Gasworkers) having spoken, mittee. Mr. Keir Hardie's amendment was put Mr. J. BURGESS (Independent Labour and carried unanimously. Party) moved, as an amendment, to

19 14 delete all words after" representatives" all parts of Great Britain, would cost and add the following :- not less than £30. Then, the smaller the Committee the more efficient would RESOLUTION 3. be its work. Se-i:en of whorn shall rep1·esent the Trade Un·ions, one the Fabian Society, two the Mr. A. WILKIE (Shipwrights) said Ind,ependent Labour Party, two the Social that if 1\h. Hardie's argument was to Democratic Federation. Such members be carried to its logical conclusion a shall be elected by their respectire organi­ Committee of one was the best-(hear, sations. hear). The Socialists were having an He said it was a matter of efficiency undue proportion on the Committee, and economy that the Committee should according to the resolution, and Mr. be smaller than the 18 proposed. If the Burgess proposed to accentuate the work of the Trades Union Congress over-representation. They were at the could be managed by a committee of starting of a new movement, and he twelve members, it followed that this urged them to move carefully if they Committee could manage with a similar wished to secure the support of the number of members. He admitted Trade Unionists. that the Trade Unions ought to have a majority on the Committee, but if they Mr. QuELCH (Social Democratic had seven out of twelve it would be Federation) agreed that the representa­ as large a majority as was allowed on tion proposed to be given to the Socialist any Committee of the House of organisations was more than they were Commons. entitled to by their numerical represen­ tation at the conference. If any oJtera­ [Mr. CuRRAN (Gas Workers), chairman tion were necessary the Fabians should of the Standing Orders Committee, an­ be excluded altogether. nounced that this Committee recom­ Mr. HoL:-.rns (Hosier) suggested that mended that no more amendments there should be eight Trade Unionists, should be received, but that after this Mr. BURGESS was willing to accept, but Agenda was di sposed of, if any impor­ the CHAIRl\IAK ruled that the printed tant matter ca1ne up the Conference figures had to be adhered to. might discuss it if so desired. The question ·was then submitted to Mr. KEIR HARDIE (Independent the Conference, and the amendment Labour Party) moved that the report adopted by 44 votes to 38. A vote by card be referred back. was demanded, with the result that the Mr. BARKER (Enginemen) seconded. adoption of the amendment was re­ affirmed by 331,000 to 161,000. Mr. HoDGE (Steel Smelters) moved, as an amendment, that the report be Some difficulty arose as to the method received, with exception of the last re­ of appointing the Trade Union repre­ commendation. sentatives on the Committee. :Mr. DAVIS (Dockers) seconded. Mr. A. WILKIE (Shipwrights) sug­ gested tlrn,t a Pro-dsional Committee There voted for l\ir. Hodge's amend­ should be appointed to act until the ment, 46; against, 14.] various Trade Unions who intended to join the organisation had appointed Discussion then resumed. their representatives. Mr. KEIR HARDIE (Independent Labour Party), who seconded the Mr. W. J. DAYIS (Brassworkers) pro­ amendment, said there was no question posed that the Parliamentary Committee of principle involved in the differences of the Trades Union Congress be the between the resolution and the amend­ Provisional Committee until the perma• ment-it was simply a question of cost. nent committee was formed, as was the case with the Trades' Federation last If they appointed a Committee of 18 members, each meeting of the Com­ year. mittee, composed of men gathered from The CHALRi\JAX ruled this out of order.

20 15

i\fr. G. BAR ·Es (Engineers) moved:­ right to. If they would only give to RESOLUTION 3-continued. their constituents a definite promise, That a Committee shall be ap~Jointed b!J and show them work done, he was this Conference, but in the erent of any confident they would have all the member of the Cornrnittee belonging to a money that was necessary, and for them society fowid aftenvards to be not affiliated, such mernber shall retire, and his place to accept the offer of the Parliamentary be filled by a mernber whose suciety is Committee was only to delay, to confuse, affiliated. and to damn the thing itself. Mr. HARGREAYES (Weavers) seconded Mr. LAI-.IN (Gasworkers) moved, as the motion. an amendment :- The CHAIRMAN said he was simply That the seven representatives of the holding a watching brief for his society, Trades Union movement shall be selected and he was not going to give any vote by and from the Parliamentary Committee. which would entail expense on his union. Mr. H .rnGREAYES (Weavers) seconded He would report to the members of the the amendment. union, and it would be for them to Mr. A. WILKIE (Shipwrights) said the decide as to their action. He felt, how­ work of the Committee would be mere ever, that unless a Provisional Com­ detail \YOrk to carry out the decisions of mittee was formed the whole thing the Conference. The Parliamentary would be valueless, and no result foll°'" Committee had the machinery, and the their labours. majority of them were willing to carry Mr. CHA ·nLEH, speaking on behalf of out the work. the Parliamentary Committee, which On the question being submitted, the had retired and consulted, said that the amendment was rejected by 46 votes to Parliamentary Committee could foresee 29. A vote by card was demanded (the some difficultv as to the selection of CH IRl\IAN asking that as the matter representativeus on the Committee from only affected Trade Unionists no other the Trade Unions, owing to the fact that section in the Conference should vote), many delegates were uncertain whether and resulted in 165,000 votes being their Trade Unions would affiliate with given for the amendment and 344,000 the movement. The Parliamentary votes against. Committee were perfectly willing to Mr. Barnes's resolution was there­ accept the representation of the Trade upon carried unanimously. Unions of the country, jointly with the other three organisations, until the next ELECTION OF COl\Il\IITTEE. Conference. The Conference then divided into 1\Ir. F. BROCKLEHURST (Independent sections, and each section elected its Labour Party) said the statement from members on the Committee/' For the the Parliamentary Committee suggested Trade Union representation there were a way out of the difficulty by the appoint­ 22 nominations, and the voting was by ment of the Parliamentary Committee card. The result was as follows:- to represent the Trade Union element on ELECTED. the Committee. T. Greenan (1\Iiners) . . . . • • • • • • 355 Mr. (Dockers) said that, R. Bell (Railway Servants) . • • • 315 P.

* The Social Democratic Federation delegates were not reported to the Conference, but they were afterwards nominated. They are James Macdonald and H. Quelch.

21 16

SECRETARYSHIP. It seemed to him that after the dif­ Mr. J. WARD (Navvies) asked if Mr. ferent organisations had selected their Woods would act. candidates and agreed to run them for The CHAIRMAN replied that, as the the various constituencies, they should Conference had taken the matter out of come before the Committee for their the hands of the Parliamentary Com­ consideration, and he took it that mittee, he could not answer in Mr. if their programme was in accord Woods' absence. with the wishes and 11,spirations of the Mr. BROCKLEHURST (Independent Labour Party, those candidates would Labour Party) suggested two secretaries, be recommended to the country as but this met with no favour. official candidates. There might be men come forward in some parts of the Mr. J. HODGE (Steel Smelters) then country and label themselves as Labour moved the election of Mr. F. Brockle­ candidates that he would not go a.cross hurst, of Manchester, as secretary pro the street to support. He was con­ tem. to the Committee. vinced that if there was agreement in Mr. J. B. WILLI.UIS (Musicians) the Labour Party they would be able to seconded the nomination. sweep t,he constituencies from one end Mr. BROCKLEHURST declined, and of the country to the other. (Cheers.) nominated Mr. J. Ramsay Macdonald He recognised they might have some (London), of the Independent Labour difficulty with the official Liberal party, Party. but he did not consider the official Mr. WARDLE (Railway Servants) Liberal party had any more right to seconded. plank a man down in a constituency than the Labour Party. Mr. Macdonald was elected unani­ mously. Mr. W. J. DAVIS (Brassworkers) seconded the amendment. ELIGIBILITY FOR COMMITTEE. Mr. KEIR HARDIE said there was On the proposition of Mr. WILKIE this difference between the amendment (Newcastle-on-Tyne), it was unani­ and the resolution. The resolution mously resolved to add to l\fr. Barnes's bound them to support any adventurer resolution :- or scallywag, no matter how unprin­ RESOLUTION 3--continued. cipled he might be, who came before But no member be eligible to ac.t on them with a promise to support their said Committee unless his organisation programme. Reference had been made subscr·ibes to the funds of the Committee in If accordance with clause 6. to working with the Liberals. he (the speaker) saw anything which POLITICAL DUTY OF COMMITTEE. Labour had to gain by that, nothing Mr. BEN TILLETT (Dockers) Corma.lly would hinder him from agreeing to it. moved:- But every day tended more and more That, in the case of elections, the to confirm his belief in the folly of any Executive Committee appointed for this such a course. It was supposed in some purpose shall collect information respecting candidates pledged to support the policy of quarters that the a.mendment would the L"abour Group and recommend the restrain Labour men from voting in any United Labour Party to support them. constituency in which there was not an Mr. DAVIES (Dockers) formally official Labour candidate. It would seconded the resolution. do nothing cf the kind. They would be Mr. WILL THORNE (Gasworkers} free to act as they thought best. A moved, as an amendment :- Labour candidate endorsed by the Committee should, however, have the RESOLUTION 4. support of all sections at this Con­ That the Committee appointed by this ference. Conference, shall prepare a, list of candi­ dates run in accordance wi.th Reaolution 1, The amendment was carried, with shall publish this list as the official candi­ two voting against it. dates of the United Lab

22 17 RESOLUTION 5. the money it was another matter. He That the Committee shall keep in touch admitted there was no difficulty with Trade Unions and other organisations, local and national, which are running in getting the money from Socialists, Lab01tr candidates. because they had a definite object before Mr. W. J. DAVIS (Brass Workers) them, and knew what they were paying seconded the resolution. it for, but when they came to Trade Unionists it was another matter. AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE. Mr. J. B. WILLIAMS: If they are Mr. VoGEL (Waiters) moved, and not prepared to pay for it they don't it was unanimously adopted, that there want-it and don't deserve it. be added to the Mr. Hodge's resolu­ The amendment having been rejected, tion:- the original resolution was carried. And shall conrene n Labour Representa­ tion Conference in the month of February REPORTING TO CONGRESS, ETC. each year. Mr. WARD (Navvies) moved:- :,he amended resolution was then RESOLUTION 7. carried unanimously. That it shall also report annually to the FINANCES AND CONTRIBUTIONS. Trade Union Congress and the annnal meeting of the National Societies represented Mr. J. HODGE (Steel Smelters) on the Committee, and take any steps deemed moved:- adi·isable to elicit opinions froni the mem­ be1·s of the organisations to which the Com­ RESOLUTION 6. mittee is ultimately responsible. That the Committee shall administer the fu,nds which may be recei'red on behalf of Mr. G. BARNES (EnginP.ers) said if the organisation, and each body shall be they were going to undertake the work required to pay 10s. per annum for every in a practical and serious manner, he 1,000 membe1·s or fraction thereof; also did not think they ought to report that each organisation shall be responsible for the expenses of its own candidates. to the Trade Congress or any other body. They would have their own Mr. A. EVANS (Printers' Warehouse­ annual meeting to report to. men) moved, as an amendment :- That the contribution be at the rate of Mr. W. J. DAVIS (BrasS'i'\'Orkers) also ld. per member per annum of all organi­ considered that with separate machinery sations affiliated, nnd that all expenses of and organisation there was no necessity candidates be pa.id out of the funds. to report to the Trade Congress. He contended that it was absurd to ask Mr. J. WARD (Navvies) said that if for labour representation without pro­ the movement was entireJy separated viding the funds to obtain it. from the Trade Congress, his own The amendment having been almost society would object to send delegates, unanimously negatived, and he believed that would be found to Mr. P. WALLS (Blastfurnacemen) be the attitude of the Trade Unions moved a further amendment :- generally. Their work was absolutely That each body shall be required to pay useless apart from the Trade Union 2s.' 6d. per annum for every 100 members movement. or fraction thereof. The resolution was carried by 52 to He said that by adopting a similar 10, a decision.which was re-affirmed on sy3tem in the Workington district the a card vote by 360,000 to 124,000. workers had been able to obtain a majority on the Parish Council. THE AD.MISSION OF TRADES COUNCILS. Mr. J. B. W ILLIAl\IS (Musicians) Mr. BENSON (Railway Servants) pro­ seconded the amendment. posed:- Mr. WILL THORNE (Gasworkers) said RESOLUTION 8. he was in sympathy with the spirit That the Committee to be appointed be instructed in calling the next Conference to of the amendment, but was afraid issue in1:itations to Trades Councils, and Trade Unions would have di:ffieulty in that the basis of representation be as follows: getting the 10s. per 1,000. .It was all One delegate on the Committee and one very well to say they ought to pay, but delegate for every 25,000 members affiliated to the annual meeting. Payment of £5 to when they went to their members for e1;ery 25,000 affiliated, or part thereof.

23 18

J\fr. J. LENTHALL (Railw,ty Servants) found it came within the terms of the formally seconded the motion. Plymouth resolution, and were com­ The previous question was moved pelled to receive it. and lost, only 7 voting for it. VOTES OF THANKS. Amendment to add after the words " Trades Councils," " Co - operative On the proposition of Mr. KEIR Societies." This was accepted, and the HARDIE, a vote of thanks was heartily resolution vras put, when there voted accorded to Mr. Steadman, l\tI.P., for for, 48, against 11. On an appeal to presiding. cards, there were, for, 218,000; against, 191,000. The CHAIRMAN, in responding, ex­ pressed the hope that the work of the The CHAIR:'IIAN said he would like to Conference would result in the consolida­ point out that in carrying the resolution tion of the Labour movement, so that they had entirely altered the constitu­ in the near future labour would be tion of the Conference. better represented in the House of Mr. SEXTON (Dockers) said that the Commons than it was to-day. Standing Orders Committee had This concluded the business of the seriously considereJ the resolution, but Conference.