Evening journal., 1888-12-12
FOR EIGHT HOURS A DAY.
The Principal Theme of the
Federated Convention.
PRESIDENT GOMPERs' ADDRESS.

AtN makes irhctlchi suggestions for "a
General Eight Hour Agitation ana the
Committee Takes the Subject in Hand.
Criticisms Of the X. OF l.
ST. LOUIS, Dec. 12.-The convention Of
the American Federation Of Labor was
called to Norder by President Gompers at
noon ia Central Turner hall s. S. Bass and
President C. Il Woodward, Of Washington
university, made addresses Of welcome re-
sponded 10 by President Gompars A com
mittee on credentials was appointed. after
which the convention adjourned until 8
o'clock About 100 delegates are in attend
ance
AT the afternoon session the committee
on credentials reported seating forty-seven
delegates, representing thirty three bodies
The committee on rules reported fixing the
hours Of the session from 8 a. m 10 ~ noon,
and from until 6 p. m. The Federation got
quickly 70 work, and In less than half an
hour from calling the session to order Presi-
dent Gompers called First Vice President
Daniel Mclaughlin, OF Braidwood, Ills. to
the chair and took the floor to read his an
nual report.
The report opens by declaring the purpose
Of the meeting to be to plan for the fun
amelioration Of the wrongs now existing
and the betterment Of the entire industrial
body. Considerable spnec is given to the
eight hour working day. Upon this subject
Mr. Gompers says: "ln connection with the
eight hour movement permit me to direct
your attention to what believe some Of the
actions Of this convention should be toward
achieving success. We should not content
ourselves with the passage Of q resolution
meaning nothing. II this convention should
decide TO engage the attention OF the work
ing people 70 the adoption OF the eight hour
work day, it should take such steps as would
lead TO practical action and results. / would
suggest further that we should encourage
the formation of eight hour leagues in every
city and town throughout the entire eoun-
try, and that the trade unions should be
represented in them, not TO conflict with the
local Central Labor unions or trade coun-
ellis, but 10 concentrate their efforts upon
the eight hour movement alone / suggest
llrther that certain day be set apart, some
holiday, probably Feb -, 1889 on which
mass meetings shall he held simultaneously
throughout the entire country for the dis
cussion Of this subject and resolutions Of a
similar character be submitted to each Of
these meetings. There are other matters of
detail connected with this subject which it is
unnecessary to refer tor
Mr. Gompers strikes hard at autocracy In
the labor movement and declares that auto
cracy Is as dangerous in labor unions ns it is
in the state.n
As TO strikes he says: For quite time
great deal has been said In condemnation of
strikes by labor or pseudo-labor men with
which | confess ! have no patience It is
true that no man who has given the question
of strikes and the labor movement any
thought can look upon strikes with favor
but to be continually condemn,ng them il
entirely another thing To know when to
strike, and particularly when not to strike.
IS science not yet fully understood Mouth
ing condemnation OF strikes, we find by ex-
perience, does not abolish or even reduce
their number. As consistent opponent of
strikes, though, do find that those organiza-
tions Of labor which have best provided
themselves with the means to strike have
continually less occasion 70 indulge in them.
The most potent factor 70 prevent or re-
duce the number of strikes Is a weu organ
lied trade union, with full treasury, ready
to strike should the necessity arise
OF relation to other organizations the re-
port says; "Our position has not and is not
likely 70 materially change The Federation.
being the representative Of the trade union
movement, can afford 70 be generous. even
70 its enemies The trade unions have no
fatulent existence They were not called
into being by any necromancy. Their exist
ence is tho natural and historically developed
result Of our economic conditions and en-
vironmentSn
The report charges that Powderly. after
asking for a conference looking TO harmony
between the KING hts Of Labor and the FEEDER |
alton, failed to meet the Federation repre- |
sentatives Throughout the report a bitter |
ness Is shown against the Knights OF Labor.
which, however, seemed to meet with little |
response from the delegates II Gays: "Of |
the knights Of Labor l can merely say that |
their conduct toward the trade unions within |
the past year has not improved II hos |
seemed, whether by design or otherwise. to |
he their purpose that when a trades union 4
has had dispute between their employer |
and themselves to throw the influence of |
their organization against the toilers.m
The report closes with a grateful recorni- /
tion Of the assistance and support the pres-
dent has received from the various branches
and strongly urges for the future a strict
autonomy Of trades, yet strong alliance OF
all. Hearty applause followed the close OF
the report.
Frank X. Foster, Of the Central Labor
union Of Boston, moved TO refer that part Of
the report relating TO the eight hour question
to special committee, to report upon the
feasibility of the recommendation, and IL
found feasible to report ways and means FOR
It's enforcement
After some debate, which brought out the
eight hour day question as the central one az
the session, 1t was carried.
The delegates attended a banquet last night
rendered by the Trades and Labor assembly
Of this city.
Mr.. ingalls,, Denial