Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1890-12-29
GONPERS TO THE A. F. L.
THE PRESIDENTS REPORT TO THE
ANNUAL CONVENTION.


Has Done This Year-Encouraging
Eight Hour and Strike Statistics.
President Samuel Gompers' report to
the tenth annual convention OF the
American Federation of Labor, held in
Detroit, Dec. S-13, was short and to the
point. The following extracts contain
some of the important features:
There are those who, failing to COM
prehend the economic, polite and social
tendencies of the trades union movement,
regard it as entirely "too slow ''too
conservative" and desire to hurl it head
long into path which. while struggling
and hoping for the end. will leave us
stranded and losing the practical and
beneficial results of our efforts. | main
tain that the working people are in too
great need of immediate improvements
in their condition to allow them to fore
go them in the endeavor to devote their
entire energies to an end however beau
tiful to contemplate. maintain further
that the achievement of present practi-
cal improvements for the toilers places
them on so much vantage ground gained
and renders them more capable to deal
with the various problems it is their
mission to solve. In the language of
that foremost of economic and social
thinkers, Ira Steward, THE way out of
the wage system is through higher
wages, resultant only from shorter
hours" In working upon this line it is
not necessary to oppose any school OF
thought upon the labor problem, but to
carry out the solemn duties imposed
upon us is imperative"
THE EIGHT HOUR MOVEMENT.
The report refers to the eight hour
movement in the carpenters trade, the
results of which are now pretty well
known, and then it adds:
From statistical blanks issued within
the past two months to the trade unions
| learn that there are few trades or call
ings throughout the whole country that
have not obtained reduction il the
hours of their labor or an increase in
their wages. In some, where formerly
it had been held that the enforcement
of the eight hour rule was entirely in
compatible with the interests of the in
dustry. notably among the iron and
steel workers, few Of the largest con-
Germs have made test of the three shifts
system with entire success.
There is no question but that the near
future is bright for the eight hour move
ment. if the organized wage workers will
but concentrate their efforts upon its
achievement.
The executive council of the American
Federation of Labor last March selected
the coal miners Of the country to make
the demand for the enforcement of the
eight hour work day Immediately after
thecontest of the carpenters would close,
and so notified the officers
The time was deemed unpropitious,
and they declared for its enforcement
May, |, 1891. In consequence of that
decision it upset the plans of the execu-
tive council to continue in the selection
of one trade after another, since none
other of national character was in a
position of preparation to enter the con-
test upon SO short notice: hence we
have decided to refer the entire subject
to this convention for further considera-
ton and approval.
GROWTH OF ORGANIZATION.
In speaking of the growth of the or
CARNATIONS affiliated with the federation.
President Gompers says:
Twelve new national and information
al unions were formed within the past
year, and two are about to hold a con-