The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-15
LABOR'S BIG LEAGUE.
The American Federation, With
Over 10000 Members.
FIVE THOUSAND ALLIED UNIONS
That Mighty Organization That Powderiy
Has Tried in Vain to Destroy
Eight Hour Agitation.
New York Tdbune.

Not only are million or more working
men personally interested in the operations
and methods OF business as transacted by
the American Federation of Labor. bat
thousands of the employers of labor are
equally anxious to become acquainted with
the work and policy of this organization of
workingmen, the largest In the world. and
which so greatly, though Indirectly, con-
troll the labor situation in this country.
The phenomenal growth OF the American
Federation of Labor in membership and
wealth is due entirely to the conservatism
of its officers, the economy of its forces and
the progressive principle of its policy. In
1887 the membership OF the Federation was
2.421 local unions or branches and SOC, $40
members in good standing. There are now
over 10000 members and nearly 5000
unions united under the leadership Of
Samuel Gompers, the president of the
American Federation of Labor.
Mr.. Gompers is short, thick-set man,
with strong face and well-set head,
crowned with locks of curling black hair
and he bears the stamp of that energy and
determination which have won him fore
most place in the ranks of labor.
He was born in London, England, and
came to America when boy. He joined
the Knights of Labor when working at hi,
trade as a cigarmaker, but not being in
harmony with the policy of this organize
ton, he resigned to take part in the forma.
ton of the body OF which he is now the
president.
The headquarters of the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor are at No. 81 Clinton
Place. and from early morning until dark
the force of clerks is kept hard at work by
the business which pours in upon them
from all sections Of the country, and which
must all pass through the presidents
hands. 1t is in this Office that every detail
concerning the organization OF new
unions, the conducting of strikes, the ad.
mission of members and financial business
generally is conducted, and it is from here
that charters, seals, certificates, cards and
labor literature are distributed, not only
through America, but Europe as well.
Book-shelves and pigeon-hoies cover the
walls, great piles OF papers stand on the
floor 10 be sorted and filed, desks and
tables are scattered about the large Office
and everywhere and at all times those pres
ent are busy each in his own special line.
Mr.. Gompers' ofticels by itself, and into this
''den," as he calls it. few have the priv
lege of entering. Here, assisted by q
stenographer and typewriter. he transacts
business affecting the interest OF a million
people who call him 'chief."
The methods by which the officers of the
federation are kept posted on every detail
of the workings of the unions and the oc.
crrrences in all parts of the country which
may bear upon the labor question consist
of perfect system of reports sent to head
quarters at regular intervals by nearly
5000 unions, the representative OF some
one of which can be found in nearly every
town and city.
The officers of the American Federation
of Labor, which now constitute its exrcu
tive council, are. Samuel Gompers, presi
dent; William Martin, of Pittsburg. first
vice president; ]. p. Mcclure, of Philadel-
Evans. secretary, and Henry Enrich
treasurer.
Christopher Evans, the secretary, and
the only member OF the executive council
who is always to be found at No. 81 Gin
ton Place, has had large and varied ex
| perience in the field of labor. He was borr
March s, 1871, in Stafordshire, England
and came to this country when % year.
| old, in 1869. He settled in Ohio and joined
the now disorganized, but then powerful
Miners National Association. and rapidly
became leader in its councils, represent
| ing il in convention until 1874. In 1875 b,
| joined the knights of Labor. and then be
came president of the Ohio Miners Asso
| citation, District No. 1, and it was Will,
~
| Quoted the famous Hooking Valley strike
during which the miners held out fol
| nearly year. Mr.. Evans Joined tn,
| American Federation in 1886, and was frs
| elected assistant and then general secre
| tary, succeeding p. ]. Mcclure.
! Mr.. Evans is a hard worker, and can bs
| found at any time during the day attended,,
| to such business as does not require tn,
| signature of President Gompers. Hi
| right-hand man and chief clerk is Edward
| II. Blick, genial man and conscientiou
| worker. Ever since the organization OF tn,
| American Federation OF Labor in Pittsburg
| on November 10. 1881. 1t has grown to b,
more and more the rival of the Knights o
Labor, and every year it is gaining many
| recruits from that organiza ion. This i
| for several reasons: First, because ths
| dues to the central BODY from internationa
| and national trades unions are only one
| fourth of one cent a month for each mem
| Der, or3 cents year; second, because eacl
| trade is organized separately and has fire,
| labor bureaus and sick benefits; and third
| because the policy of the federation is t,
! deprecate trade strikes without great prov
| ocation.
| The aim of the American Federation i
| Ultimately to absorb every labor organize
i ton in the country formed under tn,
/ trade-union system, and so between tn,
| Federation and the Knights of Labor ther,
/ is continuous struggle for supremacy
| which bids fair To continue indefinitely
/ The largest federated trade which is
| member of the federation is the Interna
| tionai Cigarmakers' Union, which ha
| branches in every city where cigars ar
i manufactured. and q membership of owe
| 10000. The United Brotherhood of Car
| penters and Joiners of America is also
/ powerful union. 1t was the latter uniol
which was chosen to inaugurate the fgh
| in this country for eight hours, and il
| nearly 200 cities il has been successful.
| As set forth in the constitution, the oh
| iect of the federation is to secure legisla
| lion in the interest of the working masses
to influences public opinion. by peaceful an,
| legal methods. III favor of organized labo
| and TO aid and encourage the labor press o
| America.
It is the belief of the officers of the fed
Grafton that the best way to help their fel
| low-workers is to shorten the hours o
| labor, and 10 accomplish this they have spen
! many thousands OF dollars and issued mil
| lions of pamphlets. which have been dis
| tributed all over the world, and agitation
/ is nov in progress for another attempt mex
| spring to extend the eight-hour workda'
10 other trades. 0n.nearly ali document
and pamphlets issued from headquarter
| is the following stanza:
whether you work by the piece or work by tn
day.
| Decreasing the hours increases the pay
| As long as its conservative and peaceful
policy is adhered to the future OF the Amer
| lean Federation of Labor seems assured.
The Dear Girls.
The Bostonian.
Ethel-I sometimes fancy it is for m,