Los Angeles herald., 1891-12-15
A Prosperous Year for the
Federation of Labor.
Annual Convention of the Order
at Birmingham, Ala.
Trouble With the Pacific Coast
Federated Trades.
The Dynamiter's Head at Last Iden-
tihed-Edward Nj. Field Ar
rested-GeneraI Eastern
Happenings.
Associated Press Dispatches.

BIRMINaHAM, Ala, Dec. IA. = The
eleventh annual national convention oil
the Federation of Labor convened this
morning, being called to order by Presi-
dent Gompers.
About $50 delegates were present from
all parts of the United States and Can
ada. Only routins business was trans
acted today.
President Gompers, in calling the
convention TO order, said he would re-
serve the delivery of his annual address
until tomorrow. He then delivered a
beef address of welcome. The growth
OF the organization during the past
year, he said, had been phenomenal,
and the delegates before him repre-
million of organized laborers.
Gompers, in conclusion, said much
yet remained to be done, as combina-
tions against labor can only be success
fully coped with by compact and
thorough organization Of the wage
workers. 1.-The perpetuity of the insti-
tutions OF our country, freedom OF the
citizens, the burden upon our sisters,
the cry of the children for relief demand
that we labor with all our power to re-
lieve ourselves from the great wrongs by
which we are surrounded"
At the conclusion of the presidents
address the convention went into exec
utive session. General Secretary Evans,
in presenting the annual report, said
while trade unions are doing noble work
in the line of reform, they are not max
ing as rapid progress as they should,
and renewed efforts were urged.
The report showed that during the
term ending October 3lst, 246 charters
had been issued to unions in thirty
states. Charters had also been granted
to ten national unions, making total
OF 256 during the year. The receipts OF
the year were $21 ,344, and the expendi-
lures, $l3,l90, leaving balance of
$8l5S. The statement was rendered
notable, by showing that the total out
lay for salaries on account OF 0rganiza-
ton, with hundreds OF branches and a
membership OF three-quarters of mill
ion, was only $4,000.
In regard to the Council of Federated
Trades of the Pacific coast, the commit
tee on credentials referred the question
of admitting the delegates directly to
the convention itself. The San Fran
cisco case is the most important ques-
ton likely to come before the conven-
ton, with the possible exception of
the boycott. Delegate Carter did not
wish to oppose the seating of the San
Francisco delegates, but lie questioned
the wisdom of such action. they should
be careful lest they encourage insubor-
dination. They should not let sympathy
lead them astray.
Delegate Valentine of San Francisco
believed if any local union was guilty OF
insubordination, it should be suspended.
The San Francisco federation had been
suspended for not paying an assessment,
not on account of the money involved,
because they knew it was unjust. Money
was no object in the matter.
Delegate Jones offered resolution
that special committee be appointed
to'consider the San Francisco case, and
after prolonged discussion, the resolu-
tion was adopted. The president ap-
pointed Blackmore, Byron, Smead,
Fulknerand Shiels as the committee,
with Instructions toreport tomorrow.