Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-15
Mr. GOMPERS'' BID
For Election Again as Presi.,
dent of the Fedora
tiOn of Labor.
WHAT HE HAS BEEN DOING
Seth Forth in an Address in the Shape
of an Annual Report.
CHICAGO DELEGATES HUSTLING
10 Remind Everybody of the Worlds Co.
lumbar Exposition.
WHAT HE HAS BEEN DOING
CHICAGO DELEGATES HUSTLING
THE PERSONNEL OF THE CONVENTION


delegates compose the American Fedora.
tion of Labor, which met here this morr-
ing, and they represent nearly every State
in the Union. By happy accident Cover
nor Jones was in birmingham on his can
vass for a denomination and made the
speech of welcome.
The Committee on Credentials made only
three adverse reports. William c. Pome-
roy, representing the Illinois State Fedora
tion and the St. Louis Walters and Bartend-
ers, was ruled out, after debate. Hoyt
Raymond, from the Chicago building
trades, was rejected. In the first case, the
Illinois Federation had failed to pay its
dues.
referred to the convention itself. They
represent the Coast Trade Council, and the
objection is that it harbors the Brewers
Union, of San Francisco, an organization
not in harmony with its national associa-
tion. The question gave rise to a long and
interesting discussion, and is the leading
topic up to date. The indications from the
debate are that the delegate. will not be ad-
mitted. The matter was finally reported to
a special committee of five, who will report
tomorrow.
Interesting Annual Reports Presented.
President Gompers Secretary Evans and
Treasurer Lennon read their annual reports,
which were referred to appropriate COM
mittees. The convention adjourned till to-
morrow without taking action on any of the
recommendations. The subject that seems
likely to attract most attention is the
proposition to repeal article of the consti-
tuition, which provides for assessments to
help unions engaged in strikes or lockouts
So far as there has been any expression Of
sentiment, it is favorable to the repeal.
The question of the election of officers has
not been discussed as yet, though it is gen.
orally understood fight will be made
against the reelection of Gompers
One colored delegate is present, hailing
from Arkansas. He signalized himself this
morning by proposing to admit the delegate
from Chicago, who was in arrears, and offer
ing to subscribe 81 to help him paw up.
The Chicago delegation is the most active
and conspicuous, and keeps open rooms at
the hotel, where they are booming the
Worlds Fair
Mrs Eva Mcdonald is the only woman
delegate. She represents the Minnesota
Farmers Alliance All sessions are held
with open doors The report of President
Gompers is very interesting. Following
are the main points:
Points of President Gompers' Report.
President Gompers SAYS that during the
year the Coopers' International Union has
been resuscitated, the Electrical Workers
have been organized into national union,
the carriage and wagon makers have organ
o1ZD hor-n ho
working in the ready-made clothing indus
try and the tanners and curriers'.
The Federation has issued 246 char
tiers to local unions and National
Trades unions have issued charters
to 1,040 local unions, giving the
movement total of l., 900 local unions
He reported the failure of the miners to
carry out the eight-hour movement and said
that the International typographical Union
had adopted resolution to inforce the nine
hour work day in their trade, but the propo-
sition did not receive two-thirds' vote and |
the movement was not made.
Although discouraged by the action of the |
miners a large number of workers secured |
reductions in their working hours, notably |
the building iron and clothing trades and |
surface railroad employees. The printing |
trade made several local movements with |
varying success. 1t Is worthy of note that. |
in all the answers received upon the Stats |
tical blanks sent to trade unions in this |
country, three blank spaces were provided |
for answer to the questions: "What, in the !
opinion of your union, are the three most |
important questions that the A. f. of L. /
should concentrate its efforts to secure?" \
While the two other answers differ materI-
ally, every union answered: "A reduction of
the hours of labor"
The International Labor Congress.
Mr.. Gompers attributed the failure of the
representative at the Brussels Congress to
have the International Labor Congress
meet in America in 1S93 to the repre-
sentations of one who was excluded from
the last convention. In speaking of the
coming convention he urged that full
delegation of representatives from all
Americans unions be present, so that the
labor organizations of the world might be
induced to be present
He also reviewed the condition of labor
throughout the world, saving that in Eng
land there are now 100000 organized trade
unionists; in France the Chambre des
Ouvriers .as never better organized than
to-day; in Germany the trade unions have
25o, 900 members, and in Belgium, Italy and
Spain the movement has obtained a good
start Speaking of convict labor Mr.
Gompers said after recommending that the
subject be considered in all its details:
The miners have gradually seen the con-
victs brought into the mining regions, their
|
work taken from them and given to the
convicts to perform. To II greater or lesser
degree the same evil prevails in all our
States. The policy of the States seems to be
to provide work for the convict: the free
man may be flung out of employment, pau
perized and denoralized, in too many in
stances beyond the hope of redemption for |
the mere srke that a few paltry dollars NAV
be saved" to the State, that it and its cor |
porate favorites may make fortunes at the |
expense and of the honor of the people. |
Fulture-like, the fallen and degraded are |
their prey. Under the constitutional pro-
the commerce between the States. the labor
OF convicts coul0 be prevented from being
permitted to enter any other State. ,
An Appalling Immigration Problem.
In relation to immigration he said:
We are confronted with a condition of
affairs in reference to immigration which is
indeed appalling, and should command the ]
earnest and sincere consideration of the
to this convention. F,
The time was when the American Deonle !
could declare that the United States should
be a haven Tor the oppressed of all nations I
and invite all who desired to seek a new
home to come to our shores. At that time d
entirely in their infancy, our lands
were undeveloped, our resources greater
than we even knew. The people who
came did SO of their own volition, they | n
cast their fortunes with those already here. :
earmonized and blended with them. To- | :
1ay, however, there is not industry 7
which is not overcrowded with working peo- Z
pie who vairly plead for opportunity to a
work. This is not only confined to the fac
'ories, workshops, mills, mines and stores:
,he same complaint can be heard arising
rom the farm lands, and all join in one r
mighty cry that relief must come I
There are ways and means by which ! V
without bigotry, narrowness and spirit OF s