The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-13
FEDERATION OF LABOR.
OPENING SESSION or THE TWELFTH
ANNUAL CONTENTION.
The War on the Worlds Fair Management
Observation-Disclosures and "Carnagie-
ism" Denounced by the Speakers.

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 12.-The twelfth
annual convention of the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor was called to order this
/ morning by President Gompers. Seventy
five delegates were present, representing
10000 tradesmen of all kinds.
George L. Chance. president Of the
typographical Union, No. 2. delivered
the address Of welcome. In his remarks
he deprecated the condition Of the work
ing man in Pennsylvania by reason Of
the low wages paid. and said the laws Of
the nation and State are partly respon-
sible for the state Of affairs. According
10 a Judge of the supreme court trades
are tyrannes, while the reasonable act
of the Carnegie corporation In making
war upon our state was perfectly Justi-
fable. IL is possible that through the
blood Of the men, who died on the banks
OF the Monongahela last July may come
a realization of the true condition OF af-
fairs and that the legislation Of the
future will be in the masses rather than
OF the aggrandzement OF the few.
President Gompers responded and said
he desired to express his appreciation of
the warning note sounded in Pennsylvania.
1T Is time" he said, that the workers
who dre producers, should formulate their
demands and in no uncertain tones pre-
sent them to those VINO would seek the
destruction Of that spirit Of independence
1t is lamentable that judges will stoop
So low as to aim at an end so despicable
as has been recently witnessed in Pennsyl-
vania"
John Swinton, Of New York, made a
half hours address, in which he also
declared that sufferers from labor strifes
should be pensiOned the same as are vet
Grams Of the Union army He dwet upon
the Homestead trouble and denounced
"Pinkertonism," "Frickism," Carnegie
ism" and "Blacklegism." He hoped to see
the day when all labor organizations
would be brought together in one great
congress, and when strikes would be
ohliterated. At the conclusion Of Mr..
Swinton's remarks the committee on
credentials presented it's report which
was adopted. Eighty-one delegates were
reported as being present.
President GOmpers then read the COM
position Of the committees, after which
First Vice President y. }. Mcclure, Of
Philadelphia, took the chair.
Thomas J. Elderkin, general president
and treasurer Of the Lake Seamen's Be
nevolent Association, of Chicago, pre-
sented resolution protesting against the
awarding the printing of the Worlds
Fair catalogue TO the w. b. Conkey Com
pany. Of Chicago, a distinctly non-union
office. This matter raised the liveliest
kind of a discussion, and as 1t was with
out the official seal of the international
Typographical Union or Of the Chicago
Typographical Union, President Gompers
raised a point of order that as the reso-
luton was not received unanimously 1t
was out of order The Chair decided the
point well taken and 1t was sustained.
The convention adopted the rules OF the
Birmingham, Ala, Convention, last year.
but suspended the rules temporarily so
that Delegate Elder1in and the Interna-
tonal Typographical delegates could con
Il. on the Conkey Company resolution
and report after President Gompers' ad-
dress.
Mr.. Gompers then began reading his
report. and at its conclusion the com
mittee that considered the Chicago pro-
test came in, but they had not agreed
upon the wording Of the resolution. An
amendment was offered 10 strike out the
word Union" and insert Fair" and this
started a general discussion. The ma
iority of the international Typographical
Union delegates favored Far on the
ground that a union Office was necessa-
q
word would have more weight with the
Worlds Fair directors.
President Gompers admonished the deie-
gates TO abide by the suggestions OF the
International Typographical Union dele
gates becalrse Of their interests being
particularly involved. This was not neeu-
ed however, for by a vote OF % 10 ~ Ihe
convention decided 10 retain the Woru
Union"
The resolutions as adopted READ;
Whereas it having come 10 our kno~i-
edge that the directors OF the oHu ~
lumbar Exposition are about 10 let tne
contract for the large and important "olA
of printing the catalogue Tor sa'u EApo-
sition and
Whereas we are led 70 believe from pub
Iished accounts in the daily press that II
is contemplated to let the contract u
Chicago firm; and ,
Whereas the Chicago Iypograpnlcdt
Union has displayed the most friendly
spirit toward the Worlds COLUMBIAN Tx
position and was the first body OF organ
lied labor to purchase stock in the World )
Fair Company; therefore be 1t
Resolved. That the American Fedora
tion Of Labor, also friendly 10 the + ar,
protest against the aWardihs u
the above contract TO any but recos-
nized union office
Tonight the resolutions were tele-
graphcd 10 Chicago, and to- morrow they /
viii be laid before the ways and means
Of the Columbia Exposition IN |
the hone OF Influencing that body In |
awarding the contract for the printing OF
the catalogues.
The report Of Secretary Chris Evans OF
New York, was then read 1t shows the
total receipts during the past year TO nave
been $25, $3.50 and total expenses $lS,52L leaV-
Ug a balance in the treasury or N'obo.
At o'clock the Convention adJourheu
until 8 o'clock tomorrow morning.
The Convention will end Saturday after
noon, at which time officers will be
elected.