Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-12-13
LABOR QUESTION,
Its Condition and How Il Can
be improved.
Being Discussed at Session Of thc
american Federation Of Labor.
Prssidsat erempsrs and Other Officials Make
tAs Usual Annual Reports.

| PHILADELfuiA,D Dee. l2.-President sam
uei Gompers opened the lath annual session
of the American Federation of labor in In
dependence hall this morning. The ad-
dress of welcome in behalf of the United
Labor Leage of this city, was delivered ty
George Chance of Typographical Union
No. 2.
President Gompers replied briefly. \
committee on credentials was announced
and the convention took recess until .
o'clock
Mr. Gompers in his address said ;
Events have taken place in the field of
labor within the past six months which have
aroused public attention to an unusual ex-
tent. In each of the these labor struggles
the employers and corporations have SIM
" made reques, and armed forces of the
states and the nation were at their bidding
The efforts of the toiing masses TO carry
on the struggle for improved conditions
have been met in a spirit of bitterest antag-
onism.
But labor organizations will not be
crushed The labor movement is a mani
festation of the unrest born of the convic-
ton that injustice prevails which needs
remedying and supplanting by justice and
right. Organization is the watchword of
the hour"
Mr.. Gompers is convinced that further
aggressive action in the effort to establish
an eight hour work day will be productive
of good results. He urges the convention
TO formulate and demand legislation against
unrestricted immigration, and declares the
action of Congress in closing the Worlds
Fair on Sundays was piece of legislation
entirely foreign to its sphere.
A note to the general officers of the
Knights of Labor, suggesting that a confer
ence be held to discuss their original and
the Federation's counter propositions, was
replied to in discourteous and insolent
manner. and since that time the Fedora
tons officers have heard nothing further iu
reference TO the matter.
AT the afternoon session delegates were
entertained for half hour by John Swim
ton. the well-known New York journalist
in a savage attack on "Blacklegging, Pink
ertonism and Trckery." The speaker CON
cluded with an appeal for the union of all
labor organizations on fundamental princi-
pies.
Resolutions were adopted denouncing the
proposed awarding of the contract for the
Worlds Fair catalogue to Il non-union pub
fishing house, and demanding that the work
be given to a union concern.
Ii was stated in behalf of the resolutions
that the printers of Chicago had subscribed
500 900 toward the fair under the belief
that il would be of great benefit TO labor,
and that it was now proposed to make the
award to the only printing house in Chicago,
which is antagonistic to labor interests.
President Gompers then read his annual
report.
The following is a synopsis of Secretary
Evans report During the year ending
October 3lst, 1892, there were 2S5 charters
issued in the 32 states of the union, the
largest number of charters issued during
any one wear since the American Fedora
ton of Labor was organized. National
Unions Affiliated have also received through
the officers of the American Federation of
Labor, 81 applications, an item well worthy
of consideration.
The total receipts for the year en- ling
October 3lst. 1892, were S25 800 expenses,
SIS, 1924; balance on hand, SI66G. On
November Ist, 1891 ,S4323 was in the treas
ury from assessments and s3,S25 in the
general fund.
During the year the total receipts for
donations and assessments were Si419. a
large part of this sum has been loaned to
various labor organizations, leaving bal
ance in the treasury of S94S from donations
and assessments. and S67l7 in the general
fund, an increase over that of last year of
s2sS9
At 6 o'clock the convention adjourned
until O'Clock tomorrow morning.