The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-12-11
THE LABOR CONGRESS
r.hn Burns Warmly Greeted by
Delegates at Denver.
...re,ca FAR BEHIND. HE SAYS.
.tses Are Iore Powerful Here
rnan in England. an" Fewer work
lagmsn Held once.

-. phaav Kenehan. OF the Denver
-. 4ssemblr. delivered the address
s.s.,rne. 10 which Gompers briefly re-
800 t;ompers spoke feelingly OF the
- desperate condition Of labor AZ the
- time. Referring 20 the innova-
- ~ bosding THIS convention so far west
u.nxer he suggested that within de-
- lie westward movement OF industry
~s~sttsks the conventions OF the fedora
s,on 70 the Golden Gate
r.hn Burns. the English labor leader,
.-,s,ed the nail and va. greeted with
.sorm Of applause.
Thos,as 81. Patterson. Of Dan yer, deiiv-
- An address on "LAbor's Rough and
go struggle Ills delIneation OF the
..Sns.rtal conditions Of the past and pres
=, w.s received with frequent applause.
a.. Of the changes in the situation from
~. nas. he attributed to the increase of
generations. lie said that while the in
xiv,daal employer might feel sympathy
4, his empsoye. a corporation could enter
- 40 such emotion. The action OF the
Tsa,vai government IN the Pullman strike
"a. denounced "a tyranny. The General
u.,.vers' Association, he said, should
rave been held responsible tor the delays
u the nails. Capital controlled legisla-
,ou either BIZ influencing elections or by
rsrehasing members OF the national aud
SAFE legislatures.
President G0mpers' annual report. which
was submitted 10 the convention this
afternoon. contains nearly 500 words.
lie eompllmeuted the organization upon
being ab.e 10 preserve its existence during
the recent adverse circumstances. Re-
terring 10 the coal miners strike, he said
ZOO men we're out for eight weeks, and
set there was hardly dearth Of coal.
Considering this. tho establishment OF a
minimum seals OF wages was victory.
lie defended the action of the federation
h regard 20 the 4. Il. Il. strike, by the as
ssrtlon that Mr.. Debs' proposition sub
uilsed to them was a virtual acknowledge
neat that the strike was = failure. Presid-
snt Clevelands action at that time was
severely condemned. The honest effort of
the government TO regulate immigration
vas acknow lodged, but amendments TO
The laws were suggested, the most inn
porlant of which were speedy trials
Of immigrants suspected OF icing
under contract. and the sending
Of agents 10 foreign countries TO
inspect the immigrants. Hope was ex-
pressed that government telegTaphs and
xlephones will soon be established IN con-
neesion with the postal departments, and
ullons among government employees we're
recommended "a an aid 10 the move
meni. American seamen were claimed to
BE- the worst treated OF those of any civil
4ed nation. The bills in their interest.
and also for the protection of the cigar
makers. he said. would have passed the
Ast session OF congress but for the preiu-
dcial effect of the railroad strike. The
Establishment Of a national labor day was
,slerred 70 as the only sun beam labor had
received from the last session OF congress.
TIE convention was asked TO indorse the
Philips ball for the creation OF an indus
trial commission. Copies OF the bill were
distributed The efforts of the officers OF
the federation in behalf OF free
coinage Of silver were mentioned. and a
better understanding of the subject by
lahoring men generally vas reported. The
matter Of the proposed semi-annuaI con-
fefenees with the Knights Of Labor was
referred 10 the convention, but union OF
the organizations was not recommended.
Speaking of the programme submitted BY
the last convention 70 the affiliated unions
Ter discussion, Mr.. Gompers strongly
opposed any movement looking to indie
pendent political action by Organized labor
a. present The results OF local attempts
in this line were cited to show the disas-
troas effects.
serIoas strain upon labor organiza-
tons was predicted for the coming winter.
bst he speaker added: 'Unless every
Indication Is incorrect, and cause and ei-
feet lose their logical sequence. We are
yihin year of an industrial revival
Which in activity and intensity, wall far
sgrpass that OF any previous period. The
present time was suggested IS oppcrtune
.ar the Inauguration of a vigorous demand
,Sr an eight-hour day and for law pro-
hlaiting contract work on government
Improvements.
The proposition To establish compulsory
arbitration Was denounced. and the
saaFF' made than designing persons were
adyocatinE 1t as means OF destroying
hbor organizations. Many persons. in
eadinr con Eressnen. had written 20 him
ea tie subject, he said. and il was obvious
@st there Was danger OF some such law
Asag enacted. lit Is generally &C
sspsed. - he said. '}hat in the cousidera-
t0a Of she question OF compulsory arb =
tagi0a thcrc - one means by which an
tsaFa against labor could he enforced, but
Aal the imposition % those conditions
Sagld BE sAntamouut to cbattel slavery,
Asace tbe alternative proposition 10 make
Sc Organizations and the funds 81 she or
Faauagsons attachabie for the failure OF
Ey sofkuau 60 abide by decision which
sAy be argued against us. or. IN the ao-
seoe q saca funds. compel the placing OF
saoad by sac trade union for she enforce
nsat 81 sach an award beg to submit
ssa.d awards be rendered against
Ns trade unions when the trade
seed he thoroughly organized, but
s-EsaS The period Of organization. or
Afoagh the unauthorized nasty action OF
a@e@beF. tae entire anton could &c placed
peri. l.s flta-o and tts efficacy de-
a'oycd, and tho workers placed al tie
eadsr mercy of their employers" The
a1lslep saa>. he organization. the second
eactla1ioa, sac ne1J possibly arbitration,
- oamsa.sory trat3on never.
lie sacctssiI mediation of the general
e@eefs IN 2gmacr %. disputes between
'etkngmea and employers Vas reported,
Va ae statement made thai labor uuss
SA9aeF Sac ..cAs 80 20 heard IA al cases
s''a this ush; n any strikes aud lockouis
I'sa; BE svcrted Mr.. Gompers asked
s-st uore assistance be allowed the presi-
~sa@ g sAe federation IN his duties rs
'-1'2' Ct tae otacsa. organ q tAc oresniEa-
-. 4 cs-ilsl greeting wss givea the
Nas.'sA Delegates. and much bvneft VAS
l1s@ieisd trom J.oscT a.hAatIon with the
s&ss esrer-s across the waters Higher