The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-12-11

man Strlke-Long Strain Predicted
for This Winter.
DENVER, Col, Dec. 10.-The four
teenth annual convention OF the Amer
lean Federation Of Labor was called to
order by President Gompers promptly
at 10 o'clock to-day. There were 100
delegates and spectators in Odd Fel-
lows hall at that time, and half as many
more came in during the morning sess-
ion. President Rhodey Kehan, OF the
Denver Trades Assembly. delivered the
address Of welcome, to which Mr.. Com.
pers briefly responded, Tho latter
spoke feeliugly OF the almost desperate
condition OF labor at the present time.
This was followed by complimentary
words for Denver and her energetic peo-
pie. Beferring to the innovation OF
holding this convention SO far west as
Denver, he suggested that within de-
cade the westward movement OF indus
try might take the conventions OF the
federation to the Golden Gate.
As Mr.. Gompers closed his remarks,
John Burns, the great English labor
leader, entered the hall and was greeted
with storm OF applause. he took his
seat at the left OF the president, the
chair on the right being occupied by
David Holmes, NIP, of London. Presi-
dent Gompers named James Duncan,
R. Fl. Metcalf, Thomas J. EIkerkin,
Herbert A. Mullen and Thomas +.
Tracy as committee on credentials.
Thomas NJ, Patterson, OF Denver, was
introduced and delivered an address on
"Labors Rough But Noble Struggle" J"
The speaker, ever eloquent and inter-
esting, was at his best, and his dellnea-
tions OF the industrial conditions OF the
past and present was received with ire
quent applause.
One OF the changes in the situation
from the past he attributed to the IN
crease OF corporations. He said that
while the individual employer might
feel a sympathy for his employees the
corporation could entertain no such
emotion. The action Of the federal
government in the Pullman strike was
denounced as tyrannical. The general
managers' association, he said, should
have been held responsible for the de-
laws of the mails. Capital. he said.
controlled the situation either by In
fluencing elections or by purchasing the
members OF tho national and local legis'
latures. A vote OF thanks was given
Mr.. Patterson at the conclusion OF his
address, after which the convention ad-
journed till 2 o'clock.
doMpERs' REPORT.
President Gompers' annual report,
which was submitted to the convention
this afternoon, contains nearly 5000
words. He complimented the organi-
cation upon being able to preserve its
existence during the recent adverse cir.
cumstauces. Referring to the coal
miners strike. he said l25,0OO men
were out for eight weeks, and yet it was
hardly deartn OF coal. Considering
this, the establishment OF minimum
rate of wages was very great victory.
He defended the action OF the Fedora
tiou in regard to the A. R. u, by the
assertion that Mr.. Deba' proposition
submitted to them was virtual ac-
acknowledgements that tho strike was
failure. President Cleveland's action
at the time he severely condemned.
Tho honest effort OF the government
to regulate immigration was acknowl-
edged, but amendments to tue laws
were suggested, the most important OF
which were speedy trials OF Immigrants
suspected OF being under contract and
the sending OF agents to foreign coun-
tries to inspect prospective immigrants.
Hope was expressed that government
telegraph and telephones will soon be
established In connection with the
postal system, and unions among gov,
ernment employees were recommended
as an aid to the movement.
The efforts OF the officers OF the teder-
alton in behalf OF free coinage OF silver
were mentioned and better under.
standing Of the subject by laborinG men
generally was reported.
The matter Of proposed semi.annual
conferences with the Knights OF Labor
was referred to the convention. but
union OF the organizations was not rec
commended. :.
Speaking OF the programme submit
ted by the last convention to the attilia-
ted unions for discussion, Mr.. Gompers
strongly opposed any movement look
ing to independent political action by
Organized labor at present Results oil
local attempts In this line were cited to
show the DISASTROUS effects.
BETTER TINES PREDICTED.
A serious strain upon labor organiza-
tions was predicted for the coming win
ter, but the speaker added:
"Unless every indication Is incorrect,
tho cause and effect lose their logical
sequence, We are within "year Of an IN,
dustrial revival, which in activity and
intensity will far surpass that oil any
other previous period"
The proposition to establish com.
pulsory arbitration was denounced anu
the charge made that designing persons
wero advocating it rs means ot de-
stroying labor organizations.
MANY persous, including Congress
man. had written him on tho subject, he
said. and It was obvious to him III <
there was danger OF some such law bein
enacted.
A cordial greeting was given tho Eng.
lish delegates. and much benefit was
prcdicted from d closer aililiation with
the wage.earners across the water.
Whom tho Federation came to order
in tho afternoon the committee on
credentials reported uncontested dele