The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-12-11
MR. 66APERy REPORT
To the Annual Convention Of the
Federation Of Labor.
HOPEFUL FOR THE NEAR FUTURE.
He Believes That We Are within q Year
OF an industrial Revival Which Will Far
surpass Amy Previous Period-Opposing
Compulsory Arbitration.

Compulsory Arbitration.
DENVER, Dec. ff.--Thc report Of Presi-
dent Gompers to the American Federation
of Labor, referring TO tho coal miners
strike, says that 125, 900 men were out for
eight weeks, and yet there was hardly a
dearth of coal. Considering this, the es-
Enlistment Of a minimum rate of wnses
was very great victory He defended the
action Of the federation in regard to the
American Railway union by the assertion
that Mr.. Debs' proposition submitted to
the members virtual Acknowledgement
that the strike was failure. President
Cleveland's action at that time he severely
condemned
The honest effort of the government TO
regulate immigration was acknowledged,
but amendments to the laws were sug-
gestSd, the most important of which was
speedy trinls of immigrants suspected of
being under contract and the sending of
agents to foreign countries to inspect pros
pective immigrants.
Hope was expressed that government
telegraph and telephone will soon be es-
tablished in connection with the postal de-
partment, and unions among government
employees were recommended as an aid to
the movement.
American seamen were claimed to be
the worst treated of those of any civilized
nation. The bills in their interest and
also for the protection of the cigarmakers,
he said, would have passed the last session
OF congress by congress but for the preju-
dicial effect from the railroad strike The
establishment of a national labor day was
referred to as the only sunbeam labor re-
ceiyed from the last session of congress-
rnI 70 it,l ths,
Phillips bill for the creation Of an indus
trial commission. The efforts of the Of
hcers of the federation in behalf of free
coinage of silver were mentioned, and
better understanding of the subject by la
boring men generally was reported. The
matter of proposed semi-annual confer
ences with the knights of Labor was re-
ferfcd to the convention, but q union of
the organizations was not recommended.
Mr.. Gompers strongly opposed any move
ment looking to independent political ac-
tion by organized labor at present. Re
suits of local attempts in this line were
cited to show the disastrous effects. A
serious strain upon labor organizations
was predicted for the coming winter but
the speaker added: "Unless every indica-
ton is incorrect we are within a year of
an industrial revival which in activity
and intensity will far surpass that Of any
previous period"
The present time was suggested as OPP
perfume for the Inauguration of vigor-
Gus demand for an eight hour day and for
law prohibiting contract work on gov
ernment improvements. The proposition
to establish compulsory arbitration was
denounced and the charge made that de-
signing persons were advocating it as n
means of destroying labor organizations
Il beg to submit" said he, that In few
II any, instances, would awards be rem
dered against the trades unions when the
trade would be thoroughly organized, but
during the period of organization, or
through the unauthorized hasty action of
member, the entire union could be placed
in peril, its future and its efficacy des-
troyed, and the workers placed Mt the ten
der mercics of their employers
A letter was read from Carl Browne,
General Coxey's lieutenant, in which
he congratulated the convention that it
had no Calling aimed at it, and suggested
that it pass n resolution demanding that
If congress enacts the currency law pro-
posed by President Cleveland employers
will hereafter be compelled to pay for labor
In gold. The letter was referred to the
committee on resolutions, after which an
adjournment was taken until tomorrow
morning at 8 o'clock.