The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-11

Tor the failure OF any workman 10 aDlde
by decision which may be awarded
against us, or in the absence of such funds,
compel the placing of bond by the trades
union for the enforcement of such an
award. I beg to submit that In few If
any instances would awards be rendered
against the trades unions when the trade
would be thoroughly organized, but during
the period of organization, or through the
unauthorized hasty action of a member,
the entire union could be placed in peril,
it's future and its efficacy destroyed and
the workers placed at the tender mercy of
their employers. The first step must be
organization, the second conciliatiop, the
nexI, possibly arbitration, but compulsory
ar arbitration-never."
The successful mediation of the general
officers in a number of disputes between
workingmen and employers was reported
and the statement made that labor must
conquer the right to be heard In all cases.
With this right many strikes and lockouts
might be averted. Mr.. Gompers asked
that more assistance be allowed the presi-
dent of the federation In his duties as
editor of the official organ of tha organiza-
tion.
&
delegates, and much benefit was predicted
from a closer affiliation with the wage
earners across the waters.
Higher dues for the various unions were
suggested as a means of increasing their
usefulness and augmenting their strength.
and the fact was cited that the only union
that has in ncreased its membership in the
past year has the highest dues of any of
the federation.
Secretary Chris Evans submitted his re-
port of the finance and numerical strength
of the federation. The receipts from all
sources. including balance Novem ber 1.
1898, of $7147 "A were stated at 500, 493 81.
The expenditures were given at SIT, ,302 OS.
including S3573 81 donated to the susteu-
ance of striking unions; $500 of this was
given to the Debs defense fund. The re-
ceipts and expenditures were less than In
1892 and 1898. There is a balance of
S5191 70 which is less than at any time
since 1890. The report showed that 167
charters were issued during the year for
local and central unions ana State fedora
tions in thirty States. Several unimport-
ant amendments to the constitution were
recommended. Regarding the proposition
that the federation enter politics, the sec
reIary recommended that such action be
confined to work Independent of any party.
Closer orga ization and a general break
ing away from political parties was recon-
mend ed.
The treasurer, John b. Lennon, made
his report, which was practically resume
of the finan cial items of Secretary Evans
report
President Gompers then introduced
Hon. John Burns, who made a short ad-
dress. He said: "Mr. David Holmes and
myself were chosen by the organized
laburers Of the old world TO represent
them in this the first merican labor con-
vention at which English representatives
were present. The convention that ap-
pointed US comprised 400 delegates, of
whom 100 were members of Parliament,
justices or municipal officers. This shows
what hold organized labor has upon the
people of England. I shall be pleased to
hear ten years from now that you have
progressed as far as we have to-day. Our
coming here is interesting for many rea-
sons, one of which is that the country
from which we come began the employ
ment system. 1 would say, however, that
if England inaugurated industrial competi-
ton America has eclipsed her in monop-
olies"
He spoke feelingly of the warm well
come they had received, and gave some
words of advice as to the future work of
the convention.
Mr.. Holmes excused himself from speak
ing, on account of heavy cold contracted
on his way to the city.
President Gompers, In response to MIR.
Burns remarks, stated that under no
Government on earth have laboring men
been so imposed upon as in America, but
expressed the hope that conditions may be
improved. and the improvement would be
aided by this fraternal meeting of labor
ing men of Europe and America.
A formal invitation from the Denver
Trades Assembly to take an excursion
around the 'loop" tomorrow was ac-
cepted, as was one to attend the Lyceum
Theater tomorrow night and reception
by the Hotel Employees Union tomorrow
night.
Rev. Myron w. Reed of Denver was in
troduced to the convention and made
brief address. He said: For fifteen
years have been more con cerned about
home over here than about a home over
there. have regarded the old world as
discipline and the new world as an oppor.
tunity aud regret that many opportunities
have been thrown away. We are told that
the workingman to-day is better off than
he formerly was. To my mind the Sioux
on the plains of Dakota with his pony
and bow and arrow fifty years ago was
better off than some Kansas or Nebraska
farmers to-day. The workingman may be
better off than he was, but he has by no
means kept pace with the Improvement In
art, science and invention"
Congratulatory telegrams were read from
Eugene Debs and James O'Conneil.
The credentials committee reported the
contests all settled except that of the
Painters Union, and asked for more time
on that. At this point Miss Phoebe
Cousins entered the room and was called
to the front Dy President Gompers. She
spoke briefly.
The president announced some of the
unimportant committees and the conven-
ton then proceeded to take the Painters
Union contest out Of the hands of the
credentials committee and seat the dele
gates heading the first issued credentials
Messrs. Cooper and Murphy. A spirited