The Wichita daily eagle., 1894-12-11
COMING NEXT YEAR
PRESIDENT GOMPERS PREDICTS
BOOMING GOOD TIMES.
Federation Cautioned Against New
Party Notions-Defends the Order
for Keeping Out of tho Strike, but
Denounces Governments Action
WockIngman's Condition.

convention of the American Fedora
ton Of Labor was called 10 order by
President Gompers today. There were
100 delegates and spectators in Odd
Fellows hall at the time and half as
many more came in during the morn
ing session. President Kenehan Of the
Denver Trades Assembly delivered an
address of welcome, to which Gompers
briefly responded. The latter spoke
feelingly of the most desperate con-
dition Of labor at the present time. AS
Gompers closed his remarks, John
Burns, the great English labor leader,
entered the hall and was greeted with
great applause.
He took his seat at the left of the
president, the chair on the right being
occupied by David Holmes, NJ. P, of
London. President Gompers named
James Duncan, r. II. Metcalf, Thomas
]. Elderkin, Herbert A. Mullen and
Thomas F. Tracey as the committee on
credentials. Thomas NJ. Patterson of
Denver was introduced and delivered
an address on "Labor's Rough but
Noble Struggle" The speaker, ever
best, and his delineation of industrial
conditions Of the past and present was
received with frequent applause.
One of the changes in the situation
from the past, he attributed to the in
crease of corporations. He said that
while an individual might feel sympa-
thy for his employer, corporation
could entertain no such emotion. The
action OF federal government in the
strike was denounced as tyrannical.
Capital, he said, controlled legisla-
ton, either by influencing elections or
by purchasing members of national
and state legislatures. A vote Of
thanks was given Mr.. Patterson at the
conclusion of his address. The con-
vention then adjourned until 2 o'clock.
BURNS ADMITTED.
When the convention came to order
for the afternoon the committee on
credentials reported on uncontested
delegations and asked to consider three
contests. The request was granted
The report states in conclusion: I'm
presenting this report your committee
takes pleasure in reporting that we
have had placed before us the creden-
tials of David Holmes and John Burns.
representing the trades unions of Great
Britain and it affords us unbounded
pleasure to recommend to the conven-
ton the seating of these delegates
from over the ocean and the granting to
them of the full privileges Of the con-
ton.
The president then delivered his an
nual repore.
President Gomper's annual report
contains nearly 5000 words. He COM
plimented the organization upon being
able to preserve its existence during
the recent adverse circumstances. Re
ferring to the coal miners strike, he
said 125,000 men were out for eight
weeks and yet there was hardly
dearth of coal. Considering this the
establishment of a minimum rate of
wages was a victory. He defended the
action of the federation in regard to
the American Railway union strike by
the assertion that Mr.. DebS' PROPOSE
tion submitted to them was a virtual
acknowledgement that the strike was
a failure. President Cleveland's action
at that time was severely condemned.
IMMIGRATION.
The honest effort of the government
to regulate immigration was acknowl-
edged, but amendments to the 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 telephone service will
soon be established in connection with
the postal department and unions
among government employees recon-
mended as an aid to the movement.
American seamen were claimed to be
the worst treated of any civilized ma
ton. The bills in their interest. and
also for the protection of the cigar
makers, he said, would have passed the
last session of congress but for the pre-
judicial effect of the railroad strike.
The establishment of national labor
day was referred to as the only sun
beam that la Dor received from the last
session of congress.
The convention was asked to endorse
the Phillips bill for the creation of an
industrial commission. Copies of the
bill were distributed.
The efforts of the officers of the fed
Grafton in behalf of free coinage of
silver were mentioned. and better un-
derstanding on 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
recommended.
INDEPENDENT.
Speaking of the program submitted
by the convention to the affiliated
unions for discussion, Mr.. Gompers
strongly opposed any movement look
ing to independent political action by
organized labor at present Results Of
local attempts in this line were cited to
show the disastrous effects
A serious strain upon labor organiza-
tions was predicted for the coming
winter. but the speaker added: I'm
less every indication is Incorrect, and
cause and effect lose their logical
sequence. 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
opportune for the inauguration of a
vigorous demand for an eight hour
day. and for law prohibiting contract
work on government improvements
The proposition 10 establish compul-
sorry arbitration was denounced and the
charge made that designing persons
were advocating il as a means OF de-
stroying labor organizations. Many
persons. including congressman, had
written to him on the subject, he said,
and il was obvious TO him that there
was danger OF some such law bieng
enacted.
1T is generally accepted" he sad,
that in the Considera ton of the lueS-
ton Of compulsory arbitration, there Is
one means by which an award against
labor could be nforced but that the i'm
position OF those conditions would be
tantimount to chattel slavery, hence
the alternative proposition 10 make the
organizations and the funds Of the or
ganizations attachable for the failure
of any workman to abide by a decision
which may be awarded against US, or
in the absence OF such funds. compel
the placing OF a bond by the trade union
for the enforcement OF such an award
COMPULSORY ARBITRATION
Il beg TO submit that IN few, II any,
instances would awards be rendered
against the trades unions, when the
trade would be thoroughly organized.