The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1894-12-11
MIR GO]IPERS REPOBT
To the Annual Convention of the
Federation Of Labor,
HOPEFUL FOR TIE NEAR FUTURE.
He Believes That We Are Within Year
OF an Industrial Revival Which win Far
surpass Any Previous Period-Opposing
Compulsory Arbitration.

OF an Industrial Revival Which win Far
surpass Any Previous Period-Opposing
Compulsory Arbitration.
DENVER Dec 1.-THE report Of Presi-
dent Gompors to the American Federation
Of Labor, referring to the coal miners
strike, says that $4,000 men were out for
eight weeks and yet there was hardly a
dearth Of coal Considering this, the es-
tablishmcnt of minimum rate of wages
was very great victory. He defended the
action Of the federation in regard TO the
American Railway union by the assertion
that Mr.. Dobs proposition submitted TO
the members a virtual acknowledgment
that the strike was failure. President
Clevelands 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-
gested, the most important of which was
speedy trials 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 preiu
dicial effect from the railroad strike. The
establishment of a national labor day was
referred to as the only sunbeam labor re-
ceived from the last session of congress.
The convention was asked to indOrse the
Phillips bill for the creation of an indus
trial commission The efforts of the of
ficers of the federation i'm behalf of free
coinage of silver We're mentioned and a
better understanding Of the subject by la
boring men generally was reported. The
matter of proposed semi-aunua confer.
encos with the Knights of Labor was re-
ferred to the convention, but O 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-
tion is incorrect we are within year Of
an industrial revival which in activity
and intensity will far surpass that of any
| previous period"
The present time was suggested as op-
perfume for the inaugura m of a vigor-
| Gus demand for an eight l. lay and for
law prohibiting CONTRACT TX on gov
ernment improvements. The proposition
to establish compulsory arbitration was
denounced and the charge made that de-
signing persons were advocating it as a
means of destroying labor organizations.
II beg to submit" said he, THAT in few,
| if 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
\ a member, the entire union could be placed
in peril, it's future and its efficacy des-
troyed, and the workers placed at the ten
| der mercies of their employers"
A letter was read from Carl Browne,
General COXey's lieutenant, in which
he congratulated the convention that il
had no Gatling aimed at it, and suggested
| that it pass a 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 ut - o'clock.