The Helena independent., 1894-12-11
LABOR FEDERATION.
Fourteenth Annual Convention OF the Amer
iean Federation Of Labor In Session
at Donyor.
"LAsoFs ROUGH, NOBLE STRUGGLE"
President compers' Report Long and
Covered Multitude Of subIects..No
Compulsory Arbitration.

"
There were i25 delegates present. Prosi-
dent Rhody <enchan. OF the Denver
Trades assembly, delivered An address
OF welcome to which Gompers briefly
responded. GomperB spoke feellngly OF
the almost desperate condition OF labor
at the present time. Referring 10 the
innovation " holding this convention
80 far west as Denver. he suggested that
within u decade the westward move
ment Of Industry might take the con-
yentlons OF the federation 10 the Golden
Gate
John Burns the English labor leader.
entered the hall and was greeted with
storm Of applause.
Thomas NJ. Patterson, OF Denver, de-
livered an address on "Lab0rs Rough
and Noble Struggle. Ills dellneati0n of
Industrial conditions, past aud present,
was received with frequent applause
one of the changes IN the situation
fr0m the past he attributed to the In
crease OF corporations. He said while
the Individual proper might feel SYN.
pathy for his employe. the corporation
could entertain no such a notion. The
Pullman strike was denounced as ty-
ranny. The General Managers associ-
ation he said, should have been held
responsible for delays of the mails. Cap
ital controlled legislation, either by in
fiuenolng the elections or by purchasing
members OF national and state legisla-
lures.
President Gompers' annual report,
submitted this afternoon, contains
nearly 5000 words He complimented
the organization upon being able to
preserve its existence during recent
adverse circumstances. Referring To
the coal miners strike, he said 700
men were out for eight weeks. and yet
there was hardly dearth of coal. Con-
siderlng this, the establishment OF n
minimum rate Of wages was victory.
He defended the action Of the feder-
alton In regard 10 the A. II. II. strike
by the assertion that Debs' proposition,
submitted 10 them, was virtual
Acknowledgement that the strike was
a failure. President Cleveland's action
at that time was severely condemned
The honest efforts OF the government
to regulate emigration was acknowl-
edged, but amendments to the laws
We're suggested, most important OF
which Were speedy trials OF immigrants
suspected OF being under contract, and
the sending OF agents 10 foreign coun-
tries 10 inspect prospective immigrants,
The hope was expressed that the gov
ernment telegraph and telephone serv-
ice will be established In connection
with the postal department. and unions
among government employees were
recommended as an aid TO the move
ment.
American seamen were claimed TO be
4 la tod of Of M al
ICED nation. Bills I'm their interest. and
also for the protection of cigarmakers.
he said. would have passed the last
session of congress but for the preju-
dicial effect of the railroad strike. The
establishment of n national labor day
was referred to as the only sunbeam
labor had received from the last ses-
sion Of congress.
The convention was asked TO indorse
Phillips bill for the creation of an in
dustrial commission. Copies OF the bill
were distributed The efforts OF the
officers OF the federation in behalf of
the free coinage of silver were mem
toned and better understanding OF
the subject by laboring men generally
was reported. The matter OF the pro-
posed semi-annual conferences with
the n. OF l.. was referred to the con-
vention, but union with that organiza-
tion was not recommended.
Speaking of the programme sub
mltted by the last convention to afllll-
ate unions for discussion, Mr.. Gompers
strongly opposed any movement look
ing 20 Independent political action by
organized labor AT present The results
Of local attempts In this line were cited
To show disastrous effects. A serious
strain upon labor organi2a tions was
predicted for the coming winter but the
speaker added: Unless every indca-
tion is Incorrect, and cause and effect
lose their logical sequence. we are with
In year or an Industrial revival which.
In activity and Intensity Will far sur
pass that of any previous period"
The present time was suggested as
opportune for the Inauguration OF
vigorous demand for an eight-hour day.
and for law prohibiting contract work
on government improvements. The
proposition To- establish compulsory ar
bitration was denounced, aud the
charge made that designing persons
were advocating II az means OF de-
stroying labor organizations. Many
persons, Including congressman, had
written Ia him on the subject. he said.
and 10 was obvious 10 him that there
was danger of some such law being
enacted
1T is generally accepted" said he.
that In the consideration ~ the quVs-
tinn of compulsory arbitration there II
one means by which an award against
labor could be iniurccd. but the imposi-
tlun of those conditions would hc tam
tnmount 10 chattol slavery hence the
alternative proposition to make organ
izations ana the funds of organizations
nttachahle for the failure of any work
man to abide by the decision which may
be- awarded against ny, or la the alb
sencc Of such funds, compel the plac-
Ing " a bond by u trade union for the
enforcement Of such an award
II beg Ia submit that In few, n any.
instances would awards be rendered
against trades unions when the trade
would hr thoroughly organized hut dur
ing the period OF organization, or
through unauthorized h0sty action of
mcmber. the entire upion could he
placed In peril lts future and its ciii-
cncy destroyed and workers placed At
the tCnder mercins of their employers
The first step must be- organization |
the second Cancellation, the next pos
ably arhitlVtlon. hut compulsory arhi |
trn rntlon-ncvcr Tho successful media !
tiop " the general officers In number
of disputes between wOrkingmen and |
employers were reported and the state |
mcnt made that labor must conquer a |
right Co be heard IN all cases With |
this right, many strikes ana lockouts |
might be nvcrtcd
Gamncra asked that more assistance
be allowed the president of the fcdern. |
tion In his duties as editor of the official |
organ of the organization. A cordial /
greeting was given Nc English dele.
gates. and much benefit was predicted |
from closcr afnnntion with wage earn
crp across the waters. Higher dues for
various unions were suggested as a