The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-11
AND CAPITAL NOT ENOUGH.
Gompers Opposes Compulsory
Arbitration.
RISKS THAT WOULD BE RUN.
While After All There Would BE at
Best but a Questionable
Gain.

uual convention of the American Fedora
ton OF Labor was called to order by Presi-
dent Gompers at 10 O'Clock to-day. There
were 125 delegates present. President
Rhody Kenehan Of the Denver Trades AS
sembly delivered the address of welcom Q,
to which Gompers briefly responded.
Gompers spoke feelingiy of the almost des-
rerate condition OF labor at the present
time. Referring to the innovation of hold
ing this convention so far west as Denver,
he suggested that within decade the
westward movement of industry might
take conventions of the federation TO the
Golden Gate.
John Burns. the English labor leader,
entered the hall and was greeted with a
storm of applause.
Thomas FL. Patterson of Denver deliv-
cred an address on ''Labor's Rough and
Noble Struggle" His delineation OF in
dustrial conditions, past and present, was
received with frequent applause. One of
the changes in the situation from
the past he attributed to an increase of
corporations. He said, while the in
dividual employer might feel sympathy
for his employe, corporation could
entertain no such emotion. The action
of the Federal Government in the Pull
man strike was denounced as tyranny.
The General Managers Association
should have been held responsible for the
delays of the mails. Capital controlled
legislation, either by influen cling elections
or by purchasing mem bers cf the National
and State Legislatures. The convention
adjourned till o'clock.
When the convention came to order for
the afternoon session the committee on
credentials reported on contested deega-
tions and asked time to consider the con-
tests. The request was granted. The re-
port states in conclusion: 'In presenting
This report your committee takes pleasure
IN reporting that we have had placed be-
fore us the credentials of David Holmes
and John Burns, representing the trades
unions. of Great Britain, aud it affords US
un bounded pleasure to recommend TO the
convention the seating of these delegates
from over the ocean and granting TO them
full privileges of the convention"
President Gompers' annual report, which
was submitted to the convention this aft
ernoon, contains nearly 5000 words. He
complimented the organization upon being
able to preserve Its existence during the
recent adverse circumstances. Referring
tn the coaI-miners' strike he said that
125. 600 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 victory.
He defended the action of the federation
in regard to the A. r. U. strike by the
assertion that Mr.. Debs' proposition SUBJ
mtied to them was a virtual acknowl-
nj fhat etriEn M foil
President Cleveand's action at the time
was severely condemned. The honest eff
fort of the Government to regulate imml-
grafton was acknowledged, but amend
ments to the laws were suggested, the
most important of which were speedy
trials Of immigrants suspected of being un-
der contract and the sending of agents to
foreign countries to inspect prospective
immigrants.
Hope was expressed that Government
telegraph and telephone service would
soon be established in connection with the
postal department. ana unions among
Government employees were recommended
al 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 cigar-makers.
he said, would have passed the last session
of Congress but for the prejudicial effect
of the railroad strike. The establishment
of national labor day was referred to as
the only sun beam labor received from the
last session of Congress. The convention
was asked to indorse the Phillips bill for
the creation of an industrial com miss sion.
Copies of the bill were distributed. The
efforts of the officers of the federation in
behalf of free coinage of silver were men.
toned, and better understanding of 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.
Speaking OF the programme submitted
by the last convention TO the affiliated
unions for discussion Mr.. Gompers
stongly opposed any movement looking to
independent political action by organized
labor at present. Results of local attempts
in this line were cited to show the disas-
trous effects. A serious strain upon labor
organizations was predicted for the COM
ing winter, but the speaker adds: .Un-
less every indication is incorrect, and
cause and effect lose their logical Sc
quence, we are within year of an
industrial revival which in activity and in
tensity will far surpass that of any pre-
vious period"
The present time was suggested as op-
perfume for the Inauguration of vigorous
demand for an eight-hour day. and for a
law prohibiting contract work on Goyrn-
ment improvements.
The proposition to establish compul sory
arbitration was denounced and the charge
made that designing persons were adyo
eating it as means of destroying labor
organizations. Many persons, including
Congressman, had written to him on the
subject. he said. and it was obvious to him
that there was danger of some such law
being enacted.
ut is generally accepted" said he,
''that in the consideration of the question
of compulsory arbitration, there is one
means by which an award against labor
could be enforced but that the imoositinn