New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-11
A CONVENTION OF LABOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN
FEDERATION.
PRESIDENT COMPRESS REPORT DECLARES
AGAINST POLITICS IN iHE rRApEs-UNIoNs
YET AwHILE-THE BRITISH LABOR


AGAINST POLITICS IN iHE ADEsUNIoNs
YET AwHrLE-THE BRITISH LABOR
LEADERS WELCOMED.
Denver Dec 1O.-The American Federation OF
Labor convened in annual session this morning
in Odd Fellows Hall President Samuel Gompers
calling the delegates to order. Fully 100 repre-
sentatves of National tradesunions were present
Occupying seats of honor the platform were
John Burns VI. p, and David Holmes. NJ F.. rep
resentatives OF the United Trades-Unions OF Eng
land present upon invitation from the American
Federation. While not delegates to this congress.
the opinions OF these famous labor leaders vii!
be daily sought the deliberations go on. Rody
Kenehan president Of the Trades Assembly OF
Denver. made a short speech OF welcome extend
ing the courtesies OF the city. and promising a
programme OF entertainment in social functions
and mountain excursions President Gompers re-
piled to this with few words Of thanks.
Thomas Patterson, OF Denver, delivered an
address upon the subject "Labor's Rough but
Noble Struggle" and his address was succeeded by
speeches of a fraternal nature from the English
representatives.
President Gompers In his annual report con-
graduated his hearers that trades unions had con-
tnued to exist. in the face Of the distressing In
dustrial conditions OF the recent past and the
idleness and want of more than a million and a
half workers. He reviewed the miners strike. He
Sdlu the INDUSTRIAL StdBndtloH ToDDeu tHc
miners of victory. The speaker discussed the great
American Railway Union strike. which followed
the struggle of the miners. criticsing the Presi-
dent and the courts for their action toward the
trouble. Mr. Gompers defended the action OF the
Executive Council of the Federation of Labor In
not ndorsing or helping the American Railway
Union strike. or immigration, Mr. Gompers said in
part:
one OF the most efficient steps which. in my
judment should be taken to secure, the exclusion
to land in this country would be the appointment
Of special agents under the immigration Bureau.
and return per steerage. making covertly such in
quiries and Investigations as would lead to the
TE5sGton Of Of the n immigrants who came "
The best efforts of the immigration officials to en-
force the .aw are thwarted by many difficulties,
among which is the coaching of immigrants by
foreign ticket agents and officers OF steamship
lines. who instruct immigrants to the manner
In which they may evade official interrogations
The law should make such coaching a INSIDE
meanor.
Government ownership OF railroads. free coinage
of silver at l6 to l. the relief Of and other
labor legislation approved by the Federation were
touched upon briefly by the speaker. The confer
ence for union Of the Federation CT Labor and the
Knights Of Labor was referred to- OF the attempt
to achieve success through political activity Mr..
Gompers had this to
During the last year the trades-unions In many
localities plunged into the political arena by nomi,
1t may be to record. II is nevertheless true that
in each one Of these localities politically they We're
defeated and the trade-unOn movement more or
less divided and disrupted. what the results would
auspices Of the American Federation OF Labor. in
voivng 1t and all our affiliated organizations: IS TOO
p % Iii nor snccecd mon the
ruins Of the trades unions.
The speaker suggested that the convention take
action looking toward continuance Of the fight for
an elght-hour day. including the enactment Of a
law by the general Government and by the several
"a. pr,h he emp'OVmenr Of women ana
children In factories. chops. mills or mines for
longer period that eight hours day. In treating
Of compulsory arbitration Mr. Gompers said in part:
1t Is generally accepted that in the consideration
ora means by which an award against Iapor cou.u
be enforced but that the imposition o, t hnc cG b
alternative propGsion 10 max tne SSr the
failure Of any workman TO ABIDE by decision
which may be awarded against Us, or IN tne an
the trade-unon for the enforcement OF such an
I beg to submit that IN few II sny in~tances would
awards be- rendered against the trades-unions when
the trade would be- thoroughly organzed but DUR
ng the period OF organization, or through an unau-
thorzed hlsty action Of "A member, the entire union
could be- placed In peril, its future ana ~ eilcaey
destroyed and the workers placed at the tender
merccs OF their employers
Disputes between the workers and employers may
be generally adjusted by arbitration but II they are
1t Will only come when the workers are better or
gained: when their power ana their rights nane
received greater recognition. The nrst step must
b. organlzaton the second Cancellation. me next
IDLY. arbitration but compulsory arbitration
never
In closing the speaker warmly welcomed to the
convention the British delegates. John Burns and
David Holmes.
David Holmes I'm interview to-day siid; Il
nnl already I'm my hurried investigation OF the Ia
Dor movement in America that the working people
arr. very much behind OF Great Britain What
ia worse IL appears that fatuous spirit OF JeaI-
ousy exists among the leaders "t many oi you.
trades organizations | learned in New ork that
az soon as leader becomes prominent there
springs M rImors that such leader has been cor
rupted or bought over by politicians or other IN
terested parties. Envious mcn' seek 10 inJure you,
leaders hoping TO usurp their position In England
A leader has the following OF the people ne repre-
sents and he knows that they Will stand ny MN
throughout the strongest conflict 50 long AZ he does
nor forfeit their esteem. And We 10 NOT permit
prttv Internal factions II seems 10 he mere more
question Of scramble for position than for principle
our trades associations through years or Strussr
AMI honest work have acquired high position
where We recognized as valuable alds 10 the
countrv's prosperity one reason for our success
We suppress all political discussions or party meas
ures II party feeling We're 20 creep INTO our trades
unions they would be broken up In year am
sure you Americans cannot hope TO grow up uhuer
H. BE polite but not partisan
Mr. Burns IN talking OF The position the trades
ORGANIZATIONS occupy in public estimation. sald;
~ will be- one Of the objects Of This convention AT
least To see that I'm the free Republic or America
AMI judicial and legal fair play that they ought 10
have In a Land Of equal suffrage Irades-unohs
i'm England do not receive that INSCRIPTIONS OPP
position which appears In many quarters from
American monopoes
RAILWAY OFFICIAL ~ TROUBLE.
Chicago Dec. lO--H y. Judson superintendent