Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-05

legitimate means to onset any movement
the labor army.
A financial system was established and
thirteen measures were adopted of polfti-
cal character. u. They favored the compul-
sorry education of children, the abolition of
child labor, the passage of uniform ab-
prentice laws, the enforcement Of the eight
hour rule, the restriction Of contract prison
labor and the abandonment of the store
In the interim Until the next convention
the legislative committee of the federation
set to work and secured several hearings
before committees of the Senate and House
OF Representatives, which resulted In the
appointment of a special committee. of
which Senator H. w. Blair of New Hamp-
shire was chairman, to make thorough
investigation OF the labor question.
On all the various subjects recommended
by the organization bills were introduced
by the Federation and placed in the hands
of prominent Congressman for enactment
From the entire nun her the passage of
law requiring the formation of a national
bureau of labor statistics and of a law pre-
venting the importa ton of contract labor
were finally secured in 1883
Gompcrs Elected President.
The second convention of the Federation
was held in Cleveland, Ohio, November p,
1882, whe1. Samuel Gompers was elected
permal ent president and William H. Eos
ter permanent secretary. Fearing that
some disaster might overtake this organi-
zation as had been the fate of its prede-
cessors. a manifesto was issued to the SUBJ
ordinate unions. discounteEarcing political
action, on the ground that the Federation
had been orgal lied as a purely Industrial
body.
Friction between the Federation and
Knights of Labor had already become seri
GUS and irritating The next convention.
that of 1883. was held in New York August
p. Samuel GomperS was reelected preSi-
\ Nv,{ 4 t.
chosen secretary and arbitration was ia
vored instead of strikes The eight-hour
rule was Insisted upon. and laws were de-
manded to limit the dividends of corpora
tons and to introduce governmental tele-
graph system.
The next convention was held in Chicago,
beginning October Z, 1854. Steps were taken
for a universal agitation in behalf Of the
eight-hour system, and May ], 1885, was
fixed upon as the date for the general in
auguration of the plan. The question was
submitted to each local organization rep
resented for action. Among the organiza-
tenn were the cigar makers, the furniture
workers, the German printers and the car
penters. AS will be remembered. the cigar
makers and the German printers succeed
ed in establishing eight hours in seven
cities. and compromised on nine hours in
eightyfour cities.
At the convention of 1885, held in Wash
ington, beginning December 8. attention
was principally directed to strengthening
the national organization and preparing for
the eight-hour work day.
The Trouble of 1856.
The convention of 1856 was originally
called to meet in st. Louis. in the latter
part of the year, but the stirring events
incident to the eght-hour strikes and the
difficulties existing with the Knights Of
Labor. led to the memorable conference of
the offlo ers of the trades unions at DON
aldsons Hall, New York. May 49, where
measures were outlined to protect the
trades unions and to secure harmony with
the Knights of Labor committee at
tended the special session of the Knights
general assembly at Cleveland. May %. and
after several days of discussion in the gen.
eral assembly no definite action was taken.
The trades union committee met the
Knights of Labor executive board at Phila-
delpha. September 26. and discussed the
situation. u"
American Federation Organized.
The call for the st. Louis convention OF
the Federation was then abrogated, and a
call was issued. designating Columbus O.,
as the place Of meeting, on December 8. At
the same tine all organizations not already
affiliated with the Federation were urged to
attend trades union convention. to be held
il the same place on the following day.
After four days joint sessions of the bodies
the old Federation of Trades and Labor
Unions was dissolved and the American
Federation of Labor was born.
Twenty-Five national ORGANIZATIONS were
blended in it. with an aggregate member
ship of BIG. 46, workingmen. A plan of per-
manent organization was adopted. very
simple in its details, and an executive coun-
Gil of five members and chief officers
elected. Resolutions were passed favoring
the early adoption Of the eight-hour rule,
demanding of Congress the passage of a
compulsory indenture law, and condemn
ing the Pinkerton's preventive patrol and
the coal and iron police. After much de-
liberation a constitution was agreed upon,
in which the main objects of the organ
iZation were stated to be "the encour-
agement of formation Of local unions and
the closer federation of such societies,
through central trade and labor unions in
every city, with the further combination of
these bodies into state, territorial and pro-
v!ncial organizations to secure legislation in
the interests Of the working masses; the
establishment of national and International
trades unions, based upon strict recogni-
ton of the autonomy of each trade, and the
promotion and advancement of such bodies,
and the aiding and encouragement of the
labor press of America"
The revenue Of the Federation Is derived
from per capita tax of one-quarter of a
cent per month for each member in good
standing.
The American Federation of Labor has
now in the aggregate at least 100000 mem
bers.