Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1895-12-14

mittee asked further time. The report
the committees, after which he read his
annual report, as follows:
while there has been and is now ma
terial improvement in trade conditions, as
compared to those of the previous two and
one-half years, yet the Improvement has
not been as pronounced as press reports
would lead us to believe, and, such as 1t
was, beneficial as II has been, 1t did not
relieve the strain upon the American Fed
Grafton of Labor until late in the year.
This, because nearly all afflicted organiza-
tions had created obligations, during the
continued industrial depression, that had
to be discharged before their obligations
to us could be met
Regardless of the many advantages
under which the Federation labored dur
ing the year, such progress was made in
our work that am able to congratulate
you upon the fact that both numerically
and financially the American Federation
Is stronger to-day than 1t was at the end of
1894. and to assure you that the prospects
for the future are full of promise for the
success of the trade union movement.
'"rhe year 1895 has been noted for the
large number of small, or local. rather
than large. prolonged strikes The most
stubbornly contested strikes were those
of, the garment workers in eastern cities.
and while, In each case, the workers did
not secure all they demanded and were
entitled to- they resulted In gains of such
a beneficial character that every member
of the craft should take pride in sustaining
their national union, which originated the
demands. inaugurated and successfully
conducted the fight for improved condi-
tons. The largest and longest strike of
the year was that of the coal miners in
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana. West Vir-
ginia and Virginia. The settlements made,
while giving higher prices to mine laborers.
did not give the satisfaction and security
that the strikers wanted, and. because of
this the year has been one of agitation and
uncertainty In mining districts. The Of
flcials OF the United Mine Workers have
had hard years work and II now looks
as though their efforts to bring order out
of chaos would be rewarded by not only
securing higher wages, but by wiping out
of existence the company, or as II as better
known, the truck store systemic system
by which mine workers have been shame
fully robbed.
"The passage of the Mcclure bill by con-
Rress afforded some relief to seamen, but
not all that they required. / would advise
that your efforts in their behalf be- contin-
ued until the laws of our country arc SC
strengthened that they will guarantee pro-
man that sails under our flag. The Phil.
lips bill, providing for commission to
Inquire into and report upon the legisla-
ton needed by labor, did not become law
pul us authoI, MI HhipS' h"S psSf =
elected and will endeavor to secure Its pas
sage at the present session of congress
and steps should be taken by this conven'
tion to aid him in his Efforts"
1.-THE greatest crime of the nineteenth
century. and the most remaik kable ever
perpetrated upon our people. was thai
committed by the present national admin
istration In adding to the bonded indebt
edness of our country during a time o.
peace. The attempt to maintain a golt
reserve of 500, 900 by a contract sucl
as was made with the Belmont Morgan
syndicate. was farcical to say the least
hut farce only In so far as 1t waS In
tended to blind the people to the fact tina
they were being robbed. deliberately ant
numerically, in the interests OF eastern
bankers and bondholders. whose only de
sire has been and now 10 the perpet tuatiol