Omaha daily bee., 1895-12-08
PRESIDENT M'BRIDE's VIEWS.

OF the organization
PRESIDENT MBRIDE'S VIEWS.
COLUMBUS O., Dec. 1.-The coming con
ven'ion of the American Federation OF Laboi
will last seven or eight days and 1t is eX
pacted will be the largest in the history OF
the organization. Returns from the smaller
unions show that they will be well repre-,
Bented that all the national and internationa
bodies will send delegates and that the cen
trail labor unions and state declarations vii
make a good showing Two delegates from
the trade unions Of England, Messrs. Cowei
and Maudsey, will also ba present,
The most important matter to come before
tho convention will be the plan for the gen
eral Introduction of the eight hour day. Al
the Denver convention last year 1t was Vo.e1
to make an attempt in this direction on May
l. 1896, and it is expected that some dennlte
plan will be mapped out by the New YORK
convention. The attempt to force the trade
unions into politics.. along Independent party
lines received a quietus at Denver and 1t is
not expected that similar movement Will be
pursued at New York. The officers OF the
organization consider the PAST year to have
been a trying one, as n whole owing to the
business depression During the past few
months however, there has besn great I'M
proven mt At the beginning of the year
strong efforts were put forth to better the
distressing condition OF the s2amen. COM
mittee, composed of A. Fuorseth OF the sea
men's union and A. Strasser Of the cigar
makers, was sent to Washington and they
finally succeeded in securing the passage OF
what was known as tha Mcguire bills, with
resulting great benefit.
No great strikes other than those OF the
garment workers have occurred during 1895,
The unions having bsen mostly engaged III
slrengthening and husbandlng their resources.
The iron modsrs have had some local strikes
and have made considerable gains IN wages.
The garment workers have been successful
in flye out Of six cities in which they have
struck for increased pay, the strike in Roch-
ester alone failing TO yield a victory, me
fedora IONS executive council has succeeded
In adjusting q numbsr CT difficulties ana sew
eral boycotts that have been running for
some months have been removed. concessions
favorable to the unions directly concerned
having been won in each case. International
Typographlcal union has been practically sue
cessful in securing prices and hours on the
on TO thirty battles during the past few
months. The miners have had considerable
difficulty in the course of the year, but have
finally settled matters without serious COM
plicatIons The following international unions
have becn chartered since the last conven-
ton: Lace curtain operators, potters. ma
chinlsts, tobacco workers, agents, granite
cutters, printing pressmen, boot and shoe
workers. besides 1fl local unions direct and
over 800 through tha national organizations
Central labor bodiss have been instituted in
Kansas, Maine Texas Ohio, DalSoa. Pcnnsyl-
yanla and Illinois. 1t Is estimated that be-
fore the year closes the total membership Of
the federation viii have ben increased by
about 100, 900.
Last summer two federation delegates at
tended the British Trade Union congress and
also visited number of European cities. in
yestgating the condition of labor there and
the progress Of the trade union movement.
These delegates will make their report at the
New York convention ana there is much
interest and speculGt on regarding its probable
aature.
A considerable sum of money was expended
nv the federation in the defense OF Eugene
Debs, although neither he nor his organlza-
lion is connected with the federation. Be
cause Of the manner in which Mr.. Debs was
convicted, without a jury trial, the fedora
tion has drawn up and viii submit to con-
gress a bill prohibiting Judges from passing
On violations Of law which are already covered
by statute, and strong effort will be made
10 enact this into law. Various legislative
matters, dealing with immigration and union
labels have he attended to during the year.
Ihe federation, It should be understood,
however, Is not opposed to the admission Of
foreign workmen; en- the contrary, a res1u-
ten was adopted at the last convention de-
clsrng general restriction unnecessary, rot
to say a violation OF natural rights. II is
with the "padroNe" ana Sweater" inn
migrants that the federation has fault TO
Hnd.
The finances OF the federation are in good
.ordiilon. JOHN M'BRIDE.
GROWTH or THE FEDERATION.
PHILADELPHIA. Dec 2.-prlor to the
ormation OF the American Federation Of