Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-12-15
TIE AMERICAN FEDERATION.
The Annual Convention Opened at Gin
cinnati Yesterday.

President Gompers and Other OFF,
GERS Present Their Addresses and
Reports-All Referred to Com
mittees-DeleGates Present From
England and France-Many Con-
tests to be Decided by the Gre
dentials Committee-Gompers to
Occupy a Pulpit, Sunday-Sever-
al Delegates Robbed.
Cincinnati, O., December 1.-THE
18th annual convention of the Fedora
ton OF Labor was called TO order here
at 10 a. N. to-day by President Samuel
Gompers. About $50 delegates were
present and many visitors. Martin
Fox, president OF the iron Moulders'
Union of North America. had been Sc
lected by the labor organizations of
Cincinnati to deliver the address OF well
come. Owing to the death of his moth
er Mr.. Fox was not present and his ad-
dress was read by e. J. Denny. In the
welcoming address more effective ac-
tion for the eight hour law and other
reforms were recommended. Special
greetings were extended delegates
Samuel Woods and John Mallinson. OF
England. and Louis Vigouroux. OF
France, who were seated with Secretary
McGraith and Assistant Secretary Mar
tin Walters, on the stage. President
GOmpers, in responding 10 the address
of welcome referred TO attacks on the
organization because IL was merely a
federation and not a more compact
union. He showed how the fullest
scope was given 10 individual opinions
and rights in the American Federation
OF Labor and thus the afiliation of
dineren labor organizations Yves pos
sible in one general federation. He ap-
pealed for continued efforts for the cul-
tivation of public opinion as well as for
favorable legislation and for the most
earnest cooperation of all labor or
CARNATIONS. After the appointment Of
the committee on credentials and Off
GERS Of the convention, a recess wax
taken until 2:30 D. m, awaiting the
report on credentials
At their hotel last night President
Gompers and John Phillips were rob-
bed of $50 each Wood and Madison.
English delegates, were robbed OF cash
and jewelry and several delegates Of
other articls.
Owing TO the contests heard in the
Committee on Credentials. the conven-
ton did not resume session until
p. m, instead OF p. m. The earlier
part or the afternoon was depOrted to
the informal consideration of a reso-
luton TO exclude from the convention
all representatives OF non-union news
papers. When the convention was
permanently organized. after the par
tial report OF the Committee on Gre
dentials was adopted the resolution
boycotting nOn-union newspapers and
refusing them representation in the
convention was adopted without refer
ence. Mr.. J. +. O'Sulliyan, of Boston.
was the only one asking to be recorded
in the negative.
The Committee on Credentials made
a partial report, seating 11S delegates
out Of 125. Most of the others had
failed TO present their credentials to
the committee, but there were some
bitter contests. Wood and Madison. OF
England, and Vijourouz, Of France.
were seated with all the privileges Of
the American delegates
The seat Of William G. POmeroy. OF
Chicago. president of the National HO-
tel Walters Association. was contested
by e. o. Woodbury., Of Chicago, on the
charge that PomerOy owed the Illinois
State Federation of Labor S3SS.
PomerOy in turn contested Wood
bury's seat. Woodbury. also contested
the seat of a. +. Vorkeller. Of Chicago,
delegate Of the bricklayers. The COM
mittee reported only on uncOntested
seats. and has not yet reported on the
contests. The partial report on cre-
dentials was unanimously adopted.
James II. Payne. representing the box
makers, is attempting 10 secure a char
ter and Thomas J. Kidd. of the Anal
gamated Woodworkers, is protesting.
President Gompers appointed the
usual standing committees.
President Samuel Gomplrs then pre-
sented his annual report and the diff
ferent recommendations were referred
TO the appropriate committees.
Rev J. w. Magruder. pastor OF Wes-
ley Chapel, was present and invited
President Gompers 10 occupy his pull
pit next Sunday afternoon. President
GOmpers accepted the invitation, and
announced that he would peak on "A
Rough Sketch of Rugged Struggle"
Secretary McGraith reported that
the receipts for the year showed an
increase of Is per cent. over last year,
while the balance on hand is % per
cent. greater. The membership was
increased 68.2S2 during the year, and
heavy appropriations were met for
strikes and other purposes in the in
terest of the Federation.
Treasurer Lennon reported receipts
S19.62t. expenses $15.i5f, balance on
hand $4.169
The Executive Council submitted an
elaborate report on its detailed work
during the year, in which it referred
to the detailed statement OF strikes
and other efforts. of which Secretary
McGraith gave an elaborate history in
his annual report All the reports
were referred to the appropriate COM
mittees Adjourned until lO o'clock to-
omrrow morning.
All the delegates were the guests Oh
the Grand Opera House tonight.
RAILROAD MEETINGS.
The Wheeling passenger agents as
sociaticn held a meeting yesterday
afternoon. and transacted no business
of Dublic imDOrtauce.