The record-union., 1896-12-21
FEDERATION OF LABOR.
NO SESSION, BUT OFFICERS
WORK FOR UNIONISM.
President GOmpers Addresses Large
Audience, Urging the Benefits
Derived From II.

CINCINNATI, Dec. 20-Although
there was no session of the sixteenth
annual convention of the American
Federation OF Labor to-day, many of
the officers and delegates of the organi-
Zation We're active in the cause to which
they are devoted-the advancement of
trades unionism.
President Samuel Gompers addressed
a large audience at 3 o'clock this after
noon in the NJ. E. Church, his subject
being the Rough Struggle of a Rugged
Life" During the course of his remarks
Mr.. Gompers reviewed the progress of
the labor movement, especially in the
United States. He painted in glowing
words picture of the almost innumer-
able obstacles and discouragements
that have been met and overcome in the
heroic struggle of the working classes
to bring about condition that would
insure to themselves a just and fair
proportion of the earnings of their
labor, and told of what 1t is hoped will
yet be accomplished through the work
and influence of trades unionism.
The advantages of organization We're
dwelt on at considerable length, and it
was pointed out that the benefits to be
gained are not for the wage earners
alone, because as the condition of labor
is improved, SO is society, and citizen
ship raised to "a higher standard. The
manner in which national and inter-
national organizations undertake to
bring about an adjustment of differ
ences between employers and local Ia
Ivnr fn pjX tn eli Ia in,
the controversy its just dues, to pre-
vent lockouts, strikes, etc. was explained
and the necessity of a universal eight
hour work day strongly urged. Give to
the great army of labor a work day of
eight hours, compensation that will en-
able the industrious to have homes, rea-
sonable comforts in their homes, the
full advantages of schools, week day
and Sunday schools and churches for
their families, and you will have in this
country the highest standard of society
and citizenship ever attained in this
world. The Bible, said Mr.. Gompers,
both the Old and the New Testaments,
are full of doctrines we preach
He spoke for an hour and thirty min
utes, holding the closest attention of his
audience throughout, and closed with
an appeal to the ministry and all Chris
tian people to aid the cause of labor
by their influence and in whatever
manner it is possible for them to do so.
A mass meeting of bakers, organized
and unorganiZed, was held this morning
at 8 O'Clock. The speakers We're Presl-
dent Gompers, Delegate Henry W.
Weismann Charles F. Bechtold and
w d. Mahon. Delegate Weisman has
been active among the bakers during
the convention, has organized three
nom union bakeries, and tonight said
that he had reason for believing that
every bakery in the city would be or
ganized before the close of this week
At , O'Clock a mass meeting of car
penters, which was largely attended
and at which there were many nom
union men, was held in Workmen's
Hall and addressed by First Vice
President Mcclure, Samuel Yarnell of
the United Brotherhood of Carpenters
and Joiners.' and Richard Cullinane of
Lawrence. Mass, Central Labor Union.
The three most important matters to
come before the convention tomorrow
are the Olney arbitration bill, resolu-
ton on immigration and a resolution in
tended to commit the American Fedora
ton of Labor to the socialist labor
cause.
The question of the refusal of recog-
milton of the credentials of Delegate
Pomeroy of Chicago is also expected to
come up.