The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-15
AmericanFederatiOn Meets
at Cincinnati.
President Gompers Presents
His Annual Report.
An Increase in Membership During
Past Year Was Shown.

safes out Oh lzo. MOST or the others mad
feiled TO present their credentials to the
COMMITTEES. but there was some bitter
contests. Word and Madison OF England
and Vijourouz of France were seated,
with all the privileges Of the American
delegates
When the convention was permanently
organized, the partial report Of the COM
mittee on credentials was adopted. The
resolution boycotting non-union news
papers and refusing them representation
In the convention was adopted without
reference. ]. +. O'Sullivan Of Boston
was the only one asking To be recorded
In the negative.
President Gompers appointed the usual
IL standing committees. and then pre-
ssnted his annual report, IN part, as fol-
lows:
The wrongs Of the workers have not
yet been obliterated nor their rights at
tained. The myriads OF the toilers OF our
country observe. with a quickened and
most acute sense, the burdens they
have 10 bear. Notwithstanding the
marvellous progress which should tighten
them. We soc our country blossoming
forth Ike rose, through our handi-
work
BY all the memories which binds us TO
the heroic sacrifices OF past struggles Of
the lowly, by the recognition Of the bat
ties fought and won and the wounds re-
ceived In the battles OF our day. by the
nobility OF our purposes. the freedom
for which we strive for all, success Is az
sure as that night follows day and the
day follows night.
In the matter of legislation by con-
gress only fair progress can be repoted.
There are too few members OF congress
VINO are elected upon distinctive labor
issues or committed to labor interests,
hence the members of congress imagine
that the special interests OF labor have
small need to be considered.
In the matter of legislation In the sew
erai states much better progresshas been
reported. There are few states in which
laws have not been passed in the inter-
est Of labor Under the police authority
ofseverai states many measures looking
TO the preservation Of health, life and
limb of the workers; better sanitary
conditions of factory and workshop.
allen and factory laws have been en-
acted. Nearly all the states now have
bureaus, OF labor statistics or factory
inspectors In nearly every instance the !
officers required TO carry, out these laws
have been appointed from the ranks OF
labor.
Iwould recommend that the represent |
etives Of this fedora ton be constantly az |
the seat of the government during the |
sessions of congress to guard and fur
ther the legislation which our organiza-
ton demands in the interests OF labor.
The present year has witnessed little
Improvement over the two preceding
years. While industry and commerce
has just about emerged from the pancs
of 1850 the changes or improvements
have been very meagre. There has not
. been that industrial revival looked and
hoped for, and which we had right to
anticipate after the crisis through which
we have passed
BY dint OF energy and perseverance a
very large increase in the membership
OF our general movement has resulted.
In round numbers, nearly 100000 more
workers are members OF the unions af-
fliated than was the case a year ago.
The report OF the secretary shows that
.O1 charters were issued to local unions.
as against III in 1895; that IL interna-
tional trades unions have become af-
filiated by charter with the American
Federation of Labor, and also % Central
Labor bodies. This does not include the
new locals.
One of the stereotyped arguments which
are urged against the trades unions most
often is that strikes are old and effete
weapons, that they have lost their power
TO secure permanent or even temporary
advantages. As a matter OF fact, no one
who has devoted thought to our move-
ment but VIII endeavor by every means
within his power to prevent the inaug-
uration Of strikes or take such measures
oc xvfl l,rip he 49, |
minimum.
But to assert that strikes are inef-
fective, is TO assert that which has no
foundation in fact In the very nature
OF our being, we are determined, as we
are justly entitled, TO demand n larger
share i'm the product OF our labor. We
want peace, but we shall insist that
peace be maintained consistent with the
of our orders and those de-
upon them. We organize, and
the better we are prepared To enter into
strikes. the less occasion will we have
To resort TO them In order to insure sue
cess In securing Justice TO labor The
unions formed by our organizers I'm CO.
lumbus have for frne been diverted
from their purpose and turned into ma
chimes for theoretical political propa-
ganda. Beyond doubt few. IL any. viii
contend that the workers should refuse
b avail themselves OF their political
rights or fan to endeavor to secure such
demands as they make by the exercise
81 their political power. The fact Is
hat, however, our movement distinctly
draws the line between political action
n the intores, OF labor and party political
action. This was more particularly en-
1haszed at the last convention. when IL
vas declared as the settled policy OF the {
Nmerican trades union movement that
Darty political action OF whatever kind {
shall have no place In the convention
u the American Federation of Labor
AS per instructions. the executives ,
'arly set to work for the purpose of se- ,
urlng some concossions for an eight ,
lOur workday a number OF unions /,
Iadc INC denT1ud, and in many instances !
ecured II by strikes. "A much larger I
lumber. however. had the reduction con- ;
ndqd Ia them vi lOt1f Qyor1 ffo ,,ocsgett.. 4 !.