Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1896-12-19

successful In every instance IN winch IlloS
have been fairly tried and although we
NAV all desire to secure the purposes III
which we are organized through oIhol
methods that should not deter US from
Drrsuing the course which all experience
demonstrates is conducive to the best re-
suits.
1.-THE workers Of our country need I'M
mediate relief immediate improvements
They can not afford to wait until the
millennium shall come, and In the mean
time suffer the wrongs which exist, more
especially when the opportunity OF secur-
ing that relief Is at hand. We may not
always be favoraby impressed with the
means by which that relief Is obtained
hut that it must be secured, that 1t Is
necessary and essential to our well De-
ing and progress, should be sufficient IN
centive to seek it on such lines and by
such methods as promise and assure sue
cess"
Reference was made to the fact that
when Utah was admitted into the Union
a clause in the constitution authorized
the legislature to limit the hours Of Ia
Dor to eight per day. The legislature
complied The mine owners were con-
victed of violating the law, failed In an
appeal to the supreme court of the state
and have now taken the case to the Unit
ed States supreme court. President
Gompers recommended that the fedora"
ton render financial assistance for the
employment of competent attorneys.
The Industrial Situation.
On the Industrial situation the president
said:
THE present year has witnessed little
Improvement over the two preceding
years. While industry and commerce
have just about emerged from the panics
Of 1885, the changes or improvements
have been very meager. There has not
been that industrial revival looked and
hoped for, and which we had a right to
Anticipate after the crisis through which
we have passed. That our panic was not
more acute and did not do more harm
than it did, is due more to our move
ment than to all other elements and
forces combined Industrial crises and
stagnation result from many causes, but
particularly from the lack Of opportun
ity of the workers to consume more large
II of the product of their labor A re-
duction in wages means a lesser consump-
ton of these products, thus rendering the
labor of other workers unnecessary and
throwing them out of employment. The
crisis becomes intensified and prolonged.
Whatever else the enemies of our move
ment may urge against it, none can dis
pute that the organizations of labor have
very largely, if not entirely, prevented
d great reduction in wages which would
Rave otherwise taken place. Hence, the
world owes to the trades union move
ment a debt Of gratitude which 1t can
never repay, for the miseries it has pre-
vented and the opportunity that it pre-
sents for the natural and gradual prog
rcss Of industrial, social and moral intlu-
ences."
There was loud applause when the an
nouncement was made that the unions
affiliated with the federation had gained
in round numbers over 100000 members
during the year. In dealing with this sub
jcct the president said:
I'm the case of the Brotherhood of Lo
cCmotive Firemen, the utilization of that
organization would be cOnsummated at
this time were it not for the fact that
there is some feeling manifested by its
members upon the question of striking
the color line out of their constitution
The officers of the brotherhood state that
the members have good grounds for com
plant against the cheap labor OF the col
ored man, who is always utilized to de
feat the aims of the brotherhood. The
answer was made that this Is all the
81 eater reason why the advantages OF
organization should be extended to the
colored man, in order that he may not
longer be so utilized to antagonize our
interests"
President Gompers touched st length
upon strikes and their effectiveness, JUS
titled the officers of the federation In hold
ing aloof from the recent political cam
paign, urged renewed agitation of the
elght-hour movement and new cam
raign for the organization of textile m