The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-15
Delegates from Great Britain md
France Permitted to Participate
I'm All the Proceedings.
REPORTS MADE BY OFFICERS
SHOWING THE ORGANIZATION TO BE
INCREASING IN STRENGTH.
President Gompers on Trades Union-
ism and Politics. the Eight-HOur
Movement and other Matters.

CINCINNATI, Dec. 14.-The sixteenth an
nual convention of the American Fedora
ton Of Labor was called to order here at
10 a.. m. to-day by President SamuekGom-
pers. About 80 delegates were present and
many visitors. Martin Fox, president of
the Iron Molders' Union Of North Amer
lea, had been selected by the labor organ
iZations of Cincinnati to deliver the address
of welcome Owing to the death of his
mother Mr.. Fox was not present and his
address was read by Z. j. Denny. In the
welcoming address more effective action
for the eight-hour law and other reforms
We're recommended. Special greetings were
extended delegates Samuel Woods and
John Malllnson, of England, and Louis
Vigouroux, of France, who were seated
with Secretary McGrath and Assistant Sec
retary Martin Walters on the stage.
President Gompers in responding to the
address of welcome, referred to attacks on
the organization, because 1T was merely a
federation and not more compact union.
He showed how the fullest scope was CIV
en- to individual opinions and rights in the
American Federation of Labor and thus
the affiliation of different labor organiza-
tions was possible in one general fedora
tion. He appealed for continued efforts for
the cultivation of public opinion as we'll
as for favorable legislation and for the
most earnest cooperation of all labor or
ganizations. After the appointment of the
committee on credentials and officers of the
convention a recess was taken till 2:3Q p.
m. awaiting the report on credentials.
Owing to the contests heard in the COM
mittee on credentials, the convention did
not resume business until 4 p. m. instead
of 2 d. IN. The earlier part Of the after
noon was devoted to the informal consid-
Grafton of a resolution to exclude from the
convention all representatives OF non-
union newspapers. When the convention
was permanently organized, after the par
tial report Of the committee on credentials
was adopted, the resolution boycotting non
union newspapers and refusing them repre-
sentation in the convention was adopted
without reference. Mr.. j. +. O'Sullivan, Of
Boston, was the only one asking to be re-
corded in the negative.
The committee on credentials made par
tial report, seating lis 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 c. Pomeroy, or Chicago, president
of the National Hotel Walters Association.
contested by l.. o. Woodbury., or chi
cago on the charge that Pomeroy owed the
Illinois State Federation Of Labor $685.
Pomeroy claimed he would pay as soon as
pending litigation Is settled Pomeroy In
turn contested Woodbury's seat. Woodbury.
also contested the seat of A. h. korkeiler,
of Chicago. delegate of the bricklayers
The committee reported only on uncon-
tested seats and has not yet reported on
the contests. The partial report on Gre
dentials was unanimously adopted. Presi-
dent Gompers then appointed the usual
twelve standing committees.