Evening star., 1896-04-09

sentation from Columbia Typographical
Union. No. l. and nearly all the members
Of Musical Assembly. Knights of Labor.
The hall was handsomely decorated with
United Ststes flags and bunting. and the
tables with plants and cut flowers. Mr..
William Weber presided, President Richard
avo.dably prevented from attending
The speakers were President Bremen Of
the Natioral League. George Nachman Of
Baltimore G. W. Ruhe of Pittsburg. F. b.
Roberts of Columbia Typographical Union,
Milford Spohn Of the Federation Of Trade
and Labor Uniors of Washington, M. Beck
secretary of the National League Of Musi-
clans.
ceedings of the convention, in yesterday 8
Star, President Samuel Gompers Of the
American Federation of Labor, who was in
the city on business, was introduced Mr.
Gompers made a lengthy and interesting
address,. in which he asserted that the
National League Of Musicians would be
greatly benefited by affiliating with the
American Federation of Labor. Mr.. Com
pers assured the delegates that they might
depend upon retaining their autonomy.
Mr.. Gnmpers' Views.
In the course of his remarks, President
Gompers said that the perfection Of labor
organization was necessary to the success
of trade unionism, for upon that depended
the rate Of wages and the number of hours
of labor. Continuing, Mr.. Gompers declar-
ed that the times are now more propitious
for labor organization than for ten years
past The captains Of industry had, he
said. carried on the industry and commerce
of cur country in such chaotic state that
1T might be characterized as employers
anarchism They had appealed to the ju-
dietary to exercise legal functions such as
only czars exercise. They had issued man
dan2uses in direct violation of law. This
spirit of capitalistic anarchy defying the
old laws, he said, tended to arouse labor
as never before to the necessity of organi-
Zation. Labor today was called upon to
act as 1t never was before, and he declared
that there was concentration Of wealth
going on that means ultimate slavery for
the masses.
You will be glad to hear" said Mr. Com
pers. that during the past four months
the growth Of trades unionsm The reports
to our headquarters show there has in these
four months been an increase Of 25 per
cent in the membership of unions affiliated
with the American Federation OF Labor.
In the same time the per capita tax has
increased more than 30 per cent. We are
taking up the frayed ends Of labor and
entering upon the rallying cry for eight
hours Of labor as days work. I ask you
to take up this rallying cry and to keep
it up until there Is not man or woman
who wants work unemployed"
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Gompers' re-
maj hs ne was asked numerous questions
by many of the delegates, and with one ex-
cept!on. he answered all of them to the
entire satisfaction Of the members Of the
convention. The query that he declined to
make reply to related to an event which
occurred during the administration of his
predecessor. President John Mcbride. Mr..
Gompers was given vote Of thanks by
! the convention, and, upon leaving there, he
went to Baltimore, where he made a speech
last night.
Mr.. Gompers bears traces of his recent
long illness, but his health at this time
is good.