The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-12-21


was no session of the sixteenth annual
convention of the American Federation
of Labor today, many of the officers
and delegates of the organization were
active in the cause to which they are
devoted-the advancement of trades
unionism.
President Samuel Gompers addressed
a large audience at o'clock this af-
ternoon in Weyley chapel, Methodist
Episcopal church, his subject being
The Rough Struggle of a Rugged
life" During the course of his re-
marks, Mr.. Gompers reviewed the
progress of the labor movement, es-
pecIally in the United States He
painted, in glowing words, a picture of
the almost innumerable obstacles and
discoura genfents that have been met
and overcome in the heroic struggle of
the working classes TO bring about a
condition that would insure to them
selves just and fair proportion of the
earnings of their labor, and told of
what it is hoped will yet be accom-
plished through the work and influence
of trades unionism. The advantages
of organization were dwelt upon at
considerable length. and it was pointed
out that the benefits to be gained are
not for the wageearners alone; because,
as the condition of labor is improved.
so is society and citizenship raised to a
higher standard.
SOME EXPLANATIONS.
The manner in which national and
international organizations undertake
to bring about an adjustment of differ
enceS between employers and local la
Dor bodies, SO as to give to each side
in the controversy its just dues, to
prevent lockouts. strikes. etc, was
explained, and the necessity of a uni
versal eight-hour workday strongly
urged. Give to the great army of
labor a worlxday of eight hours" he
said, compensation that will enable
the Industrious to have homes, reason
able 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 So
ciety and citizenship ever attained in
this world" The Bible" said Mr.
Gompers. both the old and new tesla
ments, are full of the 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
Christian people to aid the cause of
labor by their influence. and in what
ever manner it is possible for them to
do so.
BAKERS MEET.
A mass meeting of bakers, organized
and unorganized, was held this morn
ing at o'clock. The speakers were
President Gompers. Delegate Henry
Weisman of Bakers and Confectioners'
international union; Charles +. Bristol
National Union of Brewery Workers.
and w. d. Mahon, Amalgamated Asso-
citation of Street Railway Employees.
Delegate Weisman has been verv
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 organized
before the close of the week
At 2 o'clock a mass meeting of car
penters, which was largely attended
and at which there were many non.
union men, was held in Workmens' hall
and addresses by First President
P. J. MCGUIRE, Samuel YarnelI of
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners, and Richard Cullinane of the
Lawrence, Mass, Central Labor union.
TODAY'S WORK.
The three most important matters
to come before the convention tomor-
row are the Olney arbitration bill. a
resolution on foreign immigration. and
a resolution intended to commit the
American Federation of Labor to the
socialist labor party. w. c. PomerOy.
the delegate of the Chicago hotel and
restaurant employees association who
was refused a seat in the convention
on account of having issued a partisan
political circular. will ask to be heard
and it is likely that he VIII be given
the privilege of the floor. Several dele
gates at the Dennison hotel tonight
intimated that if PomeFoy is allowed to
address the convention he will spring a
sensation on that body