River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-12-16
IFS ANNUAL CONVENTION.
National Federation OF Labor Dele


Nashville. Tenn, Dec. l4.-The Ma
tional Federation of Labor began IFS
annual convention session in this city
1 Monday with an attendance Of more
than 100 delegates FROM different states
I and an equal number of visitors. The
I federation met in the hall OF the house
of representatives at the state capitol
1T one o'clock. President Gompers pre-
siding. President Gompers read his
annual address. which was in part as
follows;
/ with two exceptions. all our affiliated
national unions report large increase of
local unions and in membership There is
an Increase OF abou. $4,000 members In the
organizations AFFILIATED.
1T has been the constant aim TO organize
our fellow workers engaged in unskilled
sbor. With the invention OF new machin-
cry and the applications OF new forces, the
division and subdivision of labor, many
workers v no have been employed al skilled
trades find themselves with their cccupa-
lion gone. to which they have devoted
tong terms Of ears 10 acquire Thus we
sec the artisan Of yesterday the unskilled
Iaborer % to- .ay. II is source Of gratl-
Gcatiop o.. q t.at within the past year
1 very rge number II federal labor unions
for ucs l5illed workers have been organized
and from them much larger number %
trace unions.
'"rhere have been quite a number Of
str kes within the past year, but the change
IN the causes which have produced them
is worthy of note.
The strikes Of this year with few ex-
ceptlons have been for higher wages, short
n hours and the extension and recogni-
ton Of union principles. Our organizations
report with gratifying unanimity the very
large number Of successes achieved, adj
vantaGcs gained and the growth and ex-
tension OF the power of organization en-
joyed.
THE movement TO reduce the hours of
labor is always one which commands the
first attention OF organized labor.
I'VE hold that no condition is satisfac-
tory nor any solution complete which fails
20 eliminate the curse and the degrading in
fuences Of unemployment, and so long
as this evil shall be with US our best efforts
will be concentrated to the reduction Of
the hours of labor Of all until the desired
end IS attained
The establishment Of a postal savings
bank system and also a postal telegraph
system long since demanded by organized
labor, seems nearer accomplishment than
at any previous time.
at is submitted whether It would not be
wise to modify our position in so far as to
interpOse no objection to the passage Of
a law providing for compulsory arbitration
In disputes between the organized en-
plOyes of the railroads and the railroad
companies. and the giving of an award by
such lawful arbitrators: but we should
hesitate to give our Endorsement to any
legislation. state or national empowering
the compulsory enforcement of an award
and the specific enforcement of a contract
10 labor
There should be no equiyocation as to
our position on any question, much less
one of such Importance as immigration.
Recently one Of the branches of the
federal courts decided by a majority vote
that the boycott is Illegal. The sugges-
tion is made that upon any letter or cir
cular issued upon a matter Of this char
acter. after stating the name of the unfair
firm and the grievance complained of, the
words: we have been enjoined by the
courts from boycotting this concern could
be added with advantage"
After the reading of the address the
federation adjourned until 2:15 p. IN.
Vice President Mcclure presided AZ
the afternoon session. which was wei
attended. Secretary Morrison present
ed his report. showing an Increase Ia
receipts of S2.349 over the previous
year. An extra amount had been ex-
pended in organization and 3l,2s0 new
members were enrolled. The greatest
item of expense was $3.50 for organi-
cation, and Of this $4,000 had been used
in sending organizers among the min
ers during the great strike. Expenses
for the year were S19.113. During the
year, the report states, $40 strikes had
been officially noticed, Involving 1861
i07 workers. OF these $50 were won,
n COMPROMISED and 80 lost Drirfnp
the year 2l7 charters were issued TO ma
tional, state, central, local and federal
Ia Dor unions