The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-12-18
IT'S ANNUAL CONVENTION.
National Federation of Labor Dele
rate. Meet I'm Nashville, Tenn.

rate. Meet I'm Nashville, Tenn.
Nashville. Tenn, Dec. 14.-The Ma
tional Federation of Labor began its
annual convention session in this city
Monday with an attendance OF more
than 100 delegates from different states
and an equal number OF visitors. The
federation met in the hall OF the house
OF representatives at the state capitol
at one o'clock, President Gompers pre-
siding. President G0mpers read his
annual address, which was In part as
follows
.with two exceptions. all our affiliated
natibnal unions report a large Increase or
local unions and In membership. There Is
an Increase OF about $1,000 members In the
organizations affiliated.
''It has been the constant aim to organize
our fellow workers engaged In unskilled
labor with the invention OF new machin-
ery and the applications OF new forces, the
division and subdivision OF labor. many
workers who have been employed at skilled
trades find themselves with their occupa-
ton gone, 10 which they have devoted
IONS, terms OF years 10 acquire. Thus we
see the artisan OF yesterday the unskiiled
laborer OF to-day. IL Is n source OF graft
ncation TO report that within the past year
n very large number OF federal labor unions
for unskilled workers have been organized
and from them a much larger NUMBER or
trade unions
There have been quite n number or
strikes within the past year, but the change
in the causes which have produced them
Is worthy OF note.
'"rhe strikes OF this year with few ex-
ceptlons have been for higher wages, short
er hours and the extension and recogni-
ton OF union principles. Our organizations
report with gratifying unanimity the very
large number or successes achieved, adj
vantages gained and the growth and ex-
tension OF the power OF organization en-
joyed.
''The movement 20 reduce the hours OF
labor IL always one which commands the
first attention or organized labor.
I'VE hold that no condition is satisfac-
tory nor any solution complete which falls
TO eliminate the curse and the degrading in
nuences OF unemployment, and so long
as this evil shall be with us our best efforts
will be concentrated 10 the reduction OF
the hours OF labor OF all until the desired
end Is attained.
'rhe 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 II would not be
Else TO modify our position in so far as 10
lntorpose no objection 10 the passage OF
"a
In disputes between the organized cm-
ployes OF the railroads and the railroad
companies, and the giving OF an award by
such lawful arbitrators: but we should
hesitate 20 give our Endorsement TO any
legislation, state or national, empowering
the compulsory enforcement or an award
and the specific enforcement OF a contract
70 labor.
There should be no equivocation 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 majority vote
that the boycott is Illegal The sugges-
ton "a made that upon any letter or cir
cular issued upon a matter OF this char
ncter after stating the name OF the unfair
firm and the grievance complained OF, the
words We have been enJoined by the
courts from boycottlng this concern, could
be added with advantage"
After the reading OF the address tho
federation adjourned until 2;15 p. IN.
Vice President Mcclure presided at
the afternoon session, which was well
attended. Secretary Morrison present.
ed his report, showing an increase in
receipts of S2,340 over the previous
year. An extra amount had been ex-
pended In organization and 34,2S0 new
members were enrolled. The greatest
item of expense was $3.50 for opgani-
cation, and Of this So 900 had been used
in sending organizers among the min
ers during the great strike. Expenses
for the year were S19,1l3. During the
year, the report states, 376 strikes had
been officially noticed, involving 1861
407 workers. or these 1s0 were won,
81 compromised and 80 lost During
the year PIT charters were issued to ma
tional, state, central, local and federal
labor unions.