The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-12-14
NEW FORCES IN THE FIELD.
EFFECT OF LABoR-sAVING MA
CHINERY DISCUSSED BY PRES
IDENT GOMPERS.
OFFICERS, REPORTS PRESENTED
Nearly Three Hundred Strikes Off,
ciaIIy Recognized During the
Past Year.


| city today, 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 L O'Clock, President Gompers presid-
ing. The hall presented a most attrac-
! tive appearance being decorated with
the flags of many nations. Havelock
Wilson and Edward Hartford. delegates
from England. We're introduced by the
president. Mr. Wilson is a member of
parliament. and Mr. Hartford is ex-
secretary Of the railway employees or
ganization.
After the meeting had been called to
order, this morning, William Amison
| of the local Typographical union, de-
| livered an address Of welcome in be-
half of the labor organizations of the
! city. Mr.. Amison spoke Of the pleasure
afforded by the assembling of the fed
GRAFTON in this city, whose hospitality
| IS pfoVerbiaI; referred to the past and
| present struggle in the interests of
! labor; paid a high tribute to the men
| who have worked long and faithfully in
| the cause and closed by expressing the
! hope that the deliberations of the body
would be followed by great good to the
| working people and the public general
I ly.
President Gompers responded to the
| address, thanking Mr. Amison and the
ltbor organizations for the welcome
accorded.
The report of the committee on ere
dentials was presented after which
President Gompers read his annual ad-
dress. The federation then adjourned
until 2:15 p. M.
AT the afternoon session the reports
! Of the president and secretary were
! heard. President Gompers said in his
! annual report:
! With two exceptions, all our affiliated
tional unions report a large increase of local
| unions and in membership. There is an in
| crease of about "a 600 members in the Or
CARNATIONS affiliated.
| 1t has been the constant aim to organize
our fellow workers engaged in unskilled
labor. With the invention Of new machinery
the applications of new forces, the division
and subdivision of labor, many workers who
have been employed at skilled trades find
themselves with their occupation gone, and
to which they have devoted long terms of
years to acquire. Thus we see the artisan
| of yesterday unskilled laborer of today. 1t
| is a source of qualification to report that
| within the past year a very large number
| of federal labor unions for unskiiled workers
| had been organized, and from them a much
| larger number Of trade unions
| There have been quite number of strikes
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
exceptions have been for higher wages, short
| er hours, and the extension and recognition
| Of union principles. Our organizations report
with gratifying unanimity the very large
number of successes achieved advantages
| gained and the growth and extension OF the
power Of organization enjoyed. The move
ment to reduce the hours of labor is always
| one which commands the first attention of
organized labor. We hold that no condition
is satisfactory nor any solution complete which
fails to eliminate the curse and the degrad-
| Ing influence of non employment, and so long
as this evil shall be with US our best eff
forts will be concentrated to the reduction
Of the hours of labor of all until the desired
| end is attained.
The establishment Of postal savings bank
| system and also a postal telegraph system
| long since demanded by organized labor. seems
| nearer accomplishment than at any previous
| time.
| 1t is submitted whether it would not be
wise to modify our position in SO far as to
interpose objection to the passage of
| law providing for compulsory arbitration IN
| disputes between the organized employees of
| the railroads and the railroad companies. and
| the giving of an award by such lawful ar
! bitrators: but we should hesitate to give our
| Endorsement to any legislation. state or ma
| tional empowering the compulsory enforce
ment of award and the specific enforce
ment of contract of labor
There should be TO equivocation as to our
position or any question. much less one OF
!
Secretary Morrison presented his re-
port, showing an increase in receipts
| Of $2349 over the previous year. An
extra amount had been expended in
organization and 1920 new members
were enrolled. The greatest item of
expense was 1883 for organization,
and of this $4,000 had been used in
sending organizers among the miners
during the great strike. Expenses for
| the year were $19,113. The report stat
| ed that the Federationist, the organ
| of the federation, had been increased
in size at an increased expense, but re-
ceipts had exceeded expenditures. Dur
ing the year the 276 strikes were Off
cially noticed, involving 165, 407 work.
ers. Of these 1S9 were won; 81 COM
promised and SO lost. During the year
PIT charters were issued to national
state, central local and federal labor
unions. Two charters for state fedora
lions were issued to Ohio and Missouri.
The report states the indications are
favorable for a continuance of the use
! of labels The secretary recommends
| that the per capita tax for local and
federal labor unions to the federation
/ be increased from one to five cents per
member
Treasurer John B. Lennon then sub
mitted his report, showing the income
Of the federation from Nov l, 1896, to
Nov l, 1897, to be $21 1903, and the ex-
penses, $19, 113, leaving balance in the
treasury of 81. 694 which, added to 1000
now in the hands Of the secretary,
gives a total balance of 1854. The re-
port was referred to the committee on
treasurer's report.
President Gompers announced the following
regular committees:
On the Report Of the President Martin
Fox. D. f. Sullivan, T. F. Tracy Andrew
Furuseth and William Oliver.
On the Executive Councils Report-M. D.
Ratchford William O'Brien, Andrew MUIR
ray, G. A. Whitaker and Edward Moore.
On the Secretary's Report-Ready Kene-
han, Ed Hirsch, ]. B. Myers, Dan Mahoney
% On Iaws-P. J. Mcclure, James Duncan
w. B. Prescott, NJ. M. Garland and John
Tobin.
On Resolutions. B. Lennon, J. G. Der
nell. James F. Valentine, John E. Sullivan
and Charles Myers.
On Grievances-T D. Fitzgerald, ]. A Moi
fett w. j. Spencer, August Prlesterback and
B. a. Larges.
Local and Federated Bodies-G. ]. Bennett,
W. D. Mahon. T. j. Murphy, James MeCabe
and George H. Wagner.
On Organization-W e. Kelapzety, Arthur
Leslie D. ]. Keefe, e. ]. Lynch and Jacob
Schmelz. o,o-,,
j. s. Hedberg, John White, Fred BoZely and
Samuel Ross.
All resolutions offered under the programme
were referred to committees. The credentials
| committee made an additional report showing
ninety delegates had reported. The conven-
ton adjourned until o'clock tomorrow.
FALL RIVER WAGE CUT.
Final Details of the Plan Not Yet
A0rRed Iyuon.