The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1897-12-14
NEEDS
AS Seen by Labor Leader
Gompers
ORGANIZATION COMES FIRST
THE HOURS OF LABOR MUST BE
REDUCED
ORGANIZATION COMES FIRST



100 delegates from different States, and
an equal number Of visitors. President
Gompers presided. The hall was deco
rated with the flags Of many nations.
Havelock. Wilson and Edwin Hartford,
delegates from England. were intro
duced by the President.
After the meeting had been called to
order, VIM. Amison, Of the local Typo
graphical Union, delivered an address
of welcome. President Gompers re-
sponded, saying:
with two exceptions all our afiiliated
national unions report large increase
Of local unions and in membership.
There is an increase Of about "a, 900 men,
bers in the organizations affiliated.
ut has been the constant aim to organ
lie our fellow workers engaged In I'M
skilled labor. With the invention Of
new machinery, and the application Of
new forces, the division and subdivision
Of labor, many workers who have been
employed at skilled trades find them
selves with their occupation gone. to
which they have devoted long terms Of
years to acquire. Thus we see the citi-
zen Of yesterday the unskilled laborer of
today. A strong majority Of federal la
Dor unions for unskilled workers has
been organized during the past year.
and form 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 pro-
duced them are worthy Of note.
1.-THE strikes Of this year, with few ex-
ceptions. have been for higher wages,
shorter hours and recognition Of union
principles. Our organizations report
with gratifying unanimity the very
advantages gained, and the growth and
extension Of the power Of organization
enjoyed. The movement to reduce the
hours Of labor Ii always one which COM
mands the first attention OF organized
labor. We hold that no condition Ii sat-
isfactory nor any solution complete
which fails to eliminate the curse and
the degrading influence OF non-employ-
ment, and so long as this evil shall BE-
with us. our best efforts viii be concefl-
trated to the reduction Of the hours Of
labor Of all until the desired end Is at
tanned.
1.-THE establishment of . postal saw
ings bank system, and also a postal tele-
graph, long since demanded by organized
labor. seems no nearer accomplishment
than at any previous time. It Is submit
ted whether it would not be better to
modify our position in 30 far as to i'm
pose no objection to the passage Of law
providing for compulsory arbitration In
disputes Of organized employees Of rail-
giving award by such lawful arbitrators,
but we should hesitate to give our en-
dorsement to any legislation, state or
national, empowering the compulsory
enforcement Of award and the enforce
ment of a contract to labor.
I'VE not only demand the right Of
trial by jury for any offense charged"
Mr.. Gompers says, but also that we, as
workers and citizens. shall not be re-
strained In the exercise Of our lawful
and natural rights. Courts do not, and
cannot, issue injunctions restraining
persons from committing crimes or
misdemeanors, and should not when
there IL another complete remedy at
law"
The president submits the question,
whether the per capita tax from local
trade unions and local federal labor
unions should not be increased 80 as to
come nearer the sum usually required
by national unions, thus removing a
very large obstacle to the transfer Of
local trade unions to their proper ju-
risdiction?"
The steps that have been taken to-
ward securing an eight-hour work day
are reviewed, and the address continues:
Nothing remains now but for the
final decision Of this convention as to
the ways and means by which the pro-
ject shall be carried into effect. or
whether the Judgment Of the convention
is that the time stated is, in view OF In
iustrial conditions, practical one, or
whether 1t would be advisable to await
the flood tide Of an industrial revival
for it's general and Simultaneous en-
forcement. This question must Of neces-
sity receive your careful consideration.
"During the early part Of the year the
supreme court Of the United States rem
dered a decision In d case involving the
right of seamen to quit their employ
ment even when the vessel was In har-
Dor. The decision was adverse to the
rights Of the seamen. In an opinion
accompanying the decision the court
gave expression to and laid down doc
trines entirely inimical to the inter-
ests of the people. and In 30 many words
invalidated the Thirteenth amendment