The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-12-08

w 18th, President Samuel
w s.: 8 s: : ::::: 4: !: : 4; &:
order in the hall of rep
resentatives in the state
capitol at Nashville, Tenn, there VIII
bc gathered in that hall working men
and women from every state and ter
ritury in the United States, severa
delegates representing the BRITISH
trades union congresses of Great Brit
ain, and it is expected that CANADA
and Japan will also be represented. IL
will mark an epoch in the history OF
the American Federation of Labor, the
greatest and strongest alliance of bone
sinew and skill the world has ever
known.
TIE object Of the American Fedora
ton of Labor is ito render employ
mert ard the means of subsistence less
preGarious by securing to the toilerS
an equitable share of the fiuits OF theli
toll" AS means to this end 1t pro-
poses:
A free federation of all trade and Ia
Dor unions in America; the establish
ment of self-governing unions OF
wage-wOrkers in every trade ana IeSll-
innate occupation; the formation 81
public opinion by the agencies OF the
platform, press and legislation, ana
the furtheranCC of civilization by Sc
curing to the tcilcrs a reduction IN the
daily hours Of labor; CncOuras" the
formation of local trade ana labor
unions, and the closer federation OF
such societies through the orgdniza-
tiOn of CCatral trade and labor UNIONS
in every city, and the further COM
bination OF such bodies into state, ter
rtorial and provincial organizations,
to secure legislation IN the interest oil
the working classes; the estapIlsh-
ment Of national and international
trade unions. based upon a strict rec
ognition of the autonomy of each
trade. ard the promotion ana al
vauCemcnt OF such bodies, to aid ana
encourage the labCr press of America;
and an American federation of all na-
tional ana International trad" unions
to aid and assist each other, and fur
thermorC, to secure national state ana
municipal legislation in the interest OF
the working people, AMI influence pun
lie opinion, by peaceful and legal
metl DDS. in favor of organized labor.
Tho Federation of Labor endelVOrS
to unite all classes of wagC-WorkerS
under one head, through their several
organizations, to the end that class,
race, creed, political and trade pre-
iudccs may be abolished; that sup
port. moral ana financial, may DC
given to each other. 1t gives to any
organization joining it's ranks rccogni-
ton in the field of labor in all It's
phases. 1t secures in cases of boy
colts, strikes, lockOutS, attentive hear
ing before all affiliated bodies and rem
ders financial aid to the extent of its
ability. lcailOwS each organization to
control its own funds, to establish
and eXpend its own benefits without
let or hiudrance. 1t aims TO alloW-in
the light of eXpericnCC-thc utmost
liberty to each organization in the con-
duct of its own affairs consistent with
the generally understood principles Of
labor. Il has established intcrcom-
muniCation, created agitation and is
in direct correspondence with a corps
of representative organizers through
out the country. 1t watches tn" inter
eSts of the workers in the national
congress; It indorSes and protests in
the name of labor and has secured
vast relief fIcm burdCnsOmc laws and
government officials. 1t is in COmmun-
ication with rcfCI merS and sympathiH-
ers in almost all classes, giving in
formation and enlisting their co-opcl-
alton. 1t asks the CO. operation of all
Wage-WOrKeiS VINO DellcNt III the pilh-
ciple of unity, and that there Is
Smething better in life than long
hours, low wages, lack of employ
ment, and all that these imply. Its
existence is based upon economic law.
CONSERVATIVE AND INFLUEN
TIAI.
That the American Federation Of La
Eor is an organization Of growing pow
cr and influence Is due to the fact thu
its officers in tine main have tried TO J
pCided y reason ana wise Judgment
endeavoring To- better the condition
the toiers whom they represent. III