The San Francisco call., 1897-12-14
GA4HBIuC
OF,ABOR
LEADERS
SeVentnth Session of
the leriCan Fed
!ratiOn.
LARGI INCREASE IN
EMBERS.
Preside GomperS Delivers
a Mt Interesting Ad-
dress.
REVIES THE GRIEVANCES
ONAGE-EARNERS.
Scorese United States Supreme
Coupr Its Decision Relating
to Seamen.
Preside Gompers Delivers
a Mt Interesting Ad-
dress.
REVIES THE GRIEVANCES
ONAGE-EARNERS.
Scorese United States Supreme
CouPr Its Decision Relating
to Seamen.
cial Dispatch 10 The CALL


NASILLE, Dec. 13.-The American
Federal OF Labor began its seventeenth
annuassion in this city to-day, with an
attende OF more than 100 delegates
from orent States and an equal mum ber
of visf. President Gompers presided.
The hwas decorated with the flags OF
manyations. Hsvelock Wilson and
Edwadarford, delegates from England.
were oduced by the president. After
the fing had been called to order.
Will Amison of the local Typographical
uniosliVered an address of welcome.
Puent Gompers responded to the
addr The report of the committee on
credtals was presented, after which
Presnt GOmpers read his annual ad-
dres
Pdent GOmpers said:
w two exceptions ali our affiliated ne-
uOIAnlons report a large iucreuse of local
Eui and in membership. There is an IL
creDt bout 81, 900 members in the organi-
Za'j affiliated.
been the constant aim TO organize our
tel'Workers engaged in unskilled labor
Wine invention OF new machinery and the
spauons OF new forces, the division and
Su'lslon OF labor, many workers who have
bempioyed at skilled trades find them
Sc. with their occupation gone and
WI they have devoted long terms OF years
10 ltre. Thus we see the citizen of yestel-
daIe unSkilled labOre- of to-day. ItlsA
sol OF graGfCation to report thAt within
I'>J year very large number OF Federal
IL atunIOuS 1Or UnSkAIcd workers has been
oTlz a ana from tnem mucl larger num-
be irade unions
e nave been quite number OF strikes
VIII The past yeGT, but the change in the
20 .FFI NJ .
OF e Tne strikes OF this year, with few
eNI0ns, have been IOr higher wages
sHr hours, and recognition o. union prin-
eli Our orgs snlzalons report, with graf
l:y Unaulml,y, the very arge number of
su seS secured. the advantages gained and
IN OWta and extension OF the power OF or
gHuon enjoyed The movement 10 reduce
tn5Grs q ID Dor IS & ways one which COM
n $ the frst attention Of organized labor
N'ld mat no condition is satisfac tory nor
aTOIuuou complete which fails to elimi-
name curse and the degrading influence of
ncmpl oYm Mt. ana so long as this evil
81 De with US, our best efforts will be con-
17ated 10 the reduction OF the hours OF la
ali until the desired end is attained.
establ iSnmeut OF postal savings bank
sym, also postal telegraph, long since de-
mlsd by organ zed aoor, seems no nearer
H0pllshmeut than al any previous time
1t tubmitted whether il would not be better
to dlfy our POSITION insofar as 10 iInpCs
nOJecuon to tue passage OF Il law providing
ga d empIoyes OF railroads ana railroad
coanieS and Of giving award by such law
lubliratoTs, but We should hesitate 10 EiVe
ou dorsemenL 10 any legislation, State or
nalal, empowering the compulsory en-
ionent OF award and the enforcement of
CO. CT to Ia Dor.
{ should be no equivocation as to our
poSn on any question, much less one OF
sucimportance as INN grafton. Recently
OneLne branches o. the FeQeTaI courts de-
cld0y majority vote that the boycott is
lie The sugge, ton Is made that upon
anyter or circular issued upon such N at
ter this character, after stating the name OF
the air firm and the grievances Complained
OF, twOrds eve have been enjnined by the
cou1rom bovcotIng this firm" should be
Wtot only demand the right of trial by
jury any Cffeuse charged, but also that we
IN t exercise OF cur Lawful and natural
rlgh' Courts DO not and cannot issue m
luNc1s restraining persons from com nit
ting mes or misdemeanors, and should not
WheLAere IS another complete remedy al
law. II Du, just that the workers insist
upontug regarded as equals before the law
ana II Ii their activity to prevent infringe
mentAn their rights and their hops and
struggI 10 maintain their manhood extra
J lUdicH5roceedl should not lie against
them rs now the case by the use or, more
y Operltated, abuse OF the powers OF the
courts the issuance OF writs OF injunction.
The esident submits jhe question
'whett the per capita tax from local
Trade ions and local federal abor
unlonsiOuld not be increased 20 a to
come nrer the sum usually required by
natlOnAnlOns, mus removing a very
large ohcle TO the tran fer of local trade
unions their proper jurisdiction, and
cOntInu
PreviO conventions, and particularly the
last, AIDED resolutions q dIrecfiup horb
{ eXecutlVouuCu and the president to aD-
point omlZers, botA speclai and general
lLeSe 1auctlOus we were unab L 10 lutIy
carry oUwing to The lack of provision of
FUNDS fohat purpose. Where resolutions
are ADOPT directing officers TO appolntothers
10 perturIpeciaI work and means are no. al
nsnd TO Ty them into effect ii gives cause
Tor dlsssfacuOn, The blame is usually
placed VI the executive, VINO is then ade
the object attack, beng char ged with lack
Of synlpa win the trade or the workers of
any one -tlcular section Of the country
Tnis is patuiarly true IN the case OF the in
strucIIOn regard 10 the lntermouutain
country ole Far West. To the fu lest extent
II our mes special and general orgaplz.rs
lave been pointed and deputed 10 organize
unions. O conventions should either pro-
vide the nms by which its instructions can
Je pub lutoect or hesitate in It's legislation
DYo wing send lures OF money.
Dur. ng iharIy part OF the year my atteu-
ioI: was cad 10 tne fact that there was an
nent ol theJuntry on geograp phtcaI liLes
This WAS sttUusly lomented ana afterwsrd
,penIy aved. Steps were jmm edlately
akeu to c0Icract the consummst tion OF this
ulcidal pol and IL i a source OF gratificu-
IOu 10 he eh.e ed 10 state that, at ieaSt ior
ue time bel. the evil sought TO be accom-.
,lIshed mas IN Ia d at resi-, let US hope never
gain 10 bcvIved The employing class,
ne weaII po.se'sors, the corporate
,ower OF II country allow no geo
les to interfere with the
the identity OF their IN
eiests. In erything that affects them
like they nd a unit They do not
low mounts, mountain pass.s or oceans
0 divide the They recognize the identity
I their inlens as attested by the unity of
heir action. is worse than folly for any OF
he workers our country to attempt TO enter
he wedge Of cord into the ranks OF crgan-
zed lebor anNsrupt it for any cause, much
ths sectional phical lines.
or the Laner massacre Mr.. Gompers
ays:
rms cline ainst our laws, this brutality
gAlnst lnoheVe mea, the wall of widows
nd orphans, wounded pride OF American
luzenshlp al common humanity cry out
ot only t"at stice shall be meted out TO