The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-13
other without endAnserlns the fundamental

other without cnihngerlng the fundamental
principles OF Justice and liberty.
I'VE should give otr earnest conaidera-
tacn to formulate a measure calculated
to bring the legislative relief from this
species of oppression. authorized by no
legislative enactment burt winch ig court
made law, created by Judge Ricks, and
followed by Judges Jenkins, Taft. Williams,
Grosscup and others.
Divers others matters are treated Of,
all more or less CT a nature OF interest
only to the members of the various unions
or to the delegates in attendance ON the
convention and not of IL general character.
OF the arbitration law, which the rasl-
road laborers' unions mot having mem
bsrship in deterioration Of Labor asked
OF congress, Mr.. Gompes tells as follows:
For number Of years the blli, pre-
sumably for the arbitrScion OF disputes
betwaen the railroad employees OF the
country AMI the railroad companies pend
ed in congress. The American Federation
of Labor. at its convention, and It's repie-
sen;iatiyes at the capitol, has from time to
tins interposed objections against the pas
sage OF the bill, on the ground that II in
terlered with the worker quitting his en-
ployment at any time when the conditions
of employment became irksomc; that In
some form or other the bill contained
features for the specific enforcement OF a
contract 20 labor. or personal service.
When the bill was first introduced Vt had
the affirmative OF all these objectionable
provisions. At each scsFion OF congress
the bill by reason OF our objections. has
been improved and its dir@ct penal pro-
visions eliminated. At the instance OF
your representatives. congressman ana
senat0rs callai attention 10 the dangerous
features contained In The bill, the result OF
which has been that many of the most
important otjeations have been heeded and
II ie hut ne
and orders Of the railroad employees re-
carded our objection to the pass lse Of the
bill with some feeling OF asperlty; but In
the form IN which the bill >.naliy became
law. they Wal bear willing testimony that
owing to the persstency on this subject,
the lsw Is freer from dangers TO thetF
interests, thcir rights and their libsrs'es.
and the interests. rights and liberties Of
the workers Of the country, than when
the bill was first introduced"
The .stgictest attention was aeeorlea
Precedent G0mpers In the delivery o. his
address. which was received ~ Fns aeie-
gales with much enthusiasm. AT Ils con-
oI,rgdc, q recess was taken.
Treasurer john u. Lennon Submitted MS
annual report, showing |brai receipts o.
sci .bsS and total disbursements OF SlS. lsl.
Mr. Lennon appealed for larger conilou-
tions 10 the treasury of thu federation.
stating that wherever the officers Of the
that was expected OF them during the past
year. the lack Of effectiveness had be y
due to lsck OF funds. II a similar state OF
affairs As to be avoided In the future, tie
ORGANIZATIONS must etfrsr contribute more
funds or shs conventions must not lay out
SO extensive and expensive a programme
to be carried out during the ensuing ycir,
Secretary Frank Morrison report.d a
eratif,inx i,icyease OF membership. Onsy
Two OK TIE sixfy seven affiliated organ "a
ticns reported G decrease. he said, al tie
others having held their own o. increseed
tions surrendered their charters durlnz the
81 ar. an,ong tisern being the Wes'ern Ed
ers,don OF 'Mmers. with 9 menhership Of
8I4'h0. The others were Local unions ard
rsrresented but for'y-ons ex-mfinbers
Thrsr local vatons were s'lspended s.d
ninstx- eight were dropped far non.DlymenE
OF sbe ,per cs7ita tax !,
Topight me delegates attended bal
givet tn their honor by the local tsaies
un.cnists.