The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-12-12
LABOR CONVENTION
BEGINS ITS WORK
President GomperS Makes His
Annual Report.
DISCUSSES THE BOYCOTT
He SAYS Cause of Organized Labor Has
He Says Cause of Organized Labor Has
Prospered During the Year
Wages Have Advanced and
Shorter Hours Secured

Detroit, Mich, December I.-Nearly 200
delegates representing all branches of trade
unionism, with an estimated total member
ship of nearly 100000, were seated at writ
ing tables scattered over the floor of Har-
monte hall today, when the nineteenth an
nual convention of the American Fedora
ton of Labor was called to order.
The gathering was called to order by
James Duncan, of Baltimore, second vice
president. Mr.. Duncan announced that Mr..
Gompers was still suffering severely from
injuries resulting from a recent bicycle ac-
cident in Washington, and possibly might
not be able to attend the convention, and
in compliance with the Fedora ton rules
prohibiting speeches by outsiders. no well
comes were rendered by officials of the city
or state. The only address of this charac-
ter was by Herbert ]. GrevilIe. president
of the Detroit Council of Trade and Labor
Unions.
Vice President Duncan responded to the
welcome.
President Gomper's Report
After the adoption of a resolution of SYM
pathy for President Gompers, the annual
report of President Gompers was read by
Vice-President Duncan.
In this report Mr.. Gompers points out
that the cause of organized labor has pros
pered during the year. Wages have been
increased and shorter hours secured.
The report shows that during the year
statistical blanks have been issued to nine
| national unions, thirty-fve central labor
unions and trades assemblies, 304 local trade
unions which have no national or interna-
tio1al unions and to 101 federal unions.
There are affiliated seventy-two national
and international unions, eleven state fed
erations 11S city assemblies, 595 local unions
without national or International organi-
cations, and POP federal labor unions. The
| telegraphers have also become affiliated,
these being the first of the railroad organi-
cations to come in. A large number of
other subjects are covered.
Speaking of the boycott Mr.. Gompers
says:
1T has been my purpose for some time
to present in a comprehensive manner the
right of the workers to employ the power
| Of the boycott With the object in view,
the editorial appearing in the October issue
of the Aberican Federationst, under the
caption, The Boycott as a Legitimate
Weapon was written and published. IL is
commended to your serious consideration. y
Fight Hour Law
The eight-hour law is fully discussed and
| reasons for its defeat in congress shown.
| The Seaman's Right Bill, child labor, short
| er work days and all other of the things be-
| ing sought by the union men were present.
ed, recommending that all measures so far
| agitated along these lines be pushed.
| Closing the report Mr.. Gompers said: The
| past has not been without its advances and
| its progress in the cause so near and dear
| to us; with firm faith in the justice for
which we contend, and the conviction that
| by the concentration Of our efforts upon the
| lines we have mapped out for our move
ment, success, ameioratdon, and final eman-
| cipation must come, I have THE honor to
| submit to you the stewardship of the trust
reposed in me, apd to remain, etc.
Following the report of President Com
| pers came a recess, after which the reports
| of Frank Morrison, secretary, and John
Blennon treasurer were read.
A discussion of the trouble among Detroit
| theatrical employees consumed the remain
der of the session.