Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-12
FEDERATION OF LABOR MEETS
Delegates Representing Eight Hundred
Thousand Trade Unionists in Session,
PRESIDENT GONpERS IS NOT PRESENT
stilI Suffering from Injuries Resulting
from n Bicycle Accident i'm WASH
ington-His Address Presented
to Convention.

DETROIT, Mich, Dec. 1t.-Nearly 200
delegates, representing all branches OF trade
unonism. with an estimated total member
ship of nearly 100000, were present at Har-
monte hall today, when the nineteenth an
nual convention of the American Federation
OF Labor was called to order. In the absence
of both President Gompers and Vice Presi-
dent MCGUIRE, the gathering was called to
order by James Duncan OF Baltimore, Sec
ond vice president. Mr. Duncan announced
that Mr.. Gompers was still suffering severely
from injuries resulting from bicycle acct
dent in Washington and possibly might not
be able to attend the convention
! A presentation OF difficulties existing be-
tween theatrical stage employees and theater
musicians was the most interesting feature
of the days session of the annual conven-
tion of the American Federation of Labor.
The situation at Detroit where the stage
hands have been locked out for some
months, with their union unrecognized by
the managers, is the primary cause of the
disturbance.
| 1t developed during this afternoons pro-
ceedings that the action of the Detroit Cen
trail Labor union in eXpelling the Detroit
theater musicians, after they had declined
to strike and join with the stage employees,
is strongly upheld by the stage hands al
lldHCS anu Is heartily COLhcIuutu Wy lue
Musicians National union A special COM
mittee will endeavor to bring about har-
mony.
The report of the credentials committee
| announced that the Brewery Workers and
tho Stationary Engineers had each with
| drawn their protects against the others be-
| ing seated and had expressed willingness
that their troubles go to the committee on
grievances.
Delegate James o. Connell, president Of
the Machinists association, gave a sketch of
tina; convention.
Delegate j. H. Sullivan of Baltimore,
president OF tho eastern faction of the
Brotherhood OF Painters and Decorators,
made similar report concerning the an
nual convention of the Canadian Labor con-
grCs1
The reports of President Gompers, Secre-
tary Frank Morrison and John B. Lennon,
treasurer were presented to the convention.
President Gompers in his annual report
said in part:
The revival of industry which we have
| witnessed within this last year Is one for
purpose to endeavor to prolong this era of
more general employment and industrial
activity. In this effort no power is, so
a right and practical course
When the present industrial activity first
manifested VSel1 employers StlleTdlS
sought TO increase hours of labor of all
and had it not been for the determined
stand made by our fellow unionists as large
a number would be unemployed during this
period as were unemployed during the
period of industrial depression.
| 1t is beyond question that the wages of
the organized workers have been increased
and in many instances the hours of labor
either reduced or, at least, maintained
! Practically the only advantage which has
come to unorganized labor from the in
dustrial revival has been longer hours of
daily labor with additional burdens to
hear.
With the workers toiling longer hours of
labor than are necessary, without the OPP
portunity of cultivating and increasing their
| consuming capacity, that is, without in
creasing their power of consumption nearly
tivity Of modern labor, the present indus
trial activity will be short-lived. Even to-
day, when nearly all join in the Joyous ac-
| claim of industrial progress and CONNER
cal success, we may witness in any of our
cities poverty, misery and despair. The
SlumS of our great cities stand as an aC-
cusing spectre to the maladministr ation. of
our economic political and social affairs:
In the midst of this wonderful era of
prosperity squalor and degrading environ,
ments are the natural results of unnatural
and inhuman conditions.
The trade union movement from time i'm
memorial has devoted its largest efforts to-
ward obtaining humaniZing conditions for
/ all. 1t has not sought to destroy but TO
build UP manhood, character and the high
! est attainable conditions of society. That it
has not made faster progress is due not to
! us VINO nave NOle our IuIN TO our ieilOW
workers. but to those who have failed to
ally themselves in the noble cause.
Growth of Unionism.
The report which your officers are en-
abled to submit to this convention, far
as the growth and progress of our move
ment during the last year are concerned.
is of a most gratifying character. We have
issued directly from, the office of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor charters to local
trade unions thaving no national or inter
national union of the trade), 3Oi; to federal
National and Internal tional unions. 73; state
federations of labor. IL; city central labor
unions and trades s ,oS asSSembIiefi ilS; local Ca
| unions, POP.
| we have had during the year seventeen
special organizers in the field, paid from the
funds of the American Federation of Labor.
We now have fourteen whose time and
expenses are paid in whole or in part. IT is
i but scant justice to these men to say that
| they have given entire satisfaction; that
! interests of our fellow workers and our
great movement and the earnest hope is eX-
pressed that this convention will authorize
a continuance of the project which has
brought us such good results.
Idaho Miners Struggle.
II is necessary to report the awful events
which have transpired in the Industrial
! field IN the west. From the hest sources
| property of the Bunker Hill and Sullivan
mines in Wardner, Idaho, was destroyed by
4 hnoGSdHiLtu miners, VINO, SOaued to deS-
! perat!on by the tyranny and brutality of
! the Comnanv and 'ackin~ rvperier ard
the knowledge which comes to the or
/ gained workers, NOT kno"4ns how to mo-
, tect their interests or TO conduct a strike.
| applied the most radical and desperate
| means to obtain relief and redress from
! their wrongs. When that laWless and in
| advisable act was Consummated the an
! thorities of Idaho declared martial law tho
| ciyll government was upset miliarism cs-
! tablished and the United States general in
command declared the Western Fedora tion
/ of Miners a criminal organization. The
! mine owners We're prohibited from employ
ing any miner unless he signed a declara-
ton renOunc!nG his connection with the
| ployment unless such a declaration was
| an ayoWal that the Miners union was a
! criminal body, No miner could obtain em-
! ployment unless such a declaration was
I signed by him approved and countersIgned
! by General Merriam and his aide -de-can1p
! One thousand two hundred men were cor
! rallied arrested, and placed in a stockade
properly named the bull pen" They were
cruelty and ,nhumanly treated and held fci
months without trial and now there are
hundreds awaiting the pleasure of the al-
/ thoriucs to determine whether they shall he
I tried or set at liberty. The whole proceed-
I ing Is so outrageous as to bring a blush of
shame 10 the checks of every liberty-loying
/ American. II as alleged the imprisoned
| men are guilty. they at least should be
! given fair trial before a jury of their
, peers, confronted with their accusers and
! If guilty. punished: II innocent they should
be given their liberty and their wrongs
! should be redressed This convention in no
mistaken tones, should express its keen
I '-8lgnaf'on end emphatic protest aPaingt