Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-12-12
The CONDITION OF labor
PROSPERITY BEFITTING ORGAN
lied LABOR, BUT NOT
UNORGANIZED.
Gompers, of the American
Federation of Labor, Not Afraid
of Trusts-Organized Labor Can
Does Not Favof Antitrust Legis-
Iafinn


DETROIT, December 1.-THE nine
teenth annual convention of the Amer
lean Federation of Labor opened Its
sessions to-day.
President Gompers in his report for
the year said:
The revival of industry which we
have witnessed within this past year is
one for general congratulation, and it
should be our purpose to endeavor to
prolong this era of more general en-
ployment and industrial activity. In
this effort no power is so potent as or
anized labor, if we but follow a right
and practical course
When the present industrial activity
first manifested itself, employers gen.
orally sought to increase the hours of
labor of all; and, had it not been for
the determined stand made by our fell
low unionists, as large 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 in
creased, 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
industrial revival has been longer hours
of daily labor with additional burdens
to bear.
Organized labor is deeply concerned
regarding the swift and intense con-
centration of the industries" and it
realizes that unless successfully con-
fronted by an equal or superior power,
there is economic danger and political
subjugation in store for all.
But organized labor looks with appre-
hension at the many panaceas and REM
edies offered by theorists to curb the
growth and development, or to destroy
the combinations of industry. We have
seen those who know little of state
craft, and less of economics, urge the
adoption of laws to regulate" inter
state commerce, and laws to prevent
combinations and trusts; and we have
also seen that these measures, when
enacted, have been the very instru-
ments to deprive labor of the benefit of
oranized effort, while at the same time
they have simply proved incentives to
more subtly and surely lubricate the
wheels of capitals combination.
For our own part, we are convinced
that the estate is not capable of pre-
venting the development or the natural
concentration of industry. All (. the
propositions to do SO which have come
under our observation, would, beyond
doubt, react with greater force and in
jury upon the working people of our
country than upon the trusts.
In the early days of our modern cap
italist system, when the individual en-
ployer was the rule under which indus
try was conducted, the individual work
men deemed themselves sufficiently
capable to cope for their rights; when
industry developed and employers
formed companies, the workmen form
union; when industry concentrated into
great combinations. the workingmen
formed their national and international
unions; when industry concentrated in
to great combinations. the workingmen
of all unions, local, national and inter-
national. such as the American Fedora
ton of Labor.
We shall continue to organize and
federate the grand army of labor, and
with our notices, fewer hours of labor,
higher wages, and an elevated standard
of life. we shall establish equal and
exact justice for all.
The report discusses in detail the OPP
erations of the Federation during the
year and its action in labor conflicts.
The policy of national expansion is SCI
verely condemned. Mr.. Gompers says:
A human war, undertaken for the in
dependence of Cuba from Spanish DOM
ination and misrule and the circum-
stances in connection Herewith, has
been taken advantage of to ruthlessly
trample under foot every principle upon
which our republic was founded; every
tradition which has made its name
sacred to patriots. thinkers and human
itarians. and every policy which has en-
deared the names OF the statesmen,
heroes and emancipators have been
nagrantly lung to the Winds