The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-12
Nineteenth Annual Conference in
Detroit.
GROWTH Of THE ORDER
Reviewed in the Address OF President
Gonpers-G sneral Merriam De-
nouncsd-Outrage on HUI
man Rights.


membership of nearly 100000, were
present at Harmonic hall to-day when
the 18th annual conference American
Federation of Labor, was called to or
der.
In the absence of both President
Gompers and Vice President Mcclure
the gathering was called to order by
James Duncan of Baltimore, second
vice president. Mr.. Duncan announced
that Mr. Gompers was still suffering
from injuries resulting from a bicycle
accident in Washington and possibly
might not be able to attend the conven-
ton.
In compliance with the federation
rules prohibiting speeches by outsiders,
no welcomes were rendered by officials
of the city or state. The only address
OF this character was by Herbert j.
Greville. president of the Detroit Coun-
Gil of Trades and Labor Unions.
Vice President Duncan, responding to
the welcome, said that the convention
is the largest meeting of organized la
Dor representatives ever held in the
United States, besides containing affil-
lated delegates from across the sea and
Canada.
When the committee on credentials
had reported the seating of the brew
cry workers was protested against by
representatives of the stationary steam
engineers. The brewery men retorted
by protesting against the credentials of
the stationary engineers and firemen.
All the other delegates were declared
seated
After adoption of a resolution of SYM
pathy for President Gompers, the
annual report Of President Gompers
Nv
After the reading of President Comp
er's report the convention took a recess
until 2:30 p. m.
The report of the credentials commit
tee announced that the brewery work.
ers and the stationary engineers had
each withdrawn thir protests against
the others being seated and had ex-
pressed willingness that their troubles
go to the committee on grievances
The reports of Frank Morrison. sec
retary and John B. Lennon, treasurer,
We're read as follows:
In his annual report Secretary Frank
Morrison says:
THE receipts show an increase IF
Sl1.S62 over that of last year. Of the
foregoing increase $500 was received
from the two assessments in the south
ern and inter-mouptain states. De-
Quoting the amount received from the
assessment there still remains the sum
of Sl2,642. receipts for per capita tax
and supplies.
THE per capita tax received this
year was s21,407 against s12, 705 last, a
net gain of $S,704.
The sum total of receipts for sup
plies was very near double the amount
received last year. The greater por-
ton of this increase was made up from
charter fees
THE heaviest single item of ex-
nj,
$6,373-s4,22S expended in the southern
and inter-mountain states, and the
balance, $2,145, paid to organizers out
side of the two districts named.
The expenses this year were s11,4O2
more than last"
A table is given showing that in the
various national and International or
CARNATIONS affiliated with the feder-
alton, 2,264 charters were granted dur
ing the year; 2S5 were surrendered,
an aggregate gain of IA 1882 In member
ship was made. 425 strikes were won,
4S were lost 50 were compromised and
SO are now pending.
Treasurer John B. Lennon, in his an
nual report, said:
Never in the history of the fedora
tion has our treasury been so strong,
and of more Importance even than
strong treasury is the fact that our in
come during the past year has ena-
bled the federation to carry on more
organizing work than during any year
in its history"
The reports show that a balance of
$2,S91.42 remained in his hands Nov.
l, 1898. The years receipts We're $685.
55713 and the disbursements $50, sos. %,
leaving balance on hand Nov. 1, 1S99
of $s,549.33 The balance of the session
was taken up with the contention be-
tween the rival unions of the thea tri-
cal employees and the musicians in De-
| trot. No solution of the difficulty was
arrived at.
| President Gompers' address was as
| follows:
ION every side We see the splendid
| evidences of our efforts in the improved
| economy and social condition of our
| people.
ut 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"
i President Gompers reviewed the
| growth of the order during the past
year. suggested that he should be au-
thorized to make another lecturing and
organizing tour III the lnleI-HlOuntd tain
states and added:
THE Western Federation of Miners,
though unaffiliated with the American
Federation of Labor at this time, could
no doubt be persuaded that their pres
ent affiliated positions render them La
bic to attacks from which they would
practically be free when thoroughly
organized and affiliated with their tel
low. workers under the banner of the
American Federation of Labor
Reviewing the events of the past year
at Wardner, Idaho, President Gompers
declared that from the best sources
available he learned that the destruc-
ton of the property of the Bunker
Hill and Sullivan mine was the act
of unorganized miners. OF the cor
railing of 1000 miners by the state au-
thorities, aided by General Merriam,
he said:
1.-THE whole proceeding is so outrage
Gus as to bring a blush of shame to
the cheeks of every liberty-loving
American. If. as alleged, the impris-
oned men are guilty they, at least
should be given a fair trial before