The labor world., 1899-12-23

representations or unions 1t was the
largest ever held in the history of the
American Federation Of Labor. The
net increase of membership in the
unions affiliated and those chartered
directly was 144500 and the financial
showing was also favorable. The old
officers were all unanimously re-elect-
ed. The following are the officers:
President, Samuel Gompers, of Wash
ington; vice president, P. J. Mcclure.
of Philadelphia; James Duncan, of
Boston, James O'Connell, Of Washing
ton; secretary, Frank Morrison, Of
Washington; treasurer, John B. Len
non, of Bloomington, III.
Louisville, KY, was selected as the
place for the next convention.
Next week we will give an account
Of the work done by the convention.
A noteworthy section of the annual
report of President Gompers to the A.
T.. Of L. is that pertaining to central
bodies and building trades councils"
He deprecates the condition existing in
many cities where building trades
councils are organized entirely separ-
ate from central bodies, and cites the
fact that where, such is the case or
ganiZed labor is rent asunder by the
two conflicting factions. The solidarity
OF all organized labor is strongly ad-
'vocated and in concluding his remarks
on that subject said:
1.-THE building trades councils hold
practically the same relations to CEN
trail bodies as do the union label
leagues in many of our cities! and it
is our bounden duty to cultivate the
closest and most fraternal relations of
all organized labor in order that the
greatest possible progress and success
may, be achieved. The suggestion is
therefore submitted that this conven-
tion recommend to all central labor
unions, trades assemblies and local fed
erations, wherever the same may be
necessary to authorize the formation of
building trades sections, union label
leagues and all the authority and juris-
1iction of the central bodies, and full
affiliation to the American Federation
Of Labor. - :&
President Gompers' reference to the
la Dor press in his annual report, pres
ents the necessity of support of this
means Of propaganda not nearly in for
chile enough language to convey the
| Importance, of: the same. Says Com
pers: S5: n. ~.
zone of the methods by which we
endeavor to accomplish the purpose OF
our movement lis laid and encourage
the labor papers. The extension and
efficiency of the labor press of America
is an excellent barometer Of the mar
svelous strides which have been made.
The few struggling labor papers in the
early days of the trade union move
ment helped to pave the way. Today
we have official trade papers and mag
azines appearing: monthly, and some
weekly, of a most creditable character.
There are but few Of our national and
international unions that do not pub
lish an official journal or magazine
| endowed with vast trade information
and rich in literary merit, -
"Those supplemented by the general
labor papers issued by local central
| bodies or through private enterprises to
espouse the cause Of labor in their re-
spective localities, rejecting the senti-
| ment Of the organized labor movement
in their respective centers, each vieing
with the other to do yeoman's service
| for the unification of the labor, forces
of the country, aid very largely, by
every, means within their power in
crystalizing. public opinion, SO that by
| peaceful and legal methods the inter
ests of all organized labor and hence
of all the people, may be advanced" 81
| According to Secretary Morrison's re-
! port. to the A.. F. of L. convention the
United Mine Workers gained 26,000
members during the past year; Bro
therhood Of Carpenters, $4,000; Long
shoremen, 5000; I. A: of NJ, 5,OO0y
Clerks, 5000; Metal Polishers, 1850; I.
| 4. u. 1892; BARRIERS, 3,134; Molders,
5000. All told 144,282 members were ad-
ded to the ranks of the organized
workers. The receipts of the A. F. OF
L. for 1899 exceeded those of the previ-
Gus year by s17,S62.9s; s6,373.66 was ex-
pended for organizing purposes. The
Federationist is not yet on a self-sus-
tanning basis, the expenses being $S621 19
greater than the receipts.
Fraternal Delegate Alexander willze,
Of Great Britain, in his address to the
COufcuIlUIl Clleu Tie great SlllueS lO-
ward a solid labor movement made in
that country during the past few years.
He laid great stress upon the necessity
of workers taking distinct political ac-
ton. The absence of lady delegates
was a surprise to him and the asser-
ton that in British trade congresses
women were always in evidence was
received with applause.
James H. Asian, the other British
fraternal delegate, charged the work
ingmen of both countries with being
Weakened. He said, the value of
trades unions was becoming apparent
and that the old doctrines were rapidly
giving way before the advancing and
intelligent ideas Of progressive union
ism.
The Canadian fraternal delegate.
David A. Carey, did not touch the poll
tical phase of the trade union move
ment, but he pointed out the fact that
through the trades unions the people
of three countries had become more
united. The interests of the working
people the world over are identical aud
the solidarity evinced in international
labor movement strikes terror tc cap
italism.
SOCIALIST TICKET.
The Socialist Labor party of Duluth