The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-12
FEDERATION or LABoR MEETS.
Delegates There Represent Member
ship of Nearly 500, 900.

gates, representing ali branches of trade
unionism. with an estimated total member
ship of nearly 10000, were seated az writ
ing tables, scattered over the floor Of
Harmonic Hall to-day when the nineteenth
annual convention of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor was called TO order.
In the absence of both President Com
pers ana Vice President Mcclure, the
gathering was called to order by James
Duncan of Baltimore. second vice presi-
dent MIR. Duncan announced that Mr.
Gompers was stil suffering severely from
a dislocated knee and other injuries re-
suldng from a recent wagon and street
car collision in Washington. and possibly
might not be able TO attend the conven-
ton
After the adoption of a resolution Of
sympathy for President Gompers the an
nuS report of President Gompers was
read by Vice President Duncan. The fol-
lowing are extracts from MIR. Gompers'
report:
The organized labor movement not only
works for the ma terial, moral, political
ana social Improvement of the organized
workers, but It is the lever by which
these conditions for the unorganized are
improved, and constitutes the most potent
FACTOR in ameliorating the conditions of
the whole human family. and bringing
the day OF final deliverance from all in
Justice and wrong so much the nearer.
For the first time in the history of
our federation we have not been closely
pressed for means to carry on the work of
organization. Pursuant to the instruc-
lions of the last convention we have placed
a In AL
tlcularly i'm the South and the inter-moun-
tam country of the West and the results
have more than justified our action The
workers of Inc South are manfesting their.
appreciation of our efforts by forming
unions, and uniting with our fellow-work-
ers in all parts of the country They
realize, as we do, that there IL no hone
for che protection or advancement of the
tollers. and no hope for the perpetuation
or the liberties of our people, unless the
workers of our country are united mate
rally and morally. presenting solid pha-
lanX of the organized forces of labor
touching shoulders, marching onward and
upward. overcoming ignorance, prejudice
ana opposition, no matter by whom mani
tested or presented.
Many efforts have been made to reduce
the hours of labor, and though universal
success has not attended us, vet every eff
fort made has resulted i'm tangible i'm
pioNShltHl LOT large numbers of our fell
low-toilers.
'Inasmuch as there Is no other proposl-
ton made which Is so far-reaching in its
benehcent effect and influence upon the
human family or is economically so sound
as Is the movement to reduce the hours of
TABOR; and IN view of the fact that the
present industrial conditions warrant and
demand that tangible practical, aggressive
and definite action be taken to bring about
a shorter work day for all, II is respect
fully submitted to the convention that a
renewed and concentrated effort be made
to secure the further reduction i'm the
hours of labor of all who toll. A special
committee should be appointed in the early
part of this convention TO sit during its
session for the purpose of making investi-
cation and recommending a timely plan
and scope of action. The Granite Cutters
National Union has declared for the gen
eral enforcement OF the eight-hour- work
day in that trade in 1900; and the American
Federation of Labor. at its last convention.
gave that movement its emphatic indorse-
ment. We should view the entire labor
situation, and ascertain whether we ought
to make the movement more general
within the past year a state federation
of labor has been formed In Georgia: and
as the result of the activity of the trade
unionists of that state, aided by the Amer
lean Federation of Labor officers and ar
bbtiiHttSs a Diil, liDllliIlR tfle hours OF Ia
Dor of children to sixty per week has
passed one house of the state Legisla-
ture, and Is now pending in the other
Our general organizer has been directed
10 proceed to the capital, and to remain
there, If necessary, until the adjournment
of the Legislature, in order to secure the
enactment of the bill. 1t Is recommended
that this convention pass resolution ex-
pressive of Its judgment upon this neces-
sary and humane proposition and that
the same be promptly transmitted TO the
Governor and to the Legislature of Geor-
gia.
Speaking of the recent acquisition of
the United States as a result of the war
with Spain, that part of the report con-
cludes:
THE question of these islands and the
peoples therein, the principles involved
the interests at stake, are of vital mo-
ment to us and TO them; but beneath it
all there is the purpose of those VINO have
lost faith in the principles of our repub-
lie, those who have no confidence in or
reliance upon the honor, honesty and sta
bility of our people and our form of gov
eminent, and who aim to erect a throne
of desDotism upon the tomb of freedom.
whose initatory step is a large standing
army and who with rnllitarism rampant.
hope to crush out the memory of and
the aspiration for true liberty and free
dom for all our people"
The report of the Credentials Committee
announced that the brewery workers and
the stationery engineers had each with
drawn their protests against the others
being seated, and had expressed a willing
ness that their troubles go to the Commit
tee on Grievances.
The reports of Frank Morrison. secre-
tary, and John B. Lennon, treasurer, were
read.
The secretary's report showed an in
crease of 144,2S2 in the membership Of the
Federation during the year.
The treasurer's report showed an income
of $39,l4S.55 for the year, out of which
there is still left on hand cash balance
of s., 54933