The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-12-12

DETROIT, Dec. 11.-Nearly 200 del
egates, representing all branches Of
trade unionism, with an estimated total
membership of nearly 100000, were
present at Harmonic Hall to-day when
the nineteenth annual convention of the
American Federation of Labor was
called to order.
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
severely from injuries resulting from
a bicycle accident at Washington, and
possibly might not be able to attend
the convention.
In compliance with the Federation
rules, prohibiting speeches by outsiders
no welcomes We're rendered by Officials
of the city or State. The only address
of this character was by Herbert j.
Greville, President of the Detroit Coun-
ell of Trade and Labor Unions.
Vice President Duncan, responding to
the welcome, said that the convention
is the largest meeting of organized
labor representatives ever held in the
United Staes, besides containing atfili-
ated delegates from across the sea and
from 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 protest
ing against the credentials of the Sta
tionary Engineers and Firemen.
All the other delegates were declared
seated.
After adoption of a resolution of SYM
pathy for President Gompers, the an
nual report of the President was read
by Vice President Duncan.
'sOn every side" said President Com
pers in his address, I'VE see the splendid
evidences of our efforts in the improved
economic and social condition of cur
people. When the present Industrial
activity first manifested itself, en-
ployers generally sought to increase the
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.
ut is beyond question that the wages
of 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 unOr-
ganized labor from the industrial revi-
val has been longer hours of daily labor
with additional burdens to bear"
President Gompers reviewed the
growth of the order the past year, sug-
costing that he should be authorized to
make another featuring and organizing
tour in the intermountain region of the
West.
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 property of the Bunker Hill and
Sullivan mines was the act OF unor-
gained miners.
OF the corraling of 1000 miners by
the State authorities. aided by General
Merriam, he said: 1.-THE whole pro-
ceeding is SO outrageous as to bring g
blush of shame to the cheeks of every
hberty-loving American. If, as alleged,
the imprisoned men are guilty, they at
least should be given a fair trial before
jury of their peers, confronted with
their accusers, and, if guilty, punished
if innocent, they should be given their
liberty and their wrongs should be re-
dressed"
President GomperS urged renewed
and concentrated effort" to bring about
q reduction of the hours of toll in all de-
partments of labor. He suggested that
the convention authorize an investiga-
ton in regard to the eight-hour law of
Colorado, which the Supreme Court of
the State declared to be unconstitu-
tional, land if there be good grounds
for an appeal to the United States SUI
preme Court, such an appeal should be
taken by the American Federation OF
Labor, in cooperation with organized
labor of Colorado"
He recommended that the Federation
protest against the passage of any
blacklist bill, unless it contains pro-
vision which shall, in distinct terms, ex-
clude from it's provisions workmen or
ganized In any association or union
having for its object the advancement
of wages, reduction of hours, or other
improvements in the condition of its
members"
After the conclusion of the reading
of President Gompers' report the con-