The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-07
FEOERATIONOF LABOR MEETS
ANNUAL CONVENTION CALLED To
ORDER BY MIR. GoMPERs.
Conditions In Labor World Are Re-
viewed mt Length in Annual Adj
dress-Plea for Recognition of
the CoIored Wage workers.

LOUISVILLE, KY, Dec. 1.-THE twen-
tieth annual convention OF the American
Federation of Labor convened at i0:l5
O'Clock today in Music hall. with 2l7 dele
gates present. Among them were repre-
sentatives of the British trades union con-
gress and the Canadian trades and labor
congress. three women. delegates and two
colored.
President Gompers. in few words in
troduced William NJ. Higgins. editor of
the lrish-American,. of Louisville who de-
livered an address of welcome, to which
President Gompers replied.
Thomas Tracey, of Boston. chairman of
the committee on credentials. presented
report showing the committee had exam
ined the credentials of 2O5 delegates. rep
resenting sixty-one national and interna-
tional unions, ten state branches, forty
two central labor unions. fifty-nine local
trades unions and three foreign fedora
lions.
The report was adopted and the dele
gates seated
President Gompers then began his an
nual address. Mr.. Gompers said In part:
THE past year has witnessed a most re-
markable growth in organizations among
the workers. who have realized that there
Is no protection or hope for justice or
freedom in the future unless 1t results
from the unity of the wage-working
masses.
I'VE have issued direct from the great
American Federation of Labor during the
past year $40 charters-to national and in
ternational unions H. state declarations OF
labor 3, city central labor unions 96. local
trades unions (having no national organi-
zation) 4si: federal labor unions $50
We had at the end of the fiscal year.
October 81 1900 affiliated with the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor, national and in
ternational unions 50, state declarations le.
city central labor unions 20s. local trade
unions and federal labor unions 1851.
Conditions Reviewed.
THE more compact and better equipped
trade unions have come TO Joint agree
ments and cancellations between the work
men and the associated employers. and
only when Cancellation has failed has II
been necessary to resort to arbitration.
and then the only successful arbitration
was arbitration voluntarily entered into.
The more thoroughly the workers are
organized I'm their local and national
unions and federated by common bond.
policy and politics, the better shall we be
able 10 avert strikes and lock-outs, secure
cancellation and, II necessary. arbitration.
but II must be voluntary arbitration, or
there should be no arbitration at all
Realizing the necessity for the unity of
the wage-earners of our country. the
American Federation of Labor has upon
all occasions declared that trades unions
should open their portals to all wage
workers. irrespective OF creed, color, ma
tionalty, sex or politics.
Unless we shall give the negro workers
the opportunity TO organize and thus
place them where they can protect and
defend themselves against the rapacity
and cupidity OF their employers; unless
we continue the policy OF endeavoring to
make friends of them there can be no
question that they win not only be forced
down in the economic scale, and he used
against any effort by us for our economic
and social advancement, but race preju-
dice will be made more bitter and to the
injury of all.
Allen Contract Law.
'The alien contract labor law falls far
short 90 accomplishing what IL was orig
nially intended to do, for the reason that
violators of the law are easily and sys-
tematically coached how to pass the in
spection. The enactment of wise and
beneficent legislation in the interests OF
the toiling masses of the country must
still be demanded until all the wrongs
from which the toilers suffer are abated.
and greater progress can be made and
will be made. provided we are firm in our
determination to achieve II. unceasing In
our efforts and undivided in our course"
Al the conclusion of President Gompers'
address a recess was taken.
At the afternoon session Secretary
Frank Morrison presented his report,
which was unanimously adopted.
"The American Federation" said Secre-
tary Morrison. lis now In position, nu-
mericaily and financially, to accomplish
during the coming year more remarkable
results than have been achieved during
the present year Members OF unions are
beginning 20 realize that higher duties and
united action are necessary for success,
Treasurer John r. Lennon reported re-
ceipts of sT9,gTl and expenses OF SA.3I3.
The total funds on hand amount to xl2.30i
The chair appointed committees and the
convention adjourned until tomorrow
morning.