The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1901-11-15

INDIANAPOLIS, 1nQ., NOV. l4.-Al the
national convention of the Knights Of La
Dor to-day General Master Workman ST.
mon Burns submitted his annual report,
which consisted largely Of an attack on
the American Federation of Labor. The
general executive committee and Secre-
uary-TreaSurer Hays also reported.
General Master Workman Burns in his
annual message said:
The first great struggle between organized
labor and great trust was between the Am
algamated Association of Iron and Steel Work
and the UNITED States Steel Corporation. 1t
matters not what errors and mistakes are
charged to the officers and members of the
Anal gamated Association; the facts are that
the steel companies were victorious because OF
treachery and failure of organized labor TIC do
its duty. The Amalgamated Association ex-
pected at least the friendship of the officers
and members of the American Federation of
Labor. They received nothing but deception
and opposition. 1t is a question If the Am
algamated Association would have entered
the contest under the circumstances if it were
from the members of the American Federation
OF Labor to assist them for what they believed
to be right.
Scores Federation Leaders.
During the last great strike of the coal
public, the Knights of Labor and other indie
pendent labor organizations contributed more
10 the financial aid and success of the miners
than the federation, yet the federation re-
ceived the credit, and in return they attempt
to disrupt organizations better than theirs.
with the American Federation of Labor, after
their local organizations refused to contribute
dependent labor organizations for the purpose
OF helping the Amalgamated Association men
who were affiliated with them. If they had
secured any money, or If the steel strike had
been won by the workers, the federation would
have claimed the credit. The officers and
members of this great Federation of Labor
had the opportunity of their lives to demon
strate what they. with their great numbers,
could do; but through fear of their organ
izat;on the influence brought to bear on
some of them they failed to prove themselves
worthy of the name of organized labor.
Any organization or law that prevents or
opposes the helping of organized labor fnan-
cIally when IN need had better be wiped out
Ire leaders of the American Federation Of
LSbor did not want President Shaffer or his
organization to win because it might have
some prestige and prominence. The largest
political organization to-day is the Federation
OF Labor using the name of labor for adj
Nanclng few men politically to the great in
jury OF the many. Any labor organizatio
that advances or benefits the wage-earner
should be encouraged, but such political or
ganization, using the workingmen for a blind
should be known by its true name and repu-
tation
In the city of Pittsburg. the greatest indus
trial city of the world, organized labor has
Deea Working IN harmony accomplishing some
good In Its labor league, where all organiZa-
tons were welcome members regardless ~
whom they might be affiliated with, until a
lew months ago. when the paid organizers and
the national officers of the federation started
movement to disrupt the labor league Of
' - 1eHiiSS INdnld' WHICH has existed for
she years. IheV made a special attack on
the Knights of Labor, and without any good
reason IhiS movement of theirs like some
other OF their actions. will react against them
Legislation of Trusts.
The great combinations of capital known as
trusts should receive careful consideration
OF an wage workers, the merchant, business
made that they help financially to the
wage worker is denied by many and agree
with the number that say that they are in
curious and will grow more SO as thew proTv
older. There are a few combinations that era
better and more favorable to workers than
otners, put the reasons are because of the con-
dltlons existing in a few trades that do not
exist III many others. If combinations or
trusts were formed for the purpose of sec,r-
ing fair return the actual amount of cant
tai invested and not to depreciate the number
then they might be considered a benedt IN The
wage workers. The Government that erante
them franchises and charters should restrict
ana control them, and the people should con-
which they do not do at the present time Re-
fore the election the voters are the neonIa and
the Government: after the election the politi-
clans are the Government, the people, judiciary
Some argue that trusts and combinations
cheaper the product to the consumer and in
some cases give good wages to their employees
This may be true, but that does not benefit
the majority Of the people. 1t is not cheap
products and cheap living the majority of the
people require, but high wages and steady en-
pigment When the mechanic and wage
worker is steadily employed at good wages he
can afford to pay high prices to the farmer
storekeeDer and merchant. Labor is not an
tagonistic to capital except when it becomes
fere. restricting and controlling trusts those
large combinations Of capital will control the
Government and the people
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