The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-12-06
FEDERATION OF
LABOR MEETS
TWenty-first Annual Session at
Scranton, Pa.
PRESIDENT GOMPERS' REPORT
DECLARES ORGANIZATION TO BE
IN A GOOD CONDITION.

IN A GOOD CONDITION..
Scranton, Pa, Dec. 5.--Two hundred
and eighty-five delegat ties, representing
more than 100000 workmen, respond
ed to the roll call at the opening ses-
sion of the twenty-hrst annual con-
vention Of the American Federation of
Labor, which was called to order by
President Samuel Com eTs in St.
Thomas college at 1890 o'clock this
morning. The convention is said to be
the largest congress of w0rkmen ever
held in this country.
Organization. settlement OF questions
involving contested seats, and the read
ing of the annual report of the Dresi-
dent, secretary and treasurer took up
the entire session Of the convention.
During the course of the day there was
one surprise sprung on the delegates,
and one important decision was also
made. The surprise came in the form
of an objection to the seating Of the
United Mine Workers delegates be-
cause of an alleged arrear in their per
capita tax. The motion was over
ruled by an almost unanimous vote Of
the delegates.
The important question decided re-
lated to the contested seat Of the dele
gate from the Central Labor Union Of
Richmond, Va which body refused TO
admit negro wOrkmen to its Organiza-
ton. The dispute was adjusted by
seating the Central Labor Union repre-
sentative and instrueting the executive
board of the American Federation Of
Labor to form a strong central union
for colored men.
Objects to Delegation.
When the names of the delegates rep
resenting the United Mine Workers Of
America We're reached on the roll, a stir
was caused by c. L. Shamp of Chicago,
international secretary treasurer Of the
Brotherhood Of Stationary Firemen,
objecting to their being seated. He
maintained that the Mine Workers
were not entitled TO representation in
the convention because the per capita
tax of $4,000 had not been paid to the
Federation.
President Mitchell of the Mine Work
ers replied that while his organiZa-
ton was not asking for special privi-
leges, several thousand Of its members
were on strike almost continually for
the past two years, and he SAID he had
asked the executive board to remit the
levy because the miners had paid an
assessment of $1,000 for the aid Of
the machinists. He said If the commit
tee decided that his organization was
in arrears he would Immediately draw
a check for the amount due. The mat
ter went no further, and by an almost
unanimous vote the coal miners rep
resentatives were seated.
Negro Question Up.
The negro question came before the
in the shape of a report
of the committee on credentials. VIII
liam Z. Seal was elected by the Cen
trail Labor Union Of Richmond to rep
resent it at the convention. 1t ap-
pears that the Richmond central body
refused to admit to membership negro 1
wOTkmen belonging to the COlOred To- (
bacco Workers unions in Richmond. /
Henry Fischer, president of the Ma
tlonal Tobacco Workers Union, was
instructed by two local colOred unions
Of Richmond to oppose the seating Of /
Seal on the ground that the Organi- /
zation he represented drew the color /
line.
The committee heard both sides and /
that Seal be seated, and I
also recommended that the executive /
board Of the American Federation Of /
Labor be instructed TO form a separ- /
ate negro central union in Richmond. 1
The Recommendation were accepted by /
he convention without opposition.
The reading of the annual report of /
President Gompers consumed three /
hours. Secretary MoTrison's report 4
ana that of Treasurer John 3. Lennon /
we're also read. They were referred to ]
committees and ar p. m. the COnven- J
ion adjourned until 3 O'Clock tOmOr-
'ow morning.
Increase In Unions.
Mr.. Gompers' report showed an in
rease of 81 local unions for the year
md a gain of 364, 40 members. From
RATIONAL and international unions and
he federation direct. there were is
ued 4,056 charters for newly formed
lnicns and charters surrendered or
Inions disbanded numbered 1,150. on
oct. 81 last, there were affiliated with
he federation eighty-seven national
md international unions, 32l city cen
raj labor unions, twenty state fedora
ions of labor, $50 local trades unions, /
nd 399 federal labor unions. There
we're four strikes Of d general char
Cter during the year. About these
he report says:
THAT of the river and dock workers
f San Francisco was a distinct vic
DRY. The purpose for which the strike
f the Amalgamated Association of
teel and Iron Workers was inaugU-
ated was not achieved, and it was
erminated upon conditions less adj
analogous than perhaps could have
een obtained.
owing to the widespread interest
his strike aroused, a large number of
ron and steel workers employed by
Their companies than the corporation
gainst which the strike was inaugu-
ated have been organized under the
Jurisdiction of the Amalgamated asso-
istiOn. The hope is entertained, too,
hat the day is near at hand when ev-
Tyone employed at the various
ranches of industry and coming I'M
er the jurisdiction Of the Amalga-
lated association may be enrolled as a
member, prepared to defend and pro-
note the interests Of the entire craft
nd to further the great cause for
-hich we unite and federats, the
ause Of human justice.
Got Nine-hour Rule.
Officers of the International Asso-
iation of Machinists report that their
trike has very largely succeeded in
establishing the nine-hour rule IN that
rade. They claim the settlements ! :
cached have given $4,000 maohinists a
nOTter workday, 5000 others are af- S
ected by compromises reached, and +,
1000 machinists viii receive an aver
&c Of % cents a day increase in
1t also recommends authorizing a
lmmitfao In meet With III. ra1orasarL- I