Omaha daily bee., 1902-11-14

9
The charge has been made that unions will
not abide by agreements, but this charge
is always made by men who are opposed to
union labor.
Wants Data on wages.
He asked for comprehensive data in re-
card to wages and employment in various
parts OF the country. referred TO the ac-
sceptance Of fraternal delegates 10 European
Tabor assemblies and welcomed those pres
ent from Europe. Canada and Porto Rico;
said that the Canadian Trades and Labor
congress was in line with the federation.
He referred at length to the experience OF
the federation organizer in Porto Rico and
said that the laws under which he had
been arrested had been repealed. Several
unions formed by the organizer have been
chartered by American national and inter-
national bodies, but the Carpenters union
has refused TO issue such charters and Mr..
Gompers asked for action in the matter
by the present convention.
In regard to the matter known as trade
autonomy and the Jurisdiction problem
Mr.. Gompers said in part:
Beyond doubt the greatest problem. the
danger which above all others threatens
not only the success, but the very exist
ence of the federation, is the question Of
jurisdiction. 1 believe that unless our af-
hnated, national and International unions
rhbsliiiaa az n ao distant fS4n f" day be e"i in the midst
Of an internecine contest unparalleled In
any era of the industrial world. There Is
scarcely an affiliated organization. which Is
not engaged in dispute with another orga-
nization upon the question Of jurisdiction.
Ii 1nIIns%G sP iywn Instances 6fssni smdP'GI SSoT fhs ares been ZEN
made to suffer from causes entirely beyond
5 1SSsr% foRsr0l; 9 9bS t 1thf5 eP RPTS rcfius seams tS
recognize either organization.
The president said that some of the min
ers had threatened TO withdraw from the
federation IL they we're not sustained. He
urged that action be taken to check indis-
eliminate attempts Of unions TO extend
jurisdiction without the consent Of organi-
nations already in existence, and that in
case OF attempts to secure decisions OF ON
GERS by correction the officers be prohibited
from proceeding In the matter and that the
threatening union be suspended until 1t has
withdrawn its threat. .
Army of Organizers.
Nearly 1000 organizers are in the field
for the federation, fifteen Of whori are on
salary all OF the time and the remainder
part of the time. The expense OF organic
ting unions during the year has been 1885,
217.75, not taking into account the expense
Of the national officers and of the legisla-
tive committees.
Mr.. Gompers discussed legislation af-
fecting labor. referring to the eight-hour
bill, which he said should be placed in the
hands OF a special committee; the anti
injunction bill, which he said should be
passed in the form in which It passed the
house, without the pending senate amend
ment; the convict labor bill, the Chinese
exclusion bill, saying that the present law
is defective and that the question should
be reopened by congress. He approved a
bill restricting immigration; denounced the
seaman's bill introduced in the house OF
representatives by Mr.. Allen of Maine; APP
plauded the enactment Of the bill to pro-
teet musicians from the competition of mil
itary and naval bands, and said that bills
prohibiting child labor should be enacted
by the states.
Referring to President Roosevelt and the
labor question, he quoted from the presi
dents message to congress, and said that
his words have been verified by his action
Unions Grow In Nuube
Frank Morrison's report as secretary,
which embodied much detail, was then
res". Its salient features we're as follows:
II covered the eleven months ended with
September 30. The federation's aggregate
income for this time was S144 ,49s and the
expenditures $l19 .0S6. OF the receipts $20,4 2S
consisted Of contributions to the defense
fund. During the period 1924 unions were
chartered, a larger number than for any
previous entire year, and making the total
number in the federation 1858, the average
membership numbering 1925. 800. The In
crease Of the defense fund tax had re-
suited benefcially and he advocated still
further increase OF the per capita tax.
Reports from international local unions
showed that there were 1858 strikes, In
which 412,S71 persons were involved. Out
OF that number 1852, 967 we're benefited and
14.016 we're not. The total cost Of the
strikes was $2.729. 6O4. In the federation
there we're 217 strikes, Of which l91 were
won. forty-eight compromised and twenty.
seven lost. Ten we're still pending wher
the report was prepared. The number o.
persons involved in the strikes wa "a, $50
Of whom 2O.654 we're benefited and 2,63;
worsted. The cost, OF the strikes in thu
way OF money expended by the unions wal
$s0,053. Two hundred and sixty-four trade
and federal unions reported gains in wages
one union reporting a gain of 81 per day
One hundred and fifty unions reported re
duction OF hours.
tn report submitted by the nationa
treasurer, John b. Lennon, showed tn,
total receipts OF the order for the entir,
year TO have been $152, 312 and the tota
expenses S120, 0s6.
Mr.. Gompers here introduced Mayo
Samuel NJ. Jones OF Toledo. o., who de
livered a short speech, which pleased tn
delegates greatly.
The report OF the executive committe
= ~
and the convention adjourned.