The Washington times., 1902-04-20
American Federation Urg-
es Workmen to Unite
in Opposition.
APPEAL FOR ORGANIZATION
Report of Special Committee Adopted
Executive Council Concludes Its De-
Neutrality-suspicious. for Leather
Workers National Union.

The sixth and last days session of the
executive council of the American FEEDER
alton of Labor was opened at 9 O'Clock
yesterday morning. all members being
present. The bills in regard to the exclu-
sion of Chinese laborers were taken up,
and resolution was adopted commenting
on the action of Congress in the matter.
President Gompers reported that the
decision of the Supreme Court of Porto
Rico in the case of Santiago Iglesias has
been favorable that he has been released,
and the right of organization accorded to
workmen.
Mr.. P. NJ. Draper. secretary of the
Canadian Trades and Labor Congress,
urged a closer affiliation among the
United States and the Dominion workers
and 1t was decided that the work of or
ganization and unity be prosecuted to the
fullest extent
Appropriations were made in aid of the
Leather Workers National Union, and
President Gompers empowered to appoint
organizers for several trades.
The executive council then adopted the
following report submitted to it by a
special committee:
Special Committees Report.
Washington, D. c., April 10. 1902.
ITO all wage workers of America, greet
ing:
''The constant struggle in which the
wage workers of our country are contin-
ually engaged for the attainment of their
rights, and the mitigation of the wrongs
they daily endure. renders it essential
that they organize. unite. and federate ir-
respective of trade. calling, nationality,
locality, sex, politics. color or religion.
''The hope for justice and right. now
and hereafter, as well as the perpetuation
OF liberty in our republican Institutions,
lies in organized labor.
Individual effort of the wage earners
in this day of concentration of industry
and wealth Is absurd, as we'll as suicidal.
The Question of Injunctions.
There are few contests in which the
toilers are engaged for improvement or
for the prevention of deterioration in
their condition unless injunctions are is
sued by the courts Of the most far-reach-
ing character, invading the legal and NOR
al rights of the workers to perform per-
lcGiiyf fkcSdi anu iesitlludtc dCtS " ChTfg
on their efforts to successful termina-
tion. -
"Injunctions of fragrant, unjustifiable
and outrageous character are continually
issued, and honest aw-abiding, and faith
fuI citizen workmen are thrust into prison
for periods OF from one to nine months.
.eThus far we have been unable tG per-
suade the Congress of the United States
to enact a law that shall protect the
rights aad liberty of people engaged in in
dustria disputes. and many of the courts
have in srpreted this failure on the part
of Congress to act as warrant and au-
thority to extend the use. or, more prop
erly speaking, the abuse of the writ of in
functions, SO that the scope of each writ
still further invades our constitutionally
guaranteed rights.
An Appeal to Workers.
"This impending and growing danger.
therefore, impels us to appeal to the
workers, and TO all people of our coun-
try, SO that the true feeling of all may
be expressed and registered; SO that the
public opinion of the people of our com
mon country may more definitely impress
itself upon the minds of our national
Congress and State Legislatures
with this object In view, we recon-
mend to all organized workers. in ma