The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-11-27
In Labor's Field.
BACK FROM BOSTON
M. +. Neary, Delegate to A. +. Of I.
Convention Tells Of the
Work Done.
Convention Without Doubt the Best
in History Of the Or
ganization.

The best and most important labor
convention ever held That Is the
way M, 3. Neary. delegate to the
American Federation of Labor con-
ventton expressed himself when asked
about the big labor gathering recently
held In Boston.
Viewed from every standpoint the
convention was far ahead of anything
OF the kind ever held in this country,
or any other. The American Fedora
ton Is stronger and more influential
It's membership practically ali organ
lied trades, The Importance and
strength of the federation cannot be
overestimated, there being in Septem-
Der, 1903. about 100000 revenue
paying members, and since that time
something like 100000 have been
added. The effect of trade unions
upon. the prosperity Of the country is
ful investigation fails to show that
these organizations are injurious to the
best interests Of wOrkmen and the ma
ton. President Gompers ably
answered any criticism which might
be made concerning the influence Of
unions when he said:
There are indications that the era; of
industrial activity which we have enjoyed
during the past few years has reached the
food tide. in that there is now somewhat
OF a reaction. Already we see some con-
traction Of industry by which workmen
have been rendered idle. 1t is true that
the change: is not pronounced, but it is
sufficiently evident for notice and deserves
our considerations More especially should
this receive out attention since quite re-
Gently, acting upon the cue given by our
pronounced antagonists, the 4 capitalist
press has underworld to place upon our
movement the responsibility for the in
dustrial reaction. That the charge is un-
true, is fully capable of proof II
"A commendable spirit of con-
servatisn characterized the proceed
lngs OF the convention, and we believe
the impression, has been made upon
the public that the federation is wise
ly managed and that all industrial
questions are treated with an evident
intent to: decide for the best interests
and welfare of the American work
men. That the federation is not mar
row-minded when the interests of
workingmen in general are being con-
$1,000 was appropriated to the strik-
ing western miners, who are members
of a rival labor organization and are
doing all in their power to build up an
institution to take the place of the
A. r. of l..
the convention was the provision for
the appointment by future conventions
of committee Of fifteen from the
building trades unions to handle dis
putes arising within those organiza-
lions. This action was urged by the
representatives of the building crafts
in order that. questions affecting the
various trades might receive consid-
Grafton atathei hands OF those thereby
conversant with them. Two new
members were added tosthe executives
council of the federation, Daniel
O'Keefe of the & Longshoremen's
union, and w. J. Spencer Of the United
trade matters coming before the ex-s
ecutive council Of the federation be-
tween sessions will be looked after by
the latter.
President Gompers in speech be-
fore the convention went on record as
opposing sympathetic strikes by
unions except in extreme cases. @
THE old controversy between the
Brewery Workers union and the
unions Of the engineers and firemen
was settled by the convention which
reaffrmed the agreement entered into
between those organizations in Janu-
ary Of this year at Cincinnati.
Socialism occupied large share
of the attention Of the convention and
there were many spirited discussions
between the socialist leaders and their
opponents. The socialists were over
whelmingly showed under when their
resolutions came up to be voted upon.
"The convention went on record as
favoring the direct election of the
members of the cabinet, United States
senator's and the supreme judges and
attorney general of each state by
popular vote. Woman suffrage, also,
received favorable action.
"a committee from the American
Federation will visit the Western
/ Miners association this year, with a
view to bringing that body into the
| organization"