Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-15
MR., GOMPERS' REPORT
Made to American Federation
of Labor
AT SAN FRA NCISCO
CRITICISES ENEMIES OF ORGAN
lied LABOR.
Shows Large Increase in Membership
From an Original
Chart.


past year was filed with mOmentous events
to organized labor.
Dispute 1t as some may, he says, we
are conscious, and history Will accord US
the credit, of being the natural ana ra-
tional crystalliZed effort of the masses 10
abolish wrong and injustice; to attain JUS
tice and right by the most peaceful, evoiu-
tionary and humane method.
1.-The constant Improvement IN macnin
cry the division, subdivision and speciali-
cation of labor, the wonderful development
In industry, and the concentration OF
wealth. give to the wealth possessors sucn
extraordinary power, which, when coupled
with the cunning and greed for gain. I'M
less intellgently and comprehensively met
by a well-organized labor movement, Will
tend to the deterioration of our race, the
destruction of all our achievements, and
the dissipation of all our hopes.
Responds to Critics.
President Gompers states that the enc
mics of organized labor take JUNCTION to
their souls that the slight falling off in
membership in the trade union movement
for brief period within the past year was
the beginning of the decline of the organic
ed labor movement of our country
"Our opponents must lamentably fall to
prove to the toilers that their freedom is
curtailed or impaired in becoming organized
when the workers themselves have the In
disputa BILE proof of their enjoyment Of larg-
eF VISION, OCCaSlOneQ Dy IeWeF hours VI
daily. burdenSome toll, our antagonists
must also fail to impress upon the wives
and the children of workmen that the free
dom of action of their husbands and faith
ers is impaired when they themselves en-
joy the fruits of brighter homes, more ma
terial improvements, and the opportunities
of leisure and education.
Prom October l, 1903, to September 80,
ton of Labor the following charters: In
ternational unions, IL: state federations, 5;
central labor unions, 80; local trade unions
and federal labor unions, 32S. Total, 443.
AT the end of this fiscal year, Septem-
Der 80, 1904" President Gompers states.
there were affiliated with the American
Federation of Labor the following:
International unions consisting approx
nately of $1,000 local unions). 120 state
fedeFations of labor. 80; central labor
unions, $50: local trade unions and federal
labor unions, 1,271. Total, 1892
1.-The average membership of our affiliated
urionS upon which per capita tax has been
paid to the American Federation of Labor
for the year ending September 80, 1904, is
1676.DO.
1.-The average membership of our affiliated
unions upon which per capita tax was
paid to the American Federation of Labor
for the year ending September 80, 1903,
was I, 49,, S00'
Increase in Mem bership.
An Original chart which accompanies
President Gompers' report showse that the
membership of the federation has increas-
ed from $1,000 members in 1881 to LOO, 900
In 1904.
President Gompers cites as~the result of
asst years declaration of policy of resistance
to wage reductions:
First. Wage reductions have been
Second. The Industrial situation has not
become acute, as was the uniform course
formerly.
Third Much idleness. poverty, suffering
and misery have been prevented
Fourth. The era of Industrial stagna-
ton, as compared with former like condi-
tons. has been shortened.
Fifth. The prospect for a revival in in
dustry and commerce in the future is
brighter, as compared with any similar pre-
vious period.
Sixth. There is less acute feeling of I'M
rest among workmen and employers gen.
orally, business men and all our people.
Seventh There are more workmen and
employers in agreement and understanding.
Eighth. There is more general effort
to bring about more rightful relations be-
tween workmen and employers.
Ninth. There is a better conception of
the rights and duties of man to man, a more
general satisfaction among our people with
the present. and more gratifying and
hopeful outlook for the future.
Open Shop Agitation.
President Gompers pays his respects in
strong terms to the citizens alliances"
and their principal representative. D. NJ
Parry. and referring to ''the open shop"
agitation, says:
Employers have the right to make con-
tracts for labor. This right carries with
1t, also, the same rights of the workmen.
1t therefore follows that If the workers
have the right to sell their labor as they
see fit, they have also the right not to sell
1t to employers, unless 1t be through the
oil "a Iva 1re ", nf hn Ad
an illustration, L recently asserted that
every man has the right to say, will not
work for you unless you make contract
with the union to which belong and
agree to employ none but members of that
union To claim that he may not say
this is equivalent to saying that he must
sell his labor, not as he sees fit, but as
the employer sees fit. To this our oppo-
nents, the so-called citizens alliances. can
make no answer. Their policy consists of
evasion and wfllful misrepresentation of the
aims and purposes of organized labor. Of
the collective bargain, of the working
agreement. of the union shop"
Porto Rico literally translated in to Eng
fish reads. Port of Riches the name
given by a monarch of Spain. Now the mis-
homer OF their island mocks the people in
their grim and grotesque misery.
II strongly urge that every effort be
made not only by this convention, but also
pathizer, to help to the very best of his
ability the worthy workers of Porto Rico
to a realization of better and brighter
day
Eght-Hour Movement.
The report praises the eight-hour move
ment of the printers, and says not much
progress can be reported In the disputes rel
alive to trade union Jurisdiction. The al
lied metal mechanics, it is stated, on No
vember 1. 1904. amalgamated with and be-
came part of the International Association
of Machinists. 1t Is believed that "a source
Of constant friction and conflict in the car
pentry trade" will in a short time be elimi-
mated.
President Gompers deplores the war in
the far east and says the brunt of war is
upon the battlefield itself, but the bur-
his hope that International arbitration may
Convict Labor.
Renewed effort against con1ct labor is
urged; and it Is stated that the fedora
ton is strongly committed against the
policy of compulsory arbitration in any
form" Voluntary arbitration is favored.
Other bills now pending before Congress
are favored
The report favors the use of public
school buildings by labor unions in which
to hold their evening meetings. Refer
ring to the initiative and referendum,
The incorporation of trade unions is
strongly opposed, and President Gompers
expresses the appreciation of the Fedora
ton for the efforts of the labor press and