Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-16

no idea Of abandoning the helm at this
time. Before leaving Washington for San
Francisco he was shown by Star re-
porter a clipping from labor paper
which stated that he was to be retired
in order that he might accept the govern
ment portfolio of Commissioner of La
Dor when that place becomes vacant. He
said that the statement made by the la
Dor organ was "bosh,' and otherwise in
Dictated that he had no intention of retir-
ing from the head of the federation.
James Duncan, general secretary of the
Granite Cutters, has been named as Mr..
Gcmpers' probable successor. Some of his
closest friends, however, have declared that
h. is in no sense candidate for the pres
idercy.
In his annual report delivered at the open
ing Of the San Francisco convention Mr..
Gompers had this to say on the subject of
jurisdiction:
Notwithstanding every effort to help in
the solution Of the disputes relative to trade
union jurisdiction, much progress cannot
be reported. In the case of the Internal
tional Association of Allied Metal Mechan-
les and the other machinery and metal
trade unions you will be gratifed, 1 am
sure, to be officially advised that by con-
ciliatory spirit manifested by all directly
interested, in addition to- the voluntary
self-effacement of the officers of the Allied
Metal Mechanics, that international asso-
citation, November 1, 1904. amalgamated
with and became part of the International
Association Of Machinists.
TT also affords me pleasure to be enabled
to report to you that the effort to eliminate
a source of constant friction and conflict
in the carpentry trade will in short time,
l firmly believe, be crowned with success.
At our recommendation the United Broth
erhood of Carpenters and Joiners of Amer
lea and the American District of the Anal
gamated Society of Carpenters and JoinerS
submitted their matters of difference to ar
bitration, selecting Mr. A. Strasser as UNI
pire. His award made provision for a rd-
I'D 1xyn, far nf a lCrl
nation. providing in the meantime for a
working agreement, which in the main has
been faithfully complied with. l am ad-
vised that the United Brotherhood has In
structed its president to appoint commit
tee to meet like committee of the Anal
gamated Society for the purpose of ar
ranging the details of the amalgamation
and to submit the same to a referendum
vote of the membership of the brotherhood
for ratification; that the Amalgamated So
ciety is now voting upon the proposition,
the highest authority in that organization
having favorably recommended 1t to the
membership. If this be ratified and ANAL
gamation occur, which we earnestly hope
will be done. one great source of conten-
ton will have disappeared from labor
field of usefulness. The matter Is more fully
covered in the executive councils report.
mo observing, experienced and faithful
II ade unionst believes that hard and fast
rule Of jurisdiction can be proclaimed and
enforced which will apply with exacttude
ent conditions, circumstances and environ
ments In most instances, and each must
be approached. considered and determined
with particular reference to Its immediate
and kindred trade, occupation and develop
ment.
Our trade union movement, which deals
with conditions as they arise and takes ad-
vantage of experience to turn 1t to the best
account of our fellow workmen, may not
be so alluring; 1t may not bear the apparent
glamour and dash which some would have
the labor movement assume. but ours is
the movement Of labor. founded upon the
historic development of the toilers' asso-
ciated effort; it battles in labor's interests
today. and is marshaling the forces Of
united labor in its regiments and battal!ons
the better to defend. the better to with
stand the better to maintain. the better to
clear the pathway for safer and more
successful advance tomorrow and tomor-
row."
John O'Donnell, labor commissioner of
Minnesota has just issued report on the
female laborers OF that state, in which he
took up the work Of every department sepa-
rateiy and dealt with 1t infinitely. The
most serious criticism In the report Is on
the employment Of child labor in slaughter
houses, and the report deals extensively
with the employment of young girls in de-
partment stores and factories who do not
receive a sufficient wage. Regarding the
girls employed In the big stores. etc, In
Minneapolis and st. Paul, he says:
minneapolis is the largest city in the
state, and 1T ID here more than in any other