The Grit-advocate., 1904-11-18
LABOR COUNCIL
AMERICAN FEDERATION MEETS
Delegates From All Parts of the coun-
try in Convention at San Fran
cisco.-Report Of President
Gompers.

San Francisco Nov. 1.-THE Ameri-
can Federation of Labor met yesterday
/ in its twenty-fuurth annual convention
Delegates from every part OF the
United States and representatives
from Porto Rico. England and Canada
We're present. The hall was beauti-
! fully decorated in the national colors.
delegates being seated in sections ac-
cording 10 the states they represented
| The entire time of the morning ses-
sion was taken up with the delivery
and reply to speeches OF welcome.
The afternoon session was opened
with the reading by President Samuel
Gompers OF his annual address. Dur
ing the delivery the speaker was fire.
quently Interrupted by bursts Of ap-
plause. He said:
From october l, 1902, to September
80. 1904, we issued from the American
Federation of Labor the following char
ters:
International unions ...... IL
State federationS NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 8
Central labor unions .............. 80
Local trade unions and federal la
Dor unions. Observation-Disclosures. 1928
Aotdi .ffS
Eight of these international unions
were organized by us from formerly al
filiated chartered local unions during
the past year. A number OF interna-
tional unions have become amalgam-
ated with other international unions
kindred to their trade. At the end OF
the fiscal year. September 30. 1904.
there were affiliated to the American
Federation of Labor:
I,,fo
State federations s........ 81
Central labor unions. ns.............. 56y
Local trade unions and federal la
Dor unions. ....................1
The average membership of our al
fliated unions upon which per capita
tax has been paid to the American
Federation of Labor for the year end
In September 80, 1904, is 1,G76.00O.
THE labor movement of Canada has
advanced and is progressing, keeping
full pace with the movement of the
remainder of the American continent
At the recent Congress held in Mon
treal the officers were enabled to report
an increase in the membership of the
unions of $500 over the preceding year;
l0dl lueTe Was tuGIl Ill eACeSoS III LdU-
ada 1887 local unions"
President Gompers thus enumerated
the accomplishments of the federation
during the past year:
"First-Wage reductions have been
checked.
"Second-The industrial situation
has not become acute, as was the uni
form course formerly.
''Third-Much idleness. poverty, SUI
fering and misery have been prevented.
"Fourth-The era of industrial stag
nation, as compared with former like
has been shortened.
"Fifth-The prospect for a revival OF
Industry and commerce in the future is
as compared with any similar
previous period.
''Sixth-There is less acute feeling OF
unrest among workmen and employers
generally, business men AMI all our peo-
Pile.
"Seventh-There are more workmen
and employers in agreement and under
standing.
"Eighth-There is a more general ef-
fort to bring about more rightful rela-
tons between workmen and employers
"Ninth-There is better conception
Of the rights and duties of man to man.
a more general satisfaction among our
people with the present, and a more
gratifying and hopeful outlook for the
future"
When President Gompers finished he
was greeted with prolonged cheering.