The San Francisco call., 1904-11-15
MUCH SPEECH
MAKING THAT
GETS CHEERS
Lyric Hall Is Gay
With Many Flags
of Nation.
UeLcOmeS GiOen
VitriOIiC Phrases In
troduCed by the
Speakers.
UeLcOmeS Gi0en

About 1890 o'clock yesterday fore
noon Samuel GOmpers, president Of the
American Federation of Labor, brought
down an ebony gavel with resounding
thwack on a table in Lyric Hall, and
with that the twenty-fourth annual
convention Of the organization was
called 10 order
There have been conventions Of the
federation in q number Of other Ameri-
can cities. but this is the first ever held
in San Francisco. Local interest was
therefore intense. The day was filled
pD with events relating TO the fedora
fion and the topics that concern it.
In the forenoon there was a glad
hand session, in which welcome was
extended and duly acknowledged. In
The afternoon President Gompers. Sec
retary Frank Morrison and Treasurer
John b. Lennon had the floor TO them
selves. ana they took up the convention
time making annual reports
8n the evening a reception 70 Presi-
,.enr- froCan-le was gwen at Pioneer
Hall by the retail clerks. At the Al
hamhra a. mass-meeting took place, at
tended by the Carmen's Union and
eight branches Of the Butchers Union.
AT Native sons Hall the machinlsts
gave a high iinks 10 James Q Conneu
and other delegates.
Sessions Of the American Federation
Of Labor often are stormy. There was
a sign of trouble when the convention
came together yesterday. and there VIII
undoubtedly be lively scenes before the
work ends The cloud that hung in the
sky yesterday was owing 10 the ques-
tiOns about the Chicago Federation Of
Labor. This body, so its leading men,
bers say, has a membership Of some
thing like 200 900. It is ia trouble with
the American Federation Of Labor.
Yesterday its president. Schardt Of Chi
caR0, sat intentlv listening while the
committee on credentials reported. On
the face Of the report Schardt and his
many followers We're not even given
mention. They We're not accredited as
being entitled TO have delegates on the
floor Schardt arose and quietly asked
what was meant by the report He was
informed that organizations that were
not reported by the credentials com
mittee al that time would be given
special report later With that he sat
down. and nothing additional de-
veloped openly regarding the Chicago
organization
SOCIALISTS ARE EAGER
Socialism viii be brought up for dis
cussion before the convention ad-
5ourns. Just when this viii take place
no one seems TO know It may be in
IrCduced in some form to-day All OF
yesterday prominent Socialists We're in
the spectators gallery and they were
taking very lively interest in the
proceedings, frequently exchanging
comments and speculations among
themselves.
At one particular spot there were at
least a dozen Socialists who have been
well known all over the city during
fro rnf CIT =
There are Socialists as delegates on
the floor. Socialism has been before
The convention Of the American Fed
Grafton OF Labor before and has been
defeated. Since then the Socialists
have succeeded In polling many more
votes than ever before at a general
election.
II is no secret that some Of the
more ardent Socialists believe that this
IS the opportune time 10 try to see If
they can get the federation to indorse
their IDEAS Socialism and the Chi
cagO dificulty were the leading themes
Of conversation in the convention lob
bies yesterday.
Mixed with the speeches at the
opening OF the proceedings Of welcome
1n the forenoon yesterday was the Gus
t0mary sound OF sharp words. Presi-
dent Gompers and President Nc
Carthy Of the Building Trades Coun-
CA we're noLe4 IN LtlS regard Inc du-
oience applauded with hands. boot
heels and voices when hard raps were
given. The. most applause went to
where there was a show Of fight
against those who are considered by
the federation toE be its enemies or in
denunciatiOn Of the Governor of Colo
radO and the Citizens Alliance.
AT the forenoon session a band Of
music enlivened the beginning Of the
proceedings. II marched out ahead Of
President Gompers. his Official asso-
ciates and the delegates from the Russ
House. II held the fort in the con-
vention hall until the noon recess.
The first tune in the hall was MY own
United States" from the opera of
when Johnny Comes Marching
Home" To this all the proceedings
Of The day were attuned.
FLAGS IN QUANTITIES.
American flags were everywhere. on
the table Of President Gompers, on the
tables at which the secretary of the
convention and the British and Can
adam delegates sat, looped up on the
front Of the stage, at the back of the
stage, where two large flags fanked
a large picture Of Gompers. Then