Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-08
Chicago Firemen Send Dele
gates to Washington.
ASSOCIATION MEETS
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION IN
SESSION HERE.
Addresses Today by Samuel Gompers
Frank Morrison and Others
Business Deferred.

fherc will he an echo of the big western
meat strike in Washington tomorrow, when
twenty five delegates to the seventh annual
convention of International Brotherhood OF
Stationary Firemen arrive here and par
ticipatc in the proceedings of that body.
which convened this forenoon at Typo
graphical Temple.
President Timothy Healy stated that af-
ter the packing house firemen went out on
the strike with the butchers and other en-
ployrs of the big meat plants. it was de-
cided that their delegates should not at
tend the convention now being held here.
This decision was reversed today and
President Healy received telegram this
forenoon announcing that the delega ton of
striking firemen had started for Washing
ton. They have been in the thick of the
great meat strike and will represent about
~ of the strikers. Their presence here
Will add interest to the convention. as they
have certain important matters to pre-
sent 10 the international body. 1t is said.
There was some delay In calling the con-
Nrntion of firemen to order today, and 1t
was nearly 80 o'clock when the chair
man raped for order. There were about
seventy-tive delegates in the hall. repre-
senting 3hHS stationary firemen in the
United States. Canada and British Column
bia.
No business was transacted at this pre-
liminary session. which was given up to
addresses by leaders In the labor move
ment. The first business session convened
1T 3 o'clock this afternoon.
MI Morrison's Address.
Mr. Frank Morrison. secretary of the
American Federation of Labor. was the
first speaker introduced at the morning
session. He stated that President Samuel
GomperS would be present later. and eN-
pressed surprise that officers of the Cen
trail Labor Union were not present to
ceivr the international firemen. He re-
ferred to the trouble the federation WAS
experiencing over the question of juriSdic
ton. which, like Banquo's ghost. will not
down
But" he added. these contentious stir
our members to activity in charging and
upbuildng our organizations The fremen
certainly have been successful in building
up their organization in the past few years.
The chief aim of this convention should be
I" strengthen the existing unions well
as to organize as many unorganized fire.
men possible
Alr, Morrison said the labor movement
hid made great progress. Notwithstanding
the opposition of captalistic alliances. An
organization that has no strikes Is of little
benefit 10 its members. Strikes Indicate
that the striking body is working for the
brttermcut of its membership. He urged
harmony among organizations, and said
contentious among organizations disturb
the general labor movement. besides caus-
ing diScord in the central bodies.
Defends Central Union.
Mr.. Harry w. Sherman general secretary
Of the electrical workers denied that the
failure of the Central Labor Union to have
its representatives present to greet and
welcome the visiting firemen was due to
any intention on the part of that body to
slight the international associa ton. 1t was
the result. Mr.. Sherman declares of some
unfortunate oversight.
We have no mayor in Washington to
hand over to You Il bunch of keys and give
you the freedom of the city. but we of the
local labor bodies bid you welcome to the
nations capital"
He said the future of the fremen's asso-
citation lies with the delegates in this con-
Vention. He advised them to enact laws
place them in the hands of their general
officers and tell them to enforce them.
And he added. your officers must
have the backbone to do 1t. You must also
increase your per capita tax. y good de-
f"nse fund is the success of every labor
"rganiza ton. When man goes out on a
strike and hits the bricks. they say in
New York. he wants To- know that he will
get something besides hot air. l have found
out by experience that hot cOrned beef and
cabbage is better by far than hot air
In the District of Columbia Mr. Sher-
man concluded. there are only four organ
iZ1tionS that do not belong to the central
Npdy. That is better than the condition in
any other city"
At this point an outburst of applause an
nounced the arrival of President Samuel
Gompers of the American Federation OF
Labor. who was escorted TO the platform.
Mr.. Brinkman's Remarks.
Mr.. Thomas II. Brinkman, secretary of
the Carriage and Wagon Workers. No. -
and editor of the Union Herald, the
next speaker. He referred to the failure
OF the Central Labor Union to have repre-
sentatives at the convention, and said the
labor organizations OF Washington were
clear and clean, and not controlled by
local politicians, for there are none here.
Editor Brinkman said a labor organization
is the workingmans board of trade-his
stock exchange.
The labor movement of today is erected
upon iuae liGence. If it is ever wrecked 1t
will not be upon that of trades union jur-
iSiiction, but upon the rock of ignorance
He did not anticipate such outcome,
however. The American Federation of La
Dor is the court of last resort in the labor
movement. he said and any labor union
which refuses to submit to the decisions of
that court should be disbarred. There is
no place for sentiment in this movement.
1t is a business proposition. He referred
t. President Gompers the little giant
Of the labor movement.
As MIR. GOmpers stepped TO the fore to
make his address he was greeted by con-
tnued applause.
Prefers to Be Known as Friend.
1t is good to know that one is a war
horse and builder" he said in response
L" the speech by which he was intro
duced but l prefer to he known as a
Trend union man. and as a union man
1" union men"
lie welcomed the delegates to the capital
In the name of the American Federation of
cd h.,