The San Francisco call., 1904-11-13

It is, OF course. the aim of the feder-
alton TO complete the circle.
If the growth of the movement con-
tinues at the ratio OF increase that has
marked its history for the past two
years the gap will be closed in less than
two years more, and every trades
union in America will have it's repre-
sentatives at the gathering Of the dele
gates in 1906-wherever il be.
Reports of the executive officers TO be
made in San Francisco concerning the
work Of the order since its session in
Boston just twelve months ago will be
OF the most inspiring character. Indeed
were the facts in these reports repre-
sented in the black and white illustra-
ton here given the not affiliated"
white section would be reduced to a
much smaller area. The federation is,
growing with such speed that it may
soon write unit as representing its
status in the labor union field OF
America. The great gathering of the
leaders Of trades unionism TO be held
in San Francisco in November, there
fore viii attract and hold the attention
during its session. not only Of the work.
ers within trades unionism, but with
out. and not only the workers OF
America but the workers of the world.
The American Federation of Labor
had its beginning in Pittsburg , 1881.
John Jarrett president of the Anal
gamated Association of Iron and Steel
Workers. presided over a convention
held in Turner Hall November Is of
that year, at which ninety-six dele
gates were assembled, representing
union workingmen to the number of
262 900. An organization was effected,
the object of which was the encour-.
agement and formation OF local, city,
national and International trades unions
and TO secure legislation to the inter
ests II the industrial classes. Reso-
lutiuns fsvoring certain reforms were
adopted al this initial session that
were shortly made into the law of the
land One OF these called for the es-
Enlistment OF national bureau of
labor statistics. and another protested
against the importation of contract
laborers.
The American Federation of Labor
aid not spring into existence over
night Neither was it q sudden dis
covery. 1t evolved in the natural
course SO that when the delegates from
ninety-five separate and distinct labor
organizations came together to form
its first convention they had a knowl-
edge gathered out Of long experience
just what they wanted 10 do. That
their knowledge was sound and that
they built well out OF il is now ap-
parent. Trade unions had long exist
ed. The New York Society of Jour
nfymen ShiDwTights was incorporated
IN 1SC3-thesfirst regularly constituted
II the United States. Unions of tailors
trades union Of which there is record
and carpenters were organized in 1906
and hatters in 1919. In those days
the work day extended from sunrise
To- sunset and the members Of those
unions knew why they needed to or
ganize. Agitation began for ten
hoUr day, and Martin Van Buren,,
President of the United States by
proclamation in 1S40. fixed it so 70
az public works. Not until 1914.
however. was the day shortened to
the average workman. a long series of
strikes leading up 10 il. To com
memorate the victory the shipwrights
had q bell cast and erected on the
river front at Fourth street, New
York. which for years rang out the
hour OF beginning and quitting work.
Unions were formed now in every
manufacturing center, but until the
abolition of slavery they did not pass
beyond the stage Of the isolated unions
except in unimportant instances. In
1853 the first step in this direction was
made by the organization of the
Brotherhood Of Locomotive Engineers
In Detroit. The National Cigarmak-
ers' Union quickly followed with head
quarters in New York. The BrickIay-
ers' and Masons' international Union
was formed in<IS64 and a number of
national unions came into being be-
tween that and 1872.
The good beginning thus made was
checked by the panic OF 1873 and for
lack OF reserve funds many of these
unions died out during the long period
of depression. Various secret societies
took their places and held attention for
some time. but soon lost their influ-
ence. The year 1872 saw the total dis
ruption Of what was the first attempt
al a general trade union federation. 1t
was known as the National Labor I'm
ion and its field was politics. 1t was
going TO work its reforms by first elect
ing a President of the United States
1t began in 1866 and it's life, therefore,
was six years. Many other like move
ments were started, but ran their
course quickly. The knights OF Labor
was born in 1869 in Philadelphia, haY-