The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1904-11-14
Special to Press.

Special to Press
SAN FRANCISCO. Nov. 1.-THE
twenty-fourth annual convention OF
the American Federation of Labor,
which was opened in this city today.
and which will continue probably FOR
two weeks, is the largest gathering
in point of numbers in the history or
the big organization. President Sam
uel Gompers delivered his annual ad-
dress to the delegates and Secretary
Frank Morrison and Treasurer John
b. Lennon presented their reports for
the past ~ months. A rousing well
come was given to William Abraham.
M. p, and ]. Wignall the two fra
ternal delegates from the British
Trades Union congress. The address
of President Gompers was listened to
with close attention. 1t dealt with
considerable length with the. progress
of the labor movement during the
last year, reviewing the legislative
matters of importance to labor inter-
ests and making reference to the
strike of the New England cotton
spinners, the Colorado labor troubles
and other conflicts and disagreements
between employers and employees.
Reference was made also to the result
of the late election and to the i'm
portant part which organized labor
had taken in the campaign. Numer-
Gus recommendations were made in
regard to safeguarding the welfare
OF the federation and its afiiliated
bodies and increasing their strength
and influence.
Though the proceedings today were
largely of routine character indica-
tions were not lacking that the con-
vention has some lively debates be-
fore it, The socialistic tendencies on
the part of a considerable element
of the federation membership is
bound to manifest itself in one form
or another. and II Is not improbable
that 1t will oppose the reelection of
President Gompers. who has never
taken an pains to conceal his hos
tility to the socialistic movement
Another matter that is likely to pre-
cipitate a lively discussion is the
proposition of President Michael Dom
nelly of the packing house employees
to take steps to spread the Chinese
Japanese.
Confronted with questions fraught
with the greatest Importance to or
ganized labor. the annual convention
OF the American Federation Of Labor
Opened here today with a good at
tendance. the delegates present rep
resenting approximately $4,000 vot-
ers. Never before In the history of
the organization has 4 more serious
line of labor been cut out for it and
the delegates. most OF them, are
here with determination to devise
ways and means and outline policies
calculated TO square1y meet the var
ious situations at every angle.
Foremost among the questions to
be considered is the openshop move-
ment, fostered and vigorously pushed
by the different employers organiza-
lions throughout the country. notably
the Citizens Alliance. How this sit
uation Is to be met will. 1t Is expected
occupy in relative proportion more
time than any of the other problems
that are to be solved. The delegates
themselves are free in the assertion
that the Federation 1t too strong to
suffer by the activity of the eemploy-
ers and point to the fact that the or
SANITATION is more powerful than
ever. Despite the fact many of them
have come to the convention thor
oughly primed to handle the matter
as they feel that the exingencies OF
the situation demand.
While the open shop question win
take first place in point of legislation.
greatest interest will center around
the election of president. Gompers.
long the leader. the brain and sinew
of his life, James Duncan of Boston.
who withdrew from the consent for
the presidency at the last convention
only when a careful canvass of his
forces showed that Gompers had a
good majority, has come to the gath
ering this time with greater strength
and more assurance of success. He
has been conducting a 12-months
campaign designed to cause the down.
fall OF Gompers and is confident OF
success, but the Gomperites, satisfied
to let well enough alone. cannot see
how their idol can be defeated.
One Of the most important resolu-