The Elbert County tribune., 1904-11-17
LABOR COUNCIL
AMERICAN Federation MEETS
Delegates From All Parts Of the cous-
try in Convention at San Fran
eiseo.-Report Of President
Gompers

San Francisco. Nov. i5--The Amcrt-
can Federation of Labor met yesterday
in its twenty-fourth annual convention
Delegates from every part OF the
United States and representatives
from Porto Rico England and Canada
were present. The, han was beautS
fully decorated in the national coiorn.
delegates being seated in sections ar-
cording TO the states they represented
The entire time of the morning scs-
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 ire
quently interrupted by bursts OF Ap-
plause. He said:
From October l. 1909. to September
80, 1904, we issued from the American
Federation of Labor Ike following char
ters:
International unions ......... n
state federations .............-..--
Central labor unions ........ ~
Local trade unions and federal In
Dor unions ..........,...-.--- .3zs
Total .......'...-...,........ -4is
Eight OF these international unions
were organized by us nom formerly al
filiated chartered local unions during
the past year. a number OF interns-
ticnal unions have become anna, gam
ated with other international unions
kindred to their trade. AT the end ~
the fiscal year. September 80 1904.
there were affiliated to tine American
Federation of Labor:
International unions ...... I2u
State federations ....t...... u
Central labor unions. ns....... 5ls
Local trade unions and federal la
Dor unions. .--............-.... -;7i
lotai' ..........,.-,' ,'......... .l,osI
THE average membership of our af-
tiliated unions upon which per capiis
tax has been paid to the American
Federation OF Labor for the year end
In September 30. 1904. is 1876. 600
The labor movement of Canadn har
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 5,902 over the preceding year.
that there was then in excess in Can
ada 1857 local unions"
IltSiutHl tsOilDtIso llilh hlEU
the accomplishments OF the tederatios
during the past year:
"First-Wage reductions have been
checked
"Second-The industrial situation
has not become acute, as was the unb-
form course formerly
''Third-Much idleness, poverty, snf-
fering and misery have been prevented
"Fourth-The era of Industrial stag
nation, as compared whTh former Ike
conditions, has been Shortened
''Fifth-The prospect for a revival Os
industry and commerce. In the future fr
brighter. as compared with any similar
previous period.
'Sixth-There is le5s acute feeling og
unrest among workmjen and employers
generally. business men AMI all our pe<,-
pie.
"Seventh-There are more workmen
and employers In agreement and under
standing.
"Eighth-There more general e.
fort to bring about more rlghtful reIa-
tions between workmen and employers.
"Ninth--There = 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 ~
was greeted with prolonged cheering