Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-11-14
AM. FED. OF LABOR
Is Observing Its Silver
Anniversary al Pittsburg.
Pres. Gonpers Greets Delegates
and Gives Annual Address.
The Real Business Of the Convention vii
Begin al Today's Session.

PittahurS, Nov. 13-Old City hall was
crowded, today, when President Sam
uei GomperS called the American Fed
GRAFTON OF Labor TO order for the open
ing OF the silver anniversary of the or
ganization. All the delegates represent
ing every state in the Union, Canada
England ana other foreign countries,
were present. ana all the available
space outside was utilized by ViSltorS
The hall was deliberately decorated.
Shortly before 10 o'clock, the dele
gates assembled at the headquarters in
the Colonial hotel and headed by
monster band Of 1875 pieces made up OF
federated musicians in llttSburS'
marched through the principal streets
TO the place Of meeting. As President
Gompers and Second Vice President
John Mitchell entered the hall, there
was prolonged applause. few minutes
later, President GOmperS raped Tor or
der and introduced q. Z. Douglass,
chairman of the local entertainment
committee. who welcomed the delegates
on behalf of the labor organizations Oh
the city.
Attorney John Drew, Speaking for
Mayor William Hays, welcomed the
delegates to PittSburg and Mayor James
G. Wyman spoke for the sister city, Al
leshany.
Mostly routine matters will be con-
sidcred at the session, today. The pre-
scntation OF the credentials was the
lir"t matter on the program ana occu-
pied considerable time. one of the H.
tcreStinS fights To BE- inhugurated at
this convention is the trouble between
the Plumbers and the Steam Filters
Unions. It is said the officials OF the
Transfers Union will make an effort
to unSeat William j. Spencer, the
plumbers representative in the cXecu-
tive council.
Mr.. Gompcrs said that the convention
promised to be important as well as
lively.
President GOmpers is out for re-elec-
ton ana ii is generally believed that he
will BE- successful. The ma jority of the
other officers are also candidates for
re-ciccliur ard il is likely that no
changes will result, with the exception
of fifth vice president. Thomas |. Kidd
is not a candidate for another term.
w. u. Mahon. president Of tn" Amalga-
mated Association Of Street ana Elcc-
trio Railway Employees of Detroit,
Mich, will probably succeed him.
During the report Of the committee
on credentials it developed that a num-
bcr Of Labor unions in different parts
Of the country had failed to pay the
assessment levied by the American
Federation Of Labor for the benefit Of
the striking New England Textile
Workers. IT was finally ordered that The
10 sriV
representation in the convention, to-
day. but that they would be compelled
to make the payments and arrange
matters with the committee on creden-
tials al the adjournment which was
taken at noon until 2 o'clock. this af
tornoOn.
The afternoon session Of the conVen-
ton opened promptly at : o'clock. In
| mediately after calling the roll, Presi-
dent G0mrers began the delivery Of
his report.
President Gomrers was continually
Interrupted by applause and as the re-
port was a long one, it was nearly 4
O'Clock before he finished.
At the conclusion Of President Gompers
report, Sec. Frank Morrison presented his
report, which was ordered read i'll alb
stract.
Treasurer Lemons report was disposed
OF in the same way.
Late in the evening, the convention aG-
iournod until tomorrow morning, when
the real business Of the meeting Will be
put in motion
Tonight, numerous conferences are be-
irg held, but their import will not he
known until reports are made to the con
yention