The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-11-13
TWENTY.FIFTH ANNUAL CON.
vENTION WAS OPENED IN
PITTSBURG TODAY.
Six Hundred Delegates Were In Their
Seats When Called to Order
by Gompers.

PITTSBURG, Pa, Nov. 13.-The
twenty fifth annual convention Of the
American Federation of Labor, coin
cident with the silver jubilee OF the
this city a quarter of century ago,
wss opened here today Samuel
Gompers, the president of the fedora
ton, called the convention to order
and delivered the opening address, in
which he outlined the various i'm
portant questions which are to be
considered and acted upon by the con-
vention. The number of delegates at
tending the meeting is about six hun
dred. A representation is distributed
on the foloWinf basis: From national
or international unions, for less than
1000 members, one delegate; for 1000
or more, two delegates; 500 or more;
three delegates; $1,000 or more, four
delegates, $4,000 or more, five dele
gates; $4,000 or more six delegates;
and SO on at this same ratio. From
lions, and from local trades unions,
not having a national or international
union, and from federal labor unions
one delegate.
Among the most important matters
which will come up for consideration
in the convention are the questions in
regard to the exclusion of Monaghan
labor, the matter concerning the move
ment among printers all over the
country in favor of an eight-hour
day and the proposition of forming a
Farmers union to be affiliated with
the American Federation. of Labor 1t
is stated on good authority that the
convention will insist upon the rigid
endorsement of the laws excluding
Chinese labor from this country. 1t is
also stated that the movement in favor
will be warmly supported by the fed
Grafton.
1t is understood that a determined
effort will be made on the part of the
federation of labor to bring about the
uniOnization of the farmers of this
country and their utilization with the
American Federation of Labor, for mu-
tual benefit and protection. In Wis
consin and Minnesota a number of
farmers unions nave been formed al
ready, and, according to the statement
of the officials of the federation, the
utilization of these farmers unions
with the American Federation of La
Dor is merely a matter of time The
enthusiastic over the prospect of an
alliance of the city wage workers
with the farmhands and farmers all
over the country. The Western Farm
ers' unions have sent delegates to the
convention and it is not expected that
the proposition of an utilization will
meet with any serious opposition.
There is a strong faction which ad-
vocates not only the exclusion of
Chinese labor, but also the Japanese
Coreans and others and it is expected
that an extension of the existing ex-
clusion laws will be strongly advocat-
ed. AS to European immigration it
will be probably recommended to order
educational tests and a poll tax. Other
important matters which will be
given considerable attention are the
question of a universal eight-hour
day; child labor, sweat shops and fed
eral injunctions.
Among the entertainment features,
of the. convention will be banquet for
the delegates and trip in a special
| train over the great terminal circuit
about this city, which has become ia
nous during the past year by the
great number of noted societies and
! individuals who have inspected the
tonnage producing districts and the
method of handling the traffic.