The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1906-05-24

4 b
The following is the Annual Re
/ port of President Nugent lof the
West Virginia State Fedeiltion OF
/ Labor submitted by him to the
Wheeling Convention, which put
| forth Labor'S claim in West Nir-
ginia in Il fair and impartial man-
ner, and the recommendation which
1T contains should meet the careful
consideration OF Ill concerned: 50
To the Officers and Delegates OF the
| West Virginia State Federation
of Labor:
1t is my privilege ut this time to
submit to you and the members 81
our organization my annual report
and such suggestions and recon-
lamentations aS l believe worthy Of
your consideration in the interest
OF those we represent.
One year ago you honorcd me
with the responsible position Of
/ President of the West Virgini:.
state Federation. I found on tax 5
ing charge of the affairs Of the Office
that the organization was 5demoral.
lied, and no well defined plan in
existence to bring togcthcrsthe va
rious branches OF organized labor
for the protection Of our members
| in West Virginia.
There was represented ut the last
lannual convention but one central
body and seven local unions.
In order that some intelligent
aud effective plan OF action might
be agreed upon to strengthen the
State organization, it was decided
to hold Il special convention last
| September.
There was represented at the
special convention, two central
bodies and sixty local unions. IL
is gratifying TO report to you that
ut the present time there are af1il-
lated four CAY central bodies and
one hundred and forty (14G) local
unions. This is an evidence of re-
ncwed interest among our members
to become thoroughly organized.
Considering the many Obstacles
to overcome, we believe that the
State Federation has made enough
progress TO arouse every member of
the labor movement IN this State to
renewed efforts to have every local
and central union to become affilia-
ted. 1t depends largely on your
active support to bring about this
much desired result.
One thing especially has been
been brought to my attention and
impressed itself on my mind and
that is, the number Of men who are
members of thr various labor un-
ions and who do not seem to fully
realize the necessity OF having Il
State Federation of Labor, the OBJ
.ject for which State branches are
organized and their power to pro-
tect the rights Of the laboring peo-
pie, when properly managed.
The rapid evolution of industry.
the introduction of labor. saving
machinery and the concentration
OF capital under the control Of few
er men elcil year compels us to or
ganize fo1. our own projections.
To meet the new conditions of
our industrial development we
must organize, and when organized
we should secure Il fair share of
the results OF our labor, improved
conditions Of employment and
shorter work day. III fact, these
are the principal objects for which
labor unions are org glniZed.
State branches of the American
Federation OF Labor havea mission
which as a part Of the general la
Dor movement are organized for at
least three purposes.
j. To create 4 sentiment in IA
vOr of labor unions and to impress
on the minds of the people that La
Dor unions are instituted not to Ell
courage disrespect for the law but
to educate our members in regard
to their duty as loyal citizens of
our country.
2. To promote strong Senti-
ment in favor of the union label,
the emblem of organized labor.
On this subject it is only necessary
to call your attention to the fact
that different labels and designs
are used by business men to pro-
mote their business and increase
the sale of certain products