The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1906-11-30
LABOR BODY AGAIN
Selects GOMPERS
PRESIDENT OF AMERICAN FED
GRAFTON REELECTED WITH
OUT OPPOSITION.
Summary of Declaration of Principles
Adopted by Body-Eight Hour
Workday, Woman's Suffrage and
Municipal Ownership Favored.

Minneapolis, Mimi, Nov. ,26.-Sam-
uel Gompers was elected president of
the American Federation of Labor Sat
urday for the twenty-fifth time in the
rs years the federation has been in
existence. There was no opposing
candidate.
The following are officers for the COM
ing year:
Samuel Gompers, of Washington,
president; James Duncan, of Quincy,
Mass, first vice president; John
Mitchell, of Indianapolis, second vice
president; James O'Connell, of Wash
ington, third vice president; Max Nor
ris, of Denver, fourth vice president;
d. A. Hayes, of Philadelphia, fifth vice
president; Daniel ]. Keefe. of Detroit,
Mich, sixth vice president; William
d. Huber of Indianapolis, seventh
vice president; Joseph F. Valentine,
of Cincinnati, eighth vice president;
John B. Lennon, of Bloomington, ILL.,,
treasurer; Frank Morrison, of Wash
ington, secretary. John T. Dempsey,
OF Scranton, Pa, and w. E. Klapleski,
of Indianapolis. We're elected fraternal
delegates to the British trades union
congress.
Declaration of Principles.
Second in Importance only to the
election was the action taken on the
proposed declaration of principles
drawn up for the federation by the
resolutions committee. These were
Endorsed after two amendments Of
fered by Delegate Andrew Furuseth,
relative to involuntary servitude and
initiative and referendum, had been
incorporated. The declaration is:
In furtherance of our claim, namely,
that our principles comprise the full
est and highest scope of human activ-
ity, and from time to time will be
enhanced and advanced il accord
ance with the demands 10 satisfy au-
man needs and desires, we recon-
mend the following as partial state
ment at this time of the economic de-
mands of the American Federation of
Labor:
What Is Wanted.
Free schools, free text books and
compulsory education, Abolition of
all forms of involuntary servitude, ex-
gcept for punishment Of crimes. I'm
relenting protest against the issuance
and abuse of injunction process in
labor disputes. A work day of not
more than eight hours in the "a hours
day. A strict recognition of not
over eight hours per day on all fell
eral, state or municipal work, and at
not less than the prevailing per
diem wage rate of class of employ
ment in the vicinity where the work
is performed. Release from employ
ment one day in seven. The aboli-
ton of the contract system on public
work. The municipal ownership of
public utilities. The abolition of the
sweat-shop system. Sanitary inspec-
ton of factory, workshop. mine and
home. Liability of employer for
injury to body or loss of life. The
naturalization OF telegraph and tele-
phone.
Oppose Child Labor.
The passage of anti-child labor laws
in states where they do not exist and
rigid defense of them where they
have been enacted into law. Wom-
an suffrage coequal with men suf-
frage. Initiative, referendum, inn
perative mandate and right of recall.
Suitable and plentiful play grounds
for children. Continued agitation
for the public bath system in all cit
les. Qualifications in permits to
build of all cities and towns that
there shall be bath rooms and bath
room attendants in all houses or
compartments used for habitation.
We favor system of finance whereby
money shall be issued exclusively by
the government with such regulations
and restrictions that will protect it
from manipulation by the banking
interests for their own private gain.