The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-11-17
A. F. Of L. Session Opens in Great
Flour City Under Most Favor
able Auspices Legislative Body
of Union Labor Opens It's Big
Convention.
President Gompers and Other
Leaders Are There-Sessions
May Last For Two Weeks. Great
Enthusiasm Manifested by Del
egates and Citizens.
First Days Session.

First Days Session.
Minneapolis, Nov. 13.-The mighty
forces of the American Federation of
Labor marched the streets of Mime
apolis today. The parade was not a
long one-not more han 400 men and
women were in line. But they repre-
sent the 100000 men and women
of organized labor in the United
States, these officers and delegates
OF the federation, and so it was
mighty, a distinguished body.
At their head marched Samuel
Gompers, president of the federation
and chief spokesman for the unions
Of America. With him was John
Mitchell, president of the United Mine
Workers of America, who handled
successfully the greatest anthracite
coal strike which ever threatened the
industrial life of the country.
Every man in the marching body
represented thousands of toilers who
were seeking to obtain what they re-
gard as their fair share of the fruits
Of industry.
Heading the procession was a band
OF 100 pieces, made up of the picked
men of the Minneapolis Musicians
association. Some of the most in
spring marches of Sousa had been
especially arranged for this band, and
the music for melody and volume,
was perhaps the most inspiring ever
heard on the streets of Minneapolis.
With one exception-the band or
ganized for the Mckinley memorial
parade-it was the largest band which
has ever marched in this city.
cheered Labor's Marchers.
Along the streets Of the business
section the sidewalks were lined with
laboring men who cheered their lead
ers, and from the office blocks wage
workers and office men, employers
and employed, waved their greetings
to the representatives of labor. After
triumphal progress through the
heart of the city, the procession turn
ed down Third street and marched to
Normanna hall, where the convention
sessions will be held.
Few of the many conventions held
in Minneapolis. have--been-- fraught
with more far-reaching possibilities
for the future of the American people
than this which is to decide whether
the labor union shall become factor
in politics as separate party. Few
have had better-known men upon the
platform, and few have had more
earnest and intelligent men seated as
delegates.
With every delegate standing while
the big band played the "Star.
Spangled Banner" the twepty-sixth
annual convention of the Ameican
Federation Of Labor was formally
opened. AS the band started to play
the stirring national air, President
Gompers and every delegate and Wis
itor to the convention rose and re-
mained standing until the last note
had died away, to be followed by a
flood of hearty applause.
The convention was called to order,
and J. H. McNally of Minneapolis, as
president of the Trades and Labor
assembly, rose to welcome the vis-
itors in behalf of organized labor of
the city.
II am proud of this opportunity to
welcome to our city the officers and
delegates to this magnificent gather
ing of the American Federation of
Labor" said Mr.. McNally. II esteem
it an honor to the city that we have
you with us, and shall always cherish
the memory of this opportunity that
is mine, that of welcoming you to the
city.
I'VE want you to make our city
yours and we want you to feel at
home. The entertaining of this
gathering was a big undertaking for
us and while our plans and prepar-
ations for your entertainment may be
less lavish and less pretentious than
in other cities I want to assure you
that every dollar, every cent of the
money raised for the entertainment
of this convention was contributed by
trades unionists of Minneapolis. It
all came for our own people, who con-
tributed gladly and willingly"
Political Activity.
Speaking of the recent political &C.
tivity of the federation Mr.. McNally
said: II wish to say here and now
that here in Minneapolis and in Min
nesota we are glad that the American
Federation of Labor went in to rol-
itics.
For the first time in the history of
the state, owing to the example and
initiative of the parent body, we have
accomplished something politically.
For the first time the common people
have favorable representation in our
legislative bodies and for that we
owe you much"
Mr.. McNally called the attention
of the delegates to the magnificent
showing made by the local mucisians.
union, which turned out 10 strong
to welcome the visitors and lead the
parade. Calling President Felix Nc
Ivor of the musicians local to the
platform and introducing him, he
presented him with a handsome bon
quet of chrysanthemums as a token
of appreciation Mr.. McIvor assured
the visitors that the musicians would
have been glad to march them over
the entire city.
Inaugurating a feature new in na-
tional conventions, Rev. George p.
Magill Of Minneapolis, clerical repre-
sentative on the Trades and Labor