The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-11-25
GOMPERS ELECTED
TWENTY-F|FTH time
American Federation Adjourns
Annual Session
PRINCIPLES ARE DECLARED
Free Schools, Free Text Books and
Compulsory Education Are Do
manded-UnrelentIn Pro-
test Against Injunction.

minneapolis, november "a. = Sdlnuel
Gompers was elected president of the
American Federation of Labor this after
noon for the twenty-f1fth time. There
was no opposition.
The endorsement for Gompers meant
the endorsement for his policy, and the
and executing it.
With the usual complimentary speeches
and motions, the entire executive and adj
ministrative staff was reelected by ac-
clamation as follows:
Samuel Gompers of Washington. presi-
dent
James Duncan of Quincy, Mass. first
vice president
John Mitchell of Indiana, second vice
president.
James o'Connell of Washington. third
vice president.
Max Morris of Denver fourth vice presi-
dent.
D. A. Hays of Philadelphia, fifth vice
president.
Daniel j. Keefe of Detroit, Mich, sixth
vice president.
William D. Huber Of Indianapolis, sew
enth vice president.
Joseph F. Valentine of Cincinnati, eighth
vice president.
John B. Lennon of Bloomington, ILL.,.
treasurer.
Frank Morrison of Washington, secre-
tary.
Declaration of Principles.
Second in Importance only to the cleo
ton of officers was the action taken on
the proposed declaration of principles
drawn up for the federation by the reso-
luton committee. These were Endorsed
after two amendments were offered by
Delegate Andrew Furuseth, relative to
involuntary servitude and the initiative
and referendum had been Incorporated.
This is the declaration:
I'VE unhesitatingly announce that the
trade union movement herein reported is
the most practical, safe and legitimate
channel through which the workingmen
and women of North America not only
to seek redress for their wages, but by
which they can strengthen their economic
position until 1t will place labor in full
possession of its inherent rights.
1--WE declare that since the inception
OF our movement inquiry into the best
form of government has been its guiding
motive and will so continue while there
Is a high moral desire to crafty or an
injustice to correct.
Our meetings, local, national and inter-
national, are now, and always have been
free to discussion of any legitimate ecc-
nomic or political questions, but on the
other hand are as equally pronounced
| against partisan politics, relief dlssensions
| or race prejudice.
f,,rtI af oIa f.1, al,
| that our principles comprise the fullest
| and highest scope of human activity
| and from time to time will be enhanced
| and advanced in accordance with the de-
| mands to satisfy human needs and de-
sires, we recommend the following as a
partial statement at this time of economic
demands of the American Federation %
Labor:
Economic Demands.
Free schools, free text books and com
pulsory education.
abolition of all forms of involuntary
| servitude. except for punishment OF
crime.
| "Unrelenting protest against the is,
| suance and abuse of the injunction.
"a work day of not more than eigh
hours in the twenty-four hour day.
| "Strict recognition OF not over eigh
hours per day on all federal, state Oh
| municipal work.
| Release from employment one day ii
| seven; abolition of the contract system
on public work. municipal ownership o.
| public utilities. abolition of sweat shop
/ sanitation in factory workshops, mine!
and the home; liability of employers FOL
| injury or loss of life, naturalization o.
telegraph and telephone; passage of anti
| child labor laws in states where the,
| do not exist and rigid defense of then
| where they have been enacted into law
/ woman suffrage co-equal with man suf
| frage; initiative, referendum, imperativ
| mandate and right of recall suitable ant
| plentiful Fairgrounds for children in al
cities: continued agitation of public batt
| system"
| John I. Dempsey of Scranton Pa. ani
| w. e. KlapleslSi of Indianapolis, wer,
| elected fraternal delegates TO the Rriti !,