The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-11-12
LABOR STANDS FOR
EQUAL TREATMENT
Looks World in Face and
Will Resent Any In.
justice or Wrong.
.GREATFEDERATION
OPENS ITS SESSION

Governor Swanson, Presiden
Tucker and LeNding Virginia
Labor Men Unite in We'll
come Address by Mr..
Gonpers-Views on
Current Questions.
NORFOLK, VA. November sl1.-Th
first session Of Tho American Fedora
ton OF Labor, which began It's twenty
seventh annua1t convention at til
Jamestown Exposition to day, was de
voted entirely 70 speech making an
the reading of reporfs. When adjourn
nent came tonight President Gomper.
secretary Morrison and Treasurer Len
non had submitted heir reports and I
partial report of the credentials com
nlttce had been heard.
In responding 20 the addresses o
welcome by Governor Swanson and Eek
position President Tucker, Mr.. Com
oers paid a tribute 10 Virginia and L
the exposition, hol1:ng out the fac
that this Is the first celebration OF II
Kind built entirely by organized labor
True Patriotism, nt Labor.
He confined his remarks chiefly 4,
matters. but toward the en-,
,ame down to labor principles, an,
aid: =
i know of no organization thas
makes SO little pretense OF patriot
ism, but In which true patriotism
lts, 70 II, -. ~.
In organized labor. We want
peace; we love peace and are work
Ing for peace. and in the proper
ton our working people are better
organized we will secure peace.
But we are not supfne: we are not
driveling sycophants: we know
our rights-or we think we do--
and that is just as. good, and we
are going to stand for them. I
don't want to discuss any military
or naval affairs or the policies OF
our government-not just now any.
way-but we all know that the
Federal government authorities
have decided that the navy of the
United States is going to be trans
ferred from the Atlantic to the
Pacific. That action or proposed
action has created considerable
! comment. most OF 1t favorable. some
adverse. Even tina: 10 not want to
discuss. but there is man chosen
TO boss the Job OF taking the en-
TIRE fleet from one ocean to the
other OF whom wish to speak.
That Is Fighting Bob Evans. and
he said In connection With trans.
ferring the fleet: 81 don't know
what may be the result OF this
cruise. l have only one misslon.
and that IL to see that the fleet
goes to the Pacific Coast, and
whether 1t is to be a trip for fun
or frolic or n fight, we'll be there.
1t Is to that want to rsfer to
make the application to the labor
movement. II 1t is to be peace:
II 1t is to be fun; IL 1t is to be
fight, we'll be there.
Labor Stands Erect.
Il don't think that there is any
man who loves peace more than I
do. l believe that Industrial peace
Is essential to our progress, al
most as essential as is air to lung
breathing animals, but the time Is
past when the possessors of
wealth, the employers of labor who
consider themselves masters, can
look down upon the laboring man
who stoops with bent Shoulders and
accepts the order of tho master.
Labor to-day stands erect, looking
the whole world in the face, In
sisting upon equal trea atment, equal
opportunity and resenting any at
tempt at injustice or wrong"
The Opening Session
With an attendance of 500 delegates.
presenting every State in the Union.
8 American Federation Of Labor, de-
lred to represent 40 per cent. of the
eat army Of labor In the United
ates. began Its twenty-seventh an
al convention to-day In the Audito-
I'M. In addition to President Com
rs and other well-known labor lead
J throughout the country 1t Is no
.ret that a number of the manufac-
ling and business organizations Of
J country have representatives pres
!, to look after their interests ana to
ap tab on what transplres.
rhe opening exercises in the Audi
ium We're notable. The attendance
s large. and the greatest interest
$ manifested in the various speeches
ivered. The exercises were partici-
led In by Governor G. a, Swanson.
yor j. r. Riddick. President Harry
George Tucker. Director-General
'ah Fl. Martin. and other officials OF
exposition and the city of Norfolk.
nney's United States Band furnished
music.
HE opening invocation was delivered
Rev. Calvin s. Blackwell, pastor
the First Baptist Church.
.5 Address OF WELCOME.
resident Harry st. George Tucker
lvercd the opening address of well
le In behalf Of the Jamestown Ex-
ition Company, and was followed by
yor James T. Riddick, who well
led the great laboring body In be.
I of the city OF Norfolk. Mayor
II. Buxton extended greetings for
city Of Newport News. Merritt T.
Ike, of the Norfolk Board OF Trade
Business Mems Association, IN this
ence of President Anderson. deliv.
a welcome on behalf OF the bust.
8 men OF Norfolk.
the local and state
or general bodies. III. S. Scott, chair
4 OF the Central Labor Union OF
folk. and James O'Donneil, presl-
t OF the Virginia Federation of
or. delivered addresses OF welcome.
! feature OF Mr. Scott's address was
presentation to President Com
8 of an oak gavei. made OF native
cd. which he Will use in presiding
r this session OF the Federation