The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1907-11-14
MEETING OF A.E.OFl.
Convention in Progress at
Norfolk.
MANY SPEECHES ARE MADE
First Days Sessicr Convention
Federation Of Labor Given Over 20
Speech Making and Reading Of
Reportg-GovsTnor Swanson and
St. George Tucker Deliver Ad-
dresses of Welcome.

Norfolk, Va, SpeeiaL-The first
sessions Of the American Federation
Of Labor, which began its 9th an
uusl convention AZ the jamestown
vp3 iron NonGav. were devoted en-
t,rciy IN @peeeh-making and the read
ing Of reports. When adjournment
cane President Gompers, Secretary
Morrison and Treasurer Lennon had
ubmitted their reports and a partial
report OF the credentials committee
had been heard.
In response TO the address of vel
cone b. Governor Swanson and Ex-
portion President Tucker, Mr.. Com
GERS paid a tribute to Virginia and
to the Exposition, holding out the
fart that il is the first exposition of
lie kind built entirely by organized
abor. He , confined his remarks
chiefly to general matters, but toward
tie end came down to labor princi-
pies and said:
Prezi3ezt Gompers' Speech.
81 know of no organization that
/ makes so little pretense of patriot
isu but in which true patriotism pre-
walls TO such a large extent as III
'r~anized labor. We want peace;
! We love peace and are working for
peace and III the proportion that our
wol king people are better organized
we will secure peace. But we are
| not sup;ne; we are not driveling
svcOpbauts; we know our rights, or
re think we do, and that is just az
good, and we are going to stand for
| them.
81 don't want to discuss any mill
tarv or naval affairs or the policies
# our gOvernment-not just now,
"nrwav-but VIC all know that the
'"drral government authorities have
@ecided that the navy of the United
States is going to be transferred
from the Atlantic to the Pacific that
action or proposed action has created
considerable comment, most of it
favorable, some adverse. Even that
do not want to discuss, but there
IS man chosen to boss the Job OF
taking the entire feet from one ocean
TO the other of whom | wish to
speak. That is Fighting Bob Evans,
and he said in connection with
transferring the fleet:
The Pacific Cruise.
" Il don't know what may be the
result of this cruise. I have only
one mission and that is to see that
tie fleet goes to the Pacific coast, anG
whether it is to be for fun or frolic
OF fight, we all will be there
at IS to that | want to refer AMI
make the application to the labor
movement. If it is to be peace, ii
it is TO be fun, or if it is to be d
fight, we will all be there
81 don't think there is any man
who loves peace more than l do.
believe that industrial peace is es-
sentlal to our progress, almost as
essential as is air to lung breathing
ANIMALS, but the time is past when
the posSessors of wealth, the en-
pjoTers of labor who consider them
selves masters, can look down upon
the laborlng man who stoops with
bent shoulders and accepts the or
der of the master.
Labor today stands erect, looking
the whole world in the face, insist
ing upon equal treatment. equal OBJ
portunity and resenting any attempt
at injustice or wrong''
! Fully 500 members and delegates
attended the opening exercises. Manv
OF the most prominent men in organ
'zed labor circles had seats on the
stage. as did Governor Swanson, OF
Virginia, Hon. St. George Tucker,
Director General Martin and other
ctlclals of the exposition company.
lie exercises were of a very in
teresting character The orator.
ives interpreted with appropriate
musical selections by brass band.
Governor Given Ovation.
II. S. Scott. chairman Of the Cen
trial Labor Union, of Norfolk. 40
James O'Connell, president Of TIE
Virginia Federation of labor, mace
telling speeches.
Governor Swanson was the re-
clpient Of an ovation and during his
speech was frequently interrupted BIZ
hearty applause. The Grafton of the
day was delivered by Samuel Con
pers. Mr.. Gompers was rendered ?
tremendous ovation A feature of tie
session was the presentation to Mr.
Gompers by Mr.. Scott, of the Central
Labor Union, of Norfolk, of al
oak gavel, which was used during
the convention.