The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-11-15
LABOR MEN MEET
Day Devoted Entirely ta Speechmak-
Tag and reading Ikeports-Ffve
Hundred Delegates anal Members
Prescns NJ Qpening Exerctses-Gov-
crnor SyvAnson and President Gona-
pcrs Recfpfcnfs ~ Grafton

Norfolk. Va. November 1.-THE
first sessions or the American Fedora
ton OF Laker. which began its twenty
seventh annual convention Ut the
Jamestown exposition adav were de-
voted entirely to experimenting and
the reading OF reports. when ad-
journment came tonight Presiden:
Gompers. Secretary Morrison and
Treasurer Lennon had submitted their
reports ana a partial report OF the
credentials committee had been
heard.
In responding to the addresses OF
welcome by Governor and
Exposition President Tucker. Mr..
Gompers paid a tribute to Virginia
ana to The ex Ssitjon. holding out the
tact that this is the first celebration
OF its kind built entirely by organized
labor. lie confined his remarks to
general matters. Jut thSard the end
came down To- labor principles n
said:
Il know % no organization that
makes 50 little p%rotense OF
patriotism, put in which true pa
triotism prevails I" such a large cN-
tent Is IN organized labor. We want
peace, We love peace ana are working
for reace. ana in the proportion oar
working people are better o~rEanizcda
we wiz secure peace. But We are
not Supine; We are not drivelins
~sycOphantS; we know our rights-or
we think We do-and that is just as
goOd-and we are going to stand for
them.
Il don't want to discuss any mill
tary or ava affairs or the policies OF
our government-not just now any
Way-but We all know that the fed
eral government authorities have de-
cided that the navy OF the United
States is going to be transferred from
the atlantic to the Pacific. That ac-
ton or proposed action hG> created
considerable comment, most OF 10 fav-
Orahle some adverse. Even chat / do
not want TO discuss, but there IS n
man chosen to boss the job OF TAX
ing the entire fleet from one ocean
to the other Of whom i wish II speak.
That is Fighting Bob" Evan and he
said in connection With transferring
the fleet: Il don't know what may
be the result of ti,is "rtttse. | "aNc
only one mission AMI that is ~ gee
that the fleet goes to the Fac.ir coast;
and whether 1t is to be a trip Tor
fun or frolic, OF for a fight, wen be
there.
1t is To thai / want to refer and
make the application to the LABOR
movement. If it IS to b" peace. = 1t
is to he fun or If ii is to be n tiGi1t.
Wen lie there.
Il don't think there is any man VINO
loves peace more than I do. / believe
that industrial peace is essential 10
our progress almost as ;% IS
air to lung-breathing animals; but the
time is PASSED when the poSSeSSolS 81
wealth, the employers of labor win"
consider themselves masters can !ook
down upon the laborinE man who
stoops with bent shoulders and ac-
cents the order of the master.
Labor today stands erect. looking
the whole world in The face, insisting
upon equal treatment. equal oppor-
tunity and emit any attempt at
Injustice or wrong
gully 500 members and delegates
to the t~wentT-sixth annual convention
Of American Federation of Labor at
tended the opening exercises. Many
Of the most prominent men in or
gained labor circles had seats on the
stage. us did Governor Claude A.
Swanson, of Virginia; Hon. II. st.
George Tucker, Director General Mar
tin. and other officials of the exposi-
ton company.
estfng character the %cratOry being in
tersperscd with appropriate musical
selections by Phinney's United States
band. The applause which greeted
the speakers showed conclusively that
the audience vas thoroughly sympa-
thetic.
II. S Scott. chairman Of the central
labor MO of Norfolk. and James o.
COnnell. president of the Virginia
Federation Of Labor made telling
speeches.
| presentation to Mr.. Gompers by Presi-
dent H. s. Scott. of the Central Labor
Union Of Norfolk. with an oak gavel
which will he used during the con
ventiOn.