The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1908-11-14


American Federation of Labor is meet
ing in annual convention, this time in
the city Of Denver. The twenty-eighth
annual session of the Federation is
fraught with much interest, and upon
its deliberations hinge great many
things that mean veal or woe to the
organized voters of the nation. Fred
erick J. Haskin, the foremost writer
of the day on special topics. writes as
follows of matters relating to the
Federation:
In the Washington headquarters of
the American Federation of Labor
there is big chart posted in the ves-
t!buie. 1t tells the story of the fed
Grafton SO plainly and SO succinctly
that he who runs may read. There Is
series Of big red lines, the length
OF each line showing the numerical
strength of the organization each year.
|, starts with line that is little more
than a big square dot, representing
membership of $4,000. That was in
1881. The line gradually increases
each year until the one for 1893 is
over FIVE times as long as the one for
1881. Then there is a standstill until
1899, when the gain for the year is
about double the number of the orig
inal membership. From that time for
ward the line for each year has grown
longer, the annual growth being greater
-
years OF its existence.
There is another chart which ap-
peals to the eye with great force. 1t
is a big circle which represents the ma
tional labor unions of the United
States. Considerable more than three
fourths of that circle is black. The
other little section is gray. The
black part represents the organiza-
tions affiIiated with the federation.
The gray portion represents the or
gani2ations of labor not SO affiliated.
The Federation's Aims.
The federation has always been an
advocate of free schools, free text
books and compulsory education. 1t
has fought for the nationwide estab-
lishment of the eight-hour day. 1t has
put forward labor's claim to the one
day of rest in seven enjoined by the
scriptures. 1t has fought the sweat
shop system until it is on it's last legs.
II has demanded and secured employ
ers' liability legislation, which was
once deemed unfair to capital, but is
now regarded as but just to labor. 1t
ed the betterment of the condition OF
working women. 1t has lent it's sup
port to the movements for public
baths in all cities, and for the com
pulsory incorporation of bathing ia
cilities in all houses or compart
ments used for human habitation. II
has striven for the securing of proper
Fairgrounds for city children.
With such things in it's platform
there is little wonder that the fedora
ton has enlisted practically four
flfths OF the organized labor of Amer
lea under its banner. It's membership
comprises more than 100000 wage
earners. There are approximately 12(
national and international abor union:
affiliated with it, representing 27,O0t
local organizations. The federation
spends approximately quarter-mil
lion dollars year in keeping up iti
organization and promoting thu
causes it advocates. Numerically ant
financially the American Federation o
Labor has become the strongest orga
nization OF it's kind in the world.
1t is only since the beginning of tn
eighteenth century that labor has no
been in condition of serfdom. Afte
that date began the movement of sell
emancipation. which has been goin
on to this day. Yet it is said tina
there have been more strikes and locl
outs within the past 80 years than Il
all the Christian era. The first record
ed American strike occurred anon
the bakers of New York in 1741. Their
was series of strikes among tn
boot and shoe-makers of Philadelphia
beginning in 1896. and again in 179
'hSiS "oS Sui uout, do a oIilhS '" d
then called, ordered by the journe,
men shoemakers of that city. Up t
this time all strikes were for increase
wages and were at least partially su,
cessful
The Sailors Strike.
The sailors strike has been gene
ally considered the first importar
strike in America. 1t happened /
New York in 1903. 1t was unsucces
full, the constabulary having .arreste
the leaders of the strike. The next In
portant one was in 1909, among til
cordwinders. 1t was in this. labor ba