The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-11-09
LABOR CONVENTION !
OPENED IN DENVER
Lively Fighting Over Com
perS' Political Actions
Is Expected.

DENVER. Col, Nov. 9.-In spite Of
the statements by delegates to the
convention that the twenty eighth an
nUal convention of the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor would be reasonably
harmonious, there was promise OF
some lively lighting when the con-
ventiOn began its session at 10 a. m
today. AT preliminary meetings by
groups Of delegates nothing was dis
cussed but the attitude the conven-
tiOn viii take on the action Of Presi-
dent GOmpers and the executive cJuu-
ell in coming out for Bryan and Kern.
The anu-Gompers men have been ac-
tive since their arrival. They have the
backing of the Socialists. The head and
front Of the anti-Gompers fight, it is
stated. viii be Sixth Vice President
Daniel ]. keefe, head Of the Longshore-
mems Union, who came out for Taft
few months ago. The Gompers men are
said TO be bent on punishlng Keefe for
breaking away from the Federat0n's rs
political program.
Annual Reports.
The annual reports of President Comp
ers, Secretary Morrison, and Treasurer
Lennon were made public during the
morning.
President Gompers devoted consider
able time TO a discussion Of the Buck
Stove and Range Company injunction,
reviewing the fight before the courts
Of the District and the effect OF JUS
tice Gould's decision that the name Of
the stove company must be removed
from the unfair list" published By the
Federationist
1T IS impossible TO see how we can
comply fully with the courts injunc-
tion,' said President Gompers. shall
We be denied the right OF free speech
and free press simply because we arc
wOrkmen. Is it thinkable that We shall
be compelled 10 suppress, refuse TO dis
tribute and XIII for all time the official
transactions Of one Of the great conven-
tions Of our federation? / opil'e not"
Charters Issued.
President GOmpers reported the issu-
anCe during the year Of "a charters 10
state federations, city central bodies,
local trade unions having no interna-
tiOnaIs. and Federal labor unions
He reported a great growth of the
labor movement in Canada. In every
part Of the DOmOniOn, he said the
upltf- had begun and the toilers had
seen the futtlity Of dependence upon
others than themselves
Quoting from the report Of the or
ganizer in Porto Rico. Mr.. Gompers
said.
THE American Federation Of Labor
is at present the only source from
which we hope to secure liberty, JUS
tice, and happiness. not only for the
workers. but for the people in general
in Porto Rico"
President Gompers recommended
that the convention appoint a COM
mittee to confer with representatives
of the Farmers Union of America
with a view to subserving the best in
terests Of all. He said:
Recommendation.
Authority should also be given to the
officers OF our Federation TO accept in a
frateTnal spirit the Farmers Union to
cooperate along the lines of legislation
and in such other practical spheres
where we may be enabled to more thor
oughly cultivate the best interests of all.
THE spirit of international amity and
universal peace is an accomplishment
toward which the hearts OF humanitar-
ians yearn. There are none who have
so potent an interest and who are more
assiduously deVOting their efforts
toward its achievement than are the
men or iaDOT OF all countries. The con-
stant exercise of our influence to avoid
wars vii lavert them if the intelligent,
earnest efforts Of the toiiers are con-
centTated the civilized world over
I'VE are not less patriotic, nor do we
lose one jot of our love of country, by
our intense desire for the universal fra
termination Of man.
I'VE welcome the fraternal delegates.
the ambassadors from the workers OF
Great Britain, TO our convention, and
to the hearts Of Americas workers.
In the personalities of John Wadsworth,
OF the miners, and II. Skinner. Of the
printers representing the British
Trades Union Congress, supplemented
by p. NJ. Draper, of the Canadian
Trades and Labor Congress, we recOg-
nize the bearers Of the message of in
ternational good viii and economic
solidarity We welcome them and our
other fraternal delegates with hearts
ovsrfOwing with cordiality and eager
for their friendship and cooperation.
Stove Company Case.
During the course OF his straight
from-the-shoulder remarks on the sub
Continued on Second Page.1