The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-11-09
LABOR CONVENTION
IS OPENED IN DENVER

. A-ult b55.Z5. me spLaI - )ctiSe are $780,
937 SO: leaving a balance of receipts over
expenses Of 0.717.S..
Many Charters.
Reports from the secretaries of nine
ty-nine OF our national and interna-
tional organizations furnish Us with thu
information that 2,253 charters have
been issued during the past year and
l43S surrendered. one thousand. one
hundred. and twenty-One of the charters
surrendered were locals of the national
and international unions. and 81 at
hliated direct with the American Fed
Grafton of Labor.
The gain in membership reported by
secretaries OF the international OTgani-
cations and the local trade and federal
labor unions affiliated direct with the
American Federation Of Labor over the
membership on the LIST OF September
last year IS 55,459, which certainly shows
a healthy growth
Fun and complete reports have been
received from nlnety-nine International
ORGANIZATIONS and from a number of
local unions, which show that there
We're 81 strikes, in which there were
l5g23 involved. OF that number Il gSl
were benefited and 1882 not benefited.
The total cost of the strikes reported on
was s., AS, Oil.OL Adding 10 that amount
the donations made by local unions to
other unions, we have a grand total Of
bers on strike during the past year
Voting Strength.
The voting strength in 1907 was 1885,
in 1905, 1852.
The American Federationist for the
fiscal year shows 81 balance Of S7257 10
It's credit over expenses. The receipts
from I'll sources are $20,72Z.4; the eX-
pense, $2J.if5.64.
On September 80 of this year we had
5S5 local trade and Federal labor unions
Ia good standing, nd a defense fund of
2lO5. 2S2O9 TO protect the members of
these unions in case of strike or lock
out. Many strikes that would have cost
the American Federation Of Labor many
thousands of dollars were averted dur
ing the past year through the assistance
OF organizers of the American Fedora
ton Of Labor in adjusting the differ
ences and securing conditions desired by
the unions.
Praises Labor Press.
Too much can not be said in favor
OF the labor press OF this country. Just
before concluding my report I desire
10 pay a tribute 20 the yeomen service
performed for the labor movement BY
the labor papers Of this country, par
uculaTly the weekly papers Endorsed by
the Central and State bodies. Through
JAem The representatives. Of organized
labor have been enabled to express their
views on all questions of interest 10
the membership Notwithstanding the
efforts that have been made TO divert
attention from questions OF the gray
est importance to the general move
mentr they have remained faithful and
have 'heWed TO the line. allowing the
chips to fan where they may
with such record IL is not suTDris-
ing that the efforts Of labor editors
are becoming more and more appreCi-
ated by the great membership Of or
gauiZed labor and the desire 10 assist
i'm every way possible, the success of
the bona Tide labor papers has materi-
ally increased during the past few
years"
The TTeasuTeT's Report.
Treasurer Lemons report shows that
the income OF the Federation for tho
past year. 1907. tOtaIed S2O7. 655.23. which.
with a balance on hand October I, 1901
OF SIPS, 910.02. makes total OF $3.50, 565. ..
The total expenditures for the same
time amounted TO 1885,, 957.3 So. leaving a
balance on hand Of Sl36,6Zi.S9, Of which
s. 90 Is in the hands Of the secretary.
The report shows that the total funds
handled by Mr.. Lennon during his in
cumbenCy of eighteen years, amount to
81, a., 943.l9. His report, in part, says:
In spite Of all opposition, both from
within and from without, and despite
all disCOuTagements offered, the trade
union movement has steadily made
progress. Improved conditions have
been secured. Wages have been ad-
vanced. The intelligence OF the workers
has made wonderful progress. and the
solidarity or our movement is greater
tory Of organized labor on this Cont
nent.'