Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-09
HOSTS MEET
American Federation Begins
Sessions at Denver.
Deals Mainly With the Work and
Growth of Organization.
TOUCHES ON INJUNCT1ONS
Declares He Has No Intention to
Violate Court Process-Legis-
lation and Politics.

Violate Court ProceSS@AeSlS-
lation and Politics.
DENVER. Col. November a.-The
program of the annual convention of the
American Federation of Labor at todays
open session included addresses of well
come by Gov. Henry A. Buchtel of Colo
RADIO Mayor Robert w. Speer of Denver
and George Hally for the state Fedora
ton of Labor.
Response to the addresses was made
by Samuel Gompers. president of the
Federation. At the close of the morning
session the report of the committee on
credentials was made and President
Gompers submitted his annual report
Assuring the members that he has de-
voted all his time to the interests of the
Federation. he invites attention to it's
growth during the year ending Septem-
Der 30. 1908. by the issue of two charters
to industrial departments four to state
declarations. seventy-three to city central
bodies. 100 local trade unions having no
internationals and fifty-five federal labor
unions making at the close of the year.
an affiliated membership of lie interna-
tional unions two Industrial departments
thirty-eight state declarations, COG city GEN.
trail bodies and $50 local trade mad federal
la Dor unions.
Work of Affiliated Bodies.
The report deals with the work done by
the state and city federal bodies. the d.
rectly affiliated locals. the labor move
ment in Canada and Porto Rico and or
ganized labor among farmers. In con-
nection with the latter it is recommended
| that national legislative committee be
created to further such legislation as Will
protect and promote the rights and in
| terests of farmers and to prevent the
enactment of legislation inimical to the
interests of the federation.
4 section of the report is devoted to
fraternity among labor men and inter-
national peace. Considerable space is de-
voted to the development in the case OF
the Bucks Stove and Range Company
injunction and to an explanation OF the
proceedings against President Gompers
for an alleged violation of that injunction
by doing or causing appeal to be Is
sued for funds for legal defense In the
suit and injunction proceedings, discuss
ing the subject in public speeches and
commenting editorially upon the funda-
mental principles involved
Cannot Keep Silence.
Mr. Gompers also contends that:
UNLESS we violate the terms of this In
junction. we are prohibited from referring
to the case at all, either in our report to
the convention or to others. Should a
delegate to the convention ask the execu-
tive council what disposition has been
made or what the status Of the case is.
we shall be compelled to remain silent.
For one. l am unwilling to be placed in
such position. have neither the incll-
nation nor the intention of violating the
Of the court hlIt I cannot how
1t is possible fof us to hold up our heads
as honest men and still refuse to give
an accounting to our fellow workers and
to the public as to the status and out
come Of this case.
The subject OF injunctions against
workmen is also dealt with, and consid-
cradle space is devoted to the Supreme
Court decision, which, 1t is claimed, eX-
tends the Sherman antitrust law to hat
tiers and all labor organizations. He calls
attention to House bill 2U5S4, which mad
been prepared by him and introduced by
Representative William b. Wilson. and 10
the Pearre House bill "a. to regulate in
functions.
Labor Legislation Reviewed.
The labor legislation of Congress is re-
viewed briefly and the laws declared un-
constitutional by the Supreme Court
which constitute alleged grievance.
Many pages are given over to the topic,
Legislation and Political Action final
ly leading up to the appeal to labor to
oppose and defeat our enemies whether
candidates for President Congress or
other offices executive, legislative or ju-
diclai.
Inere Is a brief reference to Initiative
and referendum" to Panama canal laoor
conditions ana Speclnc organizations,
members of the federation, ana the peror-
a,lon aeais with the American Feuera-
tionlst and the labor press.
The report states that much good has
been accomplished for labor during the
year, and expresses an intention to carry
,he gospel Oh human freedom and human
brotherhood 10 Its fullest trultion with
eaIneslness and sincerity
Fight on Gompers.
Though there is much talk of plans
afoot to GUST Gompers from the presi-
dency of the federation. 1t is principally
gan in this city today, it is principally
gossip outside the federation itself.
humors Of growing dissatisfaction with
the so-calied Gompers plan during the
recent national campaign are being
given free publicity through the press,
but leaders in the federation who
should know the status of things de-
clare their Ignorance of any organized
opposition to President Gompers Mr.
Gompers himself valves the subject
aside by saying that the federation
will select the man best equipped to
lead it to further successes, and de-
clares that should he be retired he
will still remain worker in the
ranks. He admits that there is OPP
position, but asserts that it is confined
to matters Of policy affecting locali-
ties only.
A strong card in Mr.. Gompers' favor
now is the fact that several of his
bitter opponents of socialistic tenden-
cies have failed of election as dele
gates to represent their own unions at
the present meeting.