Bismarck daily tribune., 1908-11-10
Labor's Official Voice.

saNS
Labor's Official Voice.
The federation itself is composed OF
practically all the trades unions on the
American continent. Its voice, there
fore, may be regarded as the official:
voice Of labor. It has withstood at
tacks from capitalism on one side and
from socialism on the other. Gompers
as its head has borne the brunt Of
these attempts 10 destroy the federa
ton and through it labor unionism.
These efforts Of its enemies to under
mine or overthrow it have had appar-
emily but little effect on the American
Federation OF Labor. It has grown
steadily year by year and is now the
strongest numerically, financially and
In influence that 1t has ever been. Its
other chief officers are Frank Morri-
son, the secretary, who comes from the
printers Of Chicago, and John B. Len
non Of New York, the treasurer, who
has been In Office about as long ain
Gompers. Il 59
4 The American Federation Of Labor
started practically from nothing. Com
pers was Its architect. For years It
had Its chief Offices In q New York ten
ement house. IT'S officials served with
out pay. It was slender In finances
and membership. Step by step 1t grew,
however, following conservative meth
DDS, but forging ahead until it is easily
the greatest trades union association
on earth. IT has led innumerable
strikes and, according to the claims Of
Its officers, has won majority Of
them. It has been foremost In the ef-
forts to raise wages and to better the
conditions Of the workingnen, to short
en- the hours OF labor, to take children
out Of the factories and put them into
school, where they belong, TO- oppose
court in1unctions against union mem
bers and leaders, to make It's lodge
rooms debating clubs and schools for
the workers, to fight! intemperance and
to be q force not only for the uplift-
ment Of the toilers, but for the uplift-
ment Of humanity. Taken ell, in all,
the federation and kindred bodies have
constituted the most significant and
hopeful movement In the close Of the
nineteenth and the beginning Of the
twentieth centuries. Its chief glory ID
that It teaches the poorest and hum
blest members OF society how to help
themselves. Its power is seen by the
peaceful armies that march on Labor
day. Its followers believe that It's
work Is only begun, but that 1t viii yet
revolutionize Industrial conditions and
usher In q happier age.
Does Not Care For Money.
When Samuel Gompers. the man who
has had such potent part In bringing
about this peaceful revolution, was
asked IL he was rich man he seemed
surprised, then amused
DO you own any real estate3,, con-
tinued the tplestioner.
Not D shoyelful OF sand. I,
Any stocks, bonds or securities
anything from which you may clip
coupons ?''
Not share Of anything. I have NOT
an investment. I have no estate, and
VIXEN I die all i VIII leave my family
will be $3.50. my cigarmakers' union
insurance.
'I have no other property. have no
ambition to have any. I do not care
for money. believe can get the few
things I want, II not as president Of the
American federati Hon, then at my trade
or some other work. am poor. / am
proud to say am poor z
But you have had chances to make
money n
q have. Offers and opportunities
have come to me- things which would
have made me money. 7 was interest
ed in other things. !" 55
That Is the whole story. He has
been Interested In ether things, such as
helping his fellows and making bet
ter day ON earth. From that supreme
duty he could not be lured by offers Of
wealth or Office. Any one who won
sders ait the power OF Samuel Gompers
with his organization and with work
ipgmen generally viii find the secret
here.