Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-10
MEETING OF LABOR LEADERS
DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING
TRADES OF A. F. OF L.
Addresses by Samuel Gompers,
Frank Morrison, James O'Con-
nell and Others.

In accordance with the resolution adopt
ed at the twenty-seventh annual conven-
ton of the American Federation of Labor.
held recently. whereby a department Of
building trades of the American Fedora
ton of Labor was created. to have its
charter from the American Federation Of
Labor. and to be composed Of bona fide
national and interna tional building trades
organizations. a conference Of the execu-
tive officers of the various building trades
began in this city today for the purpose
of perfectins national organization.
About seventy-five delegates assembled at
10 o'clock this morning at the Columbia
Typographical Temple and proceeded to
launch the new craft
James Kirby. representing the building
trades. presided at the opening Of the
meeting. and after explaining the object
of bringing the delegates together intro
duced President Samuel GOmpers Of the
American Federation OF Labor.
Mr.. Gompers opened his address by well
coming the delegates to this city in be-
half of the wOrkingmen and the people
of the District in general. He said in
part:
ct. is fitting that the first meeting is to
be held here for the purpose of federat-
ing the building trades in the American
Federation Of Labor. as 1t is in the Juris-
diction of the capital city of our country
and the national offices of the American
Federation of Labor.
Efforts have been made before for the
purpose of bringing closer federation
among the building trades. but they have
been launched without good system"
said Mr.. Gompers. lowing to certain con-
ditions there was little cooperation pos
sible. and the matter fell through
Perfection Ends Agitation.
In speaking of the labor movement he
said: when perfection is reached prog
ress is impossible. 1t is only by experience
that the better conception We have of the
movement will be shown There have
been defects In the past. but there is
progress shown in the work at present
and hops the time may never come when
the American Federation of Labor can
not be improved.
national building trades unions of Amer
lea, which will TO greater degree ma ke
history. IL you proceed right. and if you
see to it that there is no division in
the labor movement, you will have some
thing of moment. But if. on the other
tenu to divide the movement you will
do yourself and the movement a great
injustice.
In the course of his remarks Mr.. Com
in New York paper where Mr.. J. Pier
pont Morgan is quoted as having said.
in speaking Of the controlling Of industry
by the laboring people:
Strike! They the workingmen have
got no jobs now. There are no stocks
on hand. you know. We do not want to
take up work again now.
so what can they do? They will have
to submit they will starve. The ques-
ton is to be settled. They are to learn
tha- they cannot control industry.
we want wages that will make honest
and profitable business possible"
Denial Ends Controversy.
The speaker stated he had received a
telegram from the New York paper and
also a call over the long-distance tele-
phone asking his view on the matter.
Il saw the. story, and as I wanted to
give it careful consideration before re-
plying to the request of the newspaper.
would not say anything at that time. but
I was then half inclined to believe that he
did not make such a statement, and ac-
cordingiy this morning there is published
Fin the same paper as from Mr.. Morgan
an emphatic denial that he made any such
statement, and I believe him.
The speaker referred to the thousands
Of children in New York city whom he
said were going to school each day
hungry and were unable to reclte their
lessons properly because of the want
OF 1OOO.
why is it? The material is there.
machinery is there and the brain, Drawn
and intelligence are there; yet the men
are idle. 1t is not only inhumane and
brutal. but treason to think that work.
ing people will submit to such condi-
tions."
He referred to the army of unem-
ployed workingmen in other countries
and said: This would not be tolerated
for one moment in the United states;
reduction in their wages, and there is
no occasion for it,.
Other Addresses.
Mr.. James O'Connell. third vice presi-
dent of the American Federation Of La
Dor. was the next speaker. He stated
that efforts are being made to divide
the American labor movement In Amer
lea. He said one of the things to be
done at the meeting is to give to the
people resolution showing that the
labor movements are not divided. but
are working together.
Mr.. Frank Morrison, secretary of the
American Federation Of Labor. stated
he was in accord with the movement to
afnliate the two bodies and believed
that an organization will be formed
which will bring the labor movement
closer together.
Chairman Kirby made an address. in
which he said: This gathering marks
an epoch In the TABOR WO!l0. Jne eyes
and ears of every employees association
in the country are alert and attentive
to the action of this body, and every
tradeseman in America is anxious to
know what you have accomp,is
They want to know if you are going to
stand by while our fellow-men are
whipped and starved into subsection,
without raising hand in his behalf.
The eyes of the building mechanics of
Europe are watching our every move
and thew looking anvinns1U
for some plan that will assist in emanci-
pating them from the chains OF Oppres-
sion"
William D. Huber of the Carpenters
Union Of the American Federation Of
Labor was elected temporary chairman
and w. ]. Spence temporary secretary.
A committee on credentials was ap-
pointed. consisting of James Kirby,
Thomas Parkson and George Hendricks.
The meeting will be in session
throughout the entire week
Tiles an ASST rnment