Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-18
SAM'L GOMPERS CHAIRMAN
Action Setting Forth the Position
and Demands of Labor.
VIEWS OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Two Committees of Seven Members
Each Appointed to Draft Ad-
dresses for Distribution.

tivcs OF organized labor was
opened in this city today. with
Samuel Gompers as chairman and
Frank Morrison as secretary. 1t
is approxinated that the con-
forces represented ny national
and international labor unions, or
1000 local unions. The meeting
was called to consider the failure
of Congress to pass needful labor
legislation, and to discuss the re-
cent court injunctions against or
Sanizcd workingmen and the in
CAPABILITIES of the Sherman anti
trust law 1t is predicted that
labor will enter actively into the
forthcoming national political
campaign
What is regarded as by far the most
important conference of the leaders and
of1; ials of organized labor ever held in
this city was convened this forenoon at
the headquarters of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor. in Typographical Tenn
pie. More than two hundred men and
woman were present in response to
the urgent call for the meeting. which
was promulgated several days ago by
Samuel Gompers. president of the A. F.
Of l.. Both national and international or
CARNATIONS were represented
resident Gompers stated in LIS open
ing address that the conference was
called primarily to consider the Sherman
antitrust law. the recent court injunc-
tiors against labor bodies and the failure
OF Congress to give the proper attention
tn legislation bearing on matters of mo-
ment to the world of labor.
For the first time in the history of these
labor gatherings representatives were
present from the national organizations
of farmers. The unaf1liated railroad
hrotherhoodS were also represented, and
the one woman present was Miss Anna
Patterson of the International Union La
bel League.
The meeting today was executive. but
the thunders of applause which greeted
the speech OF President Gompers could
he heard outside the building. The con-
O'Connell. president of the International
machinsts. Samuel Gompers was thsn
elected permanent chairman and Frank
Mo- rison permanent secretary.
Chairman Gompers' Address.
Chairman Gompers made an address in
which. after calling attention to the sig
nifcance of the court decisions referred
to- he stated that the conference was for
the purpose of taking such action as the
Importance and merits OF the subject dealt
with may be considered and determined
as setting forth the position and demands
OF labor The courts rulings, he pointed
out. were binding upon all labor organiza-
tons until changed or modified by con-
grassional action.
Following the speech of the chairman
there was general discussion as to what
course the conference should pursue, and
thu views of the executive council of the
American Federation of Labor asked for
and were given.
Two Committees Authorized.
BY unanimous vote Chairman Gompers
WIS directed to appoint two committees
Of seven members each. One Of the COM
mitteeS will draft address to the
leading members of Congress. and the
other will prepare an address to be sent
To organized workingmen in every state
and territory and in the possessions. as
vol as to the people of the United States
generally. These addresses will set
forth the prevailing conditions among
TIE working classes. and call fIr an APP
Piled remedy at the polls next November.
it is said.
An important feature of the conference
WAS the presence in Washington yester-
day of former Mayor Seth Low of New
FORK, who held a conference with Presi-
dent Gompers of the Federation of Labor.
This was referred to at the session today
and it was added that the conference was
In regard to proposed amendments to the
sherman antitrust act MIR. Low has
been aiding in drafting the amendments
~ the Sherman law which are designed
IT was explained. to prevent injustice be-
Ing done through the operation of the Law
10 labor organizations. with special ref
y.,r,, ti<N,-.-
to-day was similar To the conferences
nich have been held at the White House
recently between President Roosevelt and
others with the same object in view. 1t is
armed TO frame the proposed amendment.
a, as early a date as practicable, in order
I" secure action at this session of Con.
CESS.
Mr.. Low declined to discuss the nature
Of the conference. except to say that he
had nothing definite to give out at this
time.
After a recess had been declared the
hundreds OF representatives repaired tc
tie patent office steps, where they posed
for d photograph.
Afternoon Session.
The afternoon session began about 2:3C
oclock, when there was a general discus.
sion of the addresses 10 be prepared by
the two committees. in order that there
might be a consensus of opinion upon the
important matters under consideration
The conferees discussed the injunction de.
cision OF the United States Supreme Court
Affecting labor organizations. with partic.
Ular reference to the Danbury hatters
case Is which that court is said to have
substantially held that labor unions were
TO be considered trusts as much as or
CARNATIONS of capital
The representatives also discussed the
proposed amendments TO the Sherman
antitrust act. which are being drafted
with view not of exempting labor or
ganizations from their obligation to the
public. but rather TO prevent any in
justice being done through the operation
. OF law To organizations of laboring men.
particularly through injunction. 1t is
desired To so frame the proposed changes
in the Sherman law TO meet the re-
Guirements OF the Supreme Courts deci-
aionS.
The proposed amendments ar. the re-
suit of recent conferences at the White
House between President Roosevelt and
others. and it is hoped to secure legisla
1ion along these lines at this session
OF Congress.
Court Rulings to Be Met.
Mr.. Gompers stated that matters of
Importance to every union man would
be discussed. and an effort mace to
formulate plans to offset the rulings of
the various courts regarding injunc-
lions and boycotts.
There are III national and international!
trades unions in America. and practically
all Of them were represented by one or