The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1908-11-13
FEDERATION
OF LABOR
WILDLY APPLAUDED BY DELE
GATES TO FEDERATION OF
LABOR CONVENTION.
NO FIGHT MADE AGAINST COM
PERS FOR REELECTION AS
PRESIDENT.

Denver, Colo, Nov. 9.-Wi.h
President Samuel Gompers presid-
ing and delegates present represent
ing a million workers. the twenty
eighth annual convention of the AM
erican Federation of Labor was call
ed to order here today. Matters of
the Utmost importance to organized
labor in the United States are sched-
uled for consideration and the con-
vention promises to be the most not
able in the history of the federation.
The appearance of President
Gompers I Il the platform and the
reading of his annual report brough.
forth wild cheering and indicated
that the delegates are in no frame
of mind to oppose the reelection of
Mr.. Gompers as president In an
interview today, John Mitchell, for
mer head OF the United Mine Work.
ers of America, said there would be
no fight IN the convention in regard
to the action taken by Gompers in
the recent campaign.
The reading of the presidents re-
port consumed more than three hours
and the reports Of the secretary and
treasurer were read in abbreviated
form. Mr. Gompers' report dealt in
detail with the work performed by
the federation during the past year,
including the contempt cases that
stand against John j. Mitchell, Frank
Morrison and himself, and the stand
taken by the organization in the cam
paign. Mr.. Gompers explained that
identical petitions were presented to
the republican and democratic con-
ventions, that they were turned
down and out at the republican con-
vention and their beliefs incorporaI-
ed in the democratic platform and
that it was but logical that they
should have followed the democratic
leadership. AS he referred to these
subjects he was time and gain aD
plauded, as was his statement that,
There must not be permitted to
grow up or to be tolerated in this
country permanent army of unem-
ployed."
i
showed total income for the year
of $2O7,655 90; balance on hand
Oct 1, 1907. s125,91O.O2; total
funds, 1898 .565.25; total expenses,
sl96,937.96; balance in hands of
treasurer, s136,627.s9; balance in
hands of secretary, $4,000.
The trouble growing out of the
federation blacklist will he
discussed during the convention.
Last winter the Bucks Stove and
Range company, of St. Louis, secur-
ed an injunction restraining Com
pers from printing ohe name of the
concern in the I've don't patronize .
list of the American Federationist,
the official organ of the American
Federation of Labor. Gompers NOM
inally obeyed the injunction, but on
ly nominally, having made all sorts
of references to it, and to the fact
that organized labor is against the
Bucks company This led to con.
tempt case against him. In this
case, the federation is soldly back
of Gompers, and Gne and all the dele
gates believe that the injunction
was violation Of the fundamental
right of free speech and free press.
Reports have been circulated by
Cleveland detective agency that
the convention would be secret. an6
offering to furnish complete reports
of the sessions secured by spies.
Mr.. Gompers denies that there will
be anything of a secret nature abo Ii
the deliberations of the federation
and every effort has been made 8
give the representatives of the pres
full opportunity to report the con.
svention.
During their stay in Denver, ths
visiting delegates will be entertain
ed in lavish manner by the loca
labor organizations. Several trip:
to points of interest have been ar
ranged and there will be numerous
entertainments The business mel
of the city have heartily co-operat
ed in the plans to give the labor mel
pleasant time during their con
vention.
WOODS TO BE RE-INSTATED.