The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-09-18
EXCERPTS FROM THE
PRESIDENTS REPORT

is with mingled pleasure and trcpida
ton that I submit this, my first an
nual report. for the year ending Sep
tember Is. 1909.
That there has been good accom-
plished, is self-evident. That ther,
might have been more good accom-
plished, Is beyond question: but a
the same time. II must be borne il
mind that the Utah state Federation
of Labor is but q babe. only one aut
a half years old: consequently. It must
not be expected that its accomplish
mcnts should equal those OF older OF
ganizations.
We come now 10 the fifth conyen
| tion OF the Federation. two havln1
been required TO launch the move
ment. and one semi-annual and one
annual convention having beec held
since. AS has been said: westward
the course OF empire takes its way
over mountain, plain and desert" so
NC must awake to the fact that the
course of empire" has reached us,
and has passed on beyond us, and tho
while we have been sleeping not fully
realizing the onward march of pro.
Gress and the opportunities lying all
around us; and. perhaps, feeling some
trepidation i'm assuming the RESPONSE
bilities of dealing with the problems
with which VIC are surrounded. But
rest assured that there is no obstacle
insurmountable In the course Of hu-
man progress, when real empire and
sovereignty are firmly implanted In
the heart, and minds and conscience
of the sturdy manhood and woman
hood of our great commonwealth Let
us. then. take courage and "gird our
lolns" for the fray, and with a deter
minatlon born Of the right. march val
iantly forward until our purpose shall
nave been accomplished, and the right
eousness of our cause shall have been
AS the law requires that the Off
GERS of the Federation report TO each
convention the work done during the
interim. Will attempt 10 briefly out
line the work done during The last six
During this time ] have called three
meetings OF the executive council at
which the various committees have
been present, and submitted reports Of
their accomplishments. The council
outlined work for the various commit
Ices aud the following work was taken
up The gathering of data relative
TO the enactment Of salutagy labor
laws IN other states; Investigating the
1tSeial conduct of legislator. and their
attitude toward union labor; investi-
eating conditions surrounding. aud the
practices OF. the so-called employment
f-sa
IN the label of the United Garment
workers; and investigating tho causes
or the small demand for union label.
I'd products. aud cndeayoring 10 de.
Use ways and means TO increase such
lemand
We have not been unmlndful of or
sanization work. and by a system of
iiSitation. have succeeded in securing
he cooperation of several unions that
lave not hitherto affiliated with the
federation. | speak OF this work brie,-
y, because OF the fact that a more de.
allied account will be given In The
eports OF the committees.
Recommendations
With your forbearance and pcrmIs.
don, ! wish TO make a few recommen-
iations which deem at least of some
Importance.
Organization
AS is often the case, new organiza-
Ions are too prone TO look too soon
or so-called results. and too often
ose sight of one of the most essen
ial and fundamental parts of its
work; namely, thorough and compact |
organization. While the Utah State
federation of Labor has not fallen as |
omepletely Into this abyss as some, |
ct 1t is nos entirely blameless. The |
'remal endeavors, n seems 10 me. |
hould be complete organization; for
Without It. the chances OF cussess are |
laterially lessened.
| would recommend, therefore that !
he next year be devoted principally
this work that is. that special ef-
ortS be made IN this direction; that
he territory In this jurisdiction be
lstrlcled, and that special commit
ee be appointed for each district 10
iork under the general direction of
ne state committee; that meetings be
cid at least every three months. for
ne consideration OF reports from the
and that these re-
orts be embodied in a report to- the
Xecutiye council; thereby keeping
ne whole machinery OF the federation
touch with al the work.
Legislation and Political Action
IL has been the endeayor of union.
'm for a good many years to secure
One legislation favorable to the
'orkers OF our land, and to curb the
ncroachments of greed Thousands
dollars have been spent in this di-
ection. and much exertion on the
art OF willing workers. with but lit
Ie, recompence. IL - plainly evi-
ent that political leaders are woncd.
ody and soul. by corporate greed,
nd that no laws will be enacted that
III initiate against it 1t should be
Vident, therefore. TO every unloniet
lat more is required than hot air"
nd a demonstration on labor DAY. TO
scure the objects sought-the enact
ent OF just laws.
We have heretofore aligned orr
eNes with one or the other of tho
political parties; which has
nmeasurebaly pleased tho profes-
onal politician. for by keeping MS
IHded. he had nothing TO fear. Is
not time that We forgot that we arc
epublicans, Democrats. Socialists or
not not? and that we get together,
nd stand together politically as we
o industrially? Not until We are
illing to bury tho political past. and
and together as do the trusts and ,
Iose aspiring for political preferment.
IN We hope to he successful 10 our
,mands for Justice.
omcers; The life and usefulness /