Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-10
IN LABOR CIRCLES

In his annual report read before the
convention of the American Federation Of
Labor, now in session at Toronto. Canada.
President Samuel Gompers said:
1.-THE demand for a department Of labor.
Independent of any other department un-
der the government, with a secretary at
its head. has been the unanimous decla-
ration Of the organized labor movement
of our country time and again. 1t was
at the urgent insistence of organised Ia
Dor that the Department Of Labor as 1t
was primarily constituted was created.
which was afterward bereft Of its indi-
vidual function by the law merging 1t
with the Department Of Commerce and
Labor. The labor forces and labor in
terests are of so vast and comprehensive
character that q department devoted en-
tirely to the many questions and prob
lens SO Intimately associated with II,
the secretary at the head Of that de-
partment having an intelligence OF and
sympathy for the duties involved, a SEC
rotary who will be at the council table
OF the Presidents cabinet to give advice
and counsel and to speak the right word
at the right time. Is one of the growing,
important necessities of our great indus
trial development. / therefore recon-
mend that the convention again express
its judgment upon this matter in a reso-
luton properly considered and formu-
lated"
As to immigration. President Gompers
declared:
"a vigorous effort to obtain legislation
covering this subject was made. but the
employing interests were SO intrenched
that they prevented the House commit
tee on immigration from making a IA
industrial developments, especially the
widely discussed strike at the Pressed
Steel Car Company at McKees Rocks.
Pa, and from other emphatic revelations
OF recent date. 1t is becoming more appa-
rent that members Of Congress will not
be held in check by the power of the
Speaker and his allied influences, but that
they Will insist upon some better regu-
lation of immigrants"
Under the caption 'Labor's Practical
Political Action" the president of the A.
F. L. says:
Naturally. during the present year.
there has been some lull in the political
activities OF the country, because there
has been neither an immediate presiden.
tfal nor congressional election to stir the
minds of the people. The need for ade-
quate sremedial. definitive and protective
ieglsiation. both state and national. is.
however, as great as when had the
honor to submit to you my report q year
ago. At that time we had barely emerged
from the throes Of presidential election.
1t was dihfcult to estimate to what ex-
tent our political powers as workers had
been exercised. 1t was not possible then to
ascertain many encouraging facts which
have since been verified. We know that
at least 100000 votes We're cast for the
principles espoused by labor. particularly
In reference to the remedy from the abuse
Of the writ of Injunction. to trial by fury
and to the full and free legal right of ex-
istence Of the workers organizations
That so large number of citizens as
stated expressed their sentiments by their
votes Is conceded even by our opponents.
l may add that I have had statements
from some of the leaders Of the political
party which for the time being at least
made our cause its own that the votes of
the workers alone saved that party from
utter, crushing oblivion. 1t is my belief.
and that of those qualified to Judge.
that at least 50 per cent Of Organized
labor's forces voted in accordance with
the recommendations OF our federation.
1t Will never be known to what extent
coercion and trickery prevented the regis
try OF still larger vote of those who
believed with us and who desired to
stand with u.s.
Friends OF Sam De Nedrey, unable to
restrain until he returns from the To-
ronto convention their JOY over his VIC
tory In the Central Labor Union Monday
night. have sent him congratulatory let
tiers and kilograms. A wire message sent
by carpenter said:
Your enemies met their Waterloo.
You win with both hands down. Sam,
you are it,
The article in the labor column OF The
Star last week concerning conditions in
the government printing ONCE has been
commended by a large number of print
ers employed in the big print shop. They
declare the union printer who was inter-
viewed told the truth strictly. One typo
said he hit the nail squarely on the
head
1t is understood the public printer Is
having some trouble concerning his in
depreciation Of the clause of the civil
service law giving veteran soldiers and
sailors preference under certain condi.
tons. The matter may be brought before
the @. A. R., the Spanish War Veterans
and Army and Navy Union for exploita-
ton, ii Is said