The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1909-11-08
Great Labor Organization Of
Western He misphere Meets
in Toronto.
Important Questions will be
Decided.
WIDE RANGE OF DISCUSSION.

Toronto, Nov. S.-For the first
time In the 29 years OF its existence,
the American Federation OF Labor
has crossed the border line OF the
United States. and. is holding dts an
nual convention In Canada. Dele
yates from all parts Of the United
States and Canada are here.
with jail sentences hanging oveS
the heads OF President Samuel Com
pers Vice-Presldent John Mitchell
and Secretary Frank Morrison for
contempt Of court as n result Of the
Bucks stove case, the question as to
whether an appeal TO the United
States supreme court shall be- made,
will probably be decided by the con
yention.
Mr. Gompers and his associates
contend that the constitutional right
Of free speech and the freedom OF the
press are involved.
Industrial training Is hkely 10
prove a live topic for discussion. as
the problem Is one that differs radi-
cally In tne diferen. branches OF in
dustry.
The trouble ir ne ranks OF the
Industrial Broti GfEood OF Electrical
Workers IN Ohio and Iowa. where
rival factions ara seeking representa-
ton at The convention. promises an
interesting chapter.
Gomper~' Address.
President Gompers In his address
AT the opening session said In part:
The year which Is Just closed has
been frenEht with events OF tran
scendent importance. and yet feel
that by reason OF the many quee-
iions with which this convention must
deal. as well as my absence from
America for some considerable period
the report which have the honor TO
submit falls short OF that which I
hoped could present.
The present average membership
Of our affiliated organizations for the
wear IS nearly mp TO the highest stand
ard In the history OF the federation.
The officers OF, oEe-third OF interna-
tlonal unions aifiliated 90 our fedora
ton. have made report OF an Increase
over previous years. Thirty-four OF
them reported a net increase OF over
so 900 for the past year. while there
has been q substantial increase In the
membership OF the local unions
formed cr revived. attached to the
International unions or directly anil
urHI IN lfaIa.vufls.t. n
Labor The reports OF the One-thlrd
Of the organization may be taken az
fair indication OF the general
growth.
summary of Injunction.
The Injunction proceedings OF the
Bucks Stove and Range company OF
81. Louis. Mo-. OF which James w.
Van Cleave Is president, against the
American Federation OF Labor, re-
solved themselves into two separate
cases; one, the original Injunction
issued BY Justice Gould. OF the SUI
preme court OF the District OF Column
bla; the other. the proceedings for
contempt brought against Vice-Presi-
dent John Mitchell. Secretary MOrri-
son and myeeh. An appeal was taken
by the American Federation of Labor
on both cases.
What are the offenses for which
Mitchell. Morrison and | are sem
fenced to long months OF lmprison-
ment. and the ignominy OF being
classified as criminals? We have
dared TO defend our constitutional
rights as men and as citizens, despite
the injunction OF court which
sought 10 Invade the rights OF free
speech aad free press secured to the
Anglo-Saxon people centuries ago by
Magma Charta and clinched by the
adoption OF the first amendment to
the constitution of the United States.