The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-10-14
Annual Convention of
West Virginia State
Federation of Labor
Commences Monday.
Will be Most Important
Labor:Gathering Ever
Assembled in State
Will be in Session for
Three Days in Steph-
enSon Auditorium.


On next Monday morning at 10 O clock
the Third Annual Convention of the
West Virginia State Federation of Labor
will convene in Stephenson Auditorium in
the Y. NJ. G. \. building. 1t will be the
most important gathering of organized
labor that ever assembled in West Vir-
ginia, and the outcome of its dclibcra-
tions will be anxiously looked forward to
throughout the entire state, not only by
the trade-unionsts, but also by the EN-
ploycrs and those who control the pitt
ical machinery of both parties.
1t will mark epoch in the labor
movement in the state and will be the be-
ginning of a universal campaign of or
ganization looking to the protection of
the working masses both from an indus
trial and Legislative standpoint.
President Wclch in his annual report
will treat extensively on the question of
remedial labor legislation necessary to
safeguard the lives, limbs and homes of
the workers, and will make a lengthy re-
port as chairman of the legislative COM
mittee on his work before the last session
of the legislature.
AS the State Federation s chief work
is along the Iegisl;..ho line, the most i'm
portant features of the session will be
drafting of measures to submit to the
next legislature for enactment, and to
outline n policy and campaign to insure
their passage. The last Legislature was
pledged to enact employer s liability
bill by both party platforms, but usual
labor WAS betrayed and to avoid rcpe-
tition at the coming session labor pro-
poses to get in the fight early and stay
in it to the last ditch.
Another important question to come up
for consideration will be to furmulate
ways and means to bring about n closer
afliliation of all organized crafts in the
State and enlist the support and assis-
tance of the international bodies in a
general organizing campaign among the
unorganized.
Under the able leadership of President
Welch all the affiliated unions are work
ing i'll harmony and most harmonious
and busy session is anticipated by the
officers, and the session will last at least
three days.
The convention will be called to order
by Second Vice President Jas p Nc
Grew, of this city, who will extend the
welcoming address to the delegates on
behalf of the Charleston union men, and
turn over the gavel to President WEIGH
Mayor Jas. a. Holley will make the ad-
dress of welcome in behalf of the citizens
of the city and Governor Glasscock has
been invited to address the convention.
but at The time of going to press, we
have no definite answer, but are satisfied
that he will. President Welch will re-
spond, the gavel will fall, and the con-
vention will be on.
A committee from the local unions OF,
the city have been busy arranging for the
entertainment of the officers and dele
gates and the time the convention is not
in session they will be shown a pleasant
time
The following preamble and economic
demands, sets forth the aim and objects
of the State Federation:
PREAMBLE.
Whereas, y struggle is going on in all
the nations of the civilized world between
the oppressors and the oppressed of all
countries, n struggle between the capital
ist and the laborer, which grows in inten.
sity from year to year, and will work dis
astrous results to the toiling millions if
they are not combined for mutual protec-
tion and benefit.
1t therefore behooves the representa-
tives of the bona fde trade and labor
unions of the State of West Virginia to
adopt such measures and disseminate such
principles among the mechanics and Ia
borers of our State and county as well as
permanently unite them to secure the rec
ognition of the rights to which they are
justly entitled.
We, therefore, pledge ourselves to as
sist each other in securing the best posi-