Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-08
Fight to Free Leaders
Under Sentence Here
to Come Up.
TO DECIDE ON APPEAL
Davenport Delegates, Applying
for Admission, Are Turned
Down.

Toronto, Nov S.-Canada extend
ed a warm welcome to representa-
tives of organized labor, who today
opened the annual convention of the
American Federation Of Labor. The
annual report Issued by Gompers was
Eagerly anticipated today. 1t is Tor
this convention to decide whether
there shall be an appeal TO the SUI
preme court from the recent decision
of the court of appeals of the District
of Columbia Affirming the sentences
I of imprisonment imposed on Com
tpers. Mitchell and Morrison for con-
tempt of court in the Bucks Stove
and Range company case.
VIII Report ON Trip.
Gompers' four months trip abroad
investigating conditions in the for
eign labor field was expected to re-
suit in a recommendation as to the
wisdom of afiliating with labor Or
ganizations abroad with a view to
eventually establishing an interna-
tional federation Of labor.
Fractional Fight to Settle.
A jurisdictional dispute of the Inter
national Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers as a result of secession
movements in Ohio and Iowa will
come up for adjustment during the
convention.
GOmpera Replies to Welcome.
Gompers called the convention to
order and later responded to welcom-
ing addresses TodGy's, program, in
addition to the presentation of Com
pers' report, includes reports Of Sec
retary Morrison, Treasurer Lennon,
and the committee on credentials.
Gompcrs ScOres--sOmebOdy.
In his report President Gompers
said: Tyranny, exercised by no mat
ter whom or from what source, must
be resisted at all hazards. The labor
movement which is the defender, pro-
'tector and promoter Of the rights and
Interests of the people must be car
fled forward, its rapacious, ignorant
opponents to the contrary notwith-
standing. We should not, and we
must not, surrender the rights which
we have achieved for the toilers; we
dare not permit the workers to be-
come the victims of the tender mer-
cies of their exploiters.
'fThe higher manhood, womanhood,
and childhood, a better standard of
lfse; which we have achieved for
Americas toiIers, the better concept
of human rights and liberties which
have been secured at such great sac
rifices are too precious herttages even
to permit them to become debatable
topics. They are the result of con-
quests in the struggle; they are ours
to maintain and perpetuate for un-
born generations.
1.-THE attention of friends and foes
is equally attracted to this conyen-
tion. Let us bring hope, comfort and
to the one; disap-
pointment and dismay to the other
Davenporters Turned Down.
The federation refused to admit to
its convention delegates representing
the Ohio and Iowa federations and or
ganizations in Detroit. Mich, and Dav-
export and Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Must Have Charter.
President Gompers ruled that anv
which does not hold a
charter from the American Federation
Of Labor is not entitled to representa-
lion in the convention. The rejection
Of many of the delegates was because
Of trouble with the Electrical WORK.
ers' union.
Go Where They Can Talk Freely.
This is the first time in the 90
years of its existence that the Amer
lean Federation OF Labor has crossed
the border line of the United States
o Npld its annual convention in Can
ada. With jail sentences hanging
over the heads of President Gompers, |
Vice President John Mitchell and
Secretary Frank Morrison for con-
.empt of court, Mr.. Gompers and his |
associates contend that the constitu-
ionaI right Of free speech and the
'reedom OF the press is involved.
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