The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1909-11-19
BY F. P. MARSH.

TORONTO, Canada, Nov. ll.-Th,
twenty-ninth annual convention of the
American Federation of Labor has beer
in session now just four days and the
real business of the convention has but
Just begun. The time has been spent
mostly in preliminary work hearing
/ Officers reports, addresses by fraterna
delegates and visitors, in forming new
acquaintances and renewing old ones
The serious work of this great conven-
ton lies ahead, and yet the officers re-
ports and numerous addresses have
given to the legates-especaliy we
first -timers-an inspiring insight into
trade union movement.
When the gavel in the hand of Sam
uel Gompers fell on the morning of the
Sth calling together for the first time
on Canadian soil, the great concave of
the representatives of organized labor,
think each delegate was impressed
with this one thought: How much
greater than geographical boundary
lines, is the labor movement! The
men of labor who faced the entwined
emblems of the two countries draped
behind the presidents chair were not
Americans; they were not Canadians;
in that moment of meeting came the
realization that they We're brothers
fighting in common cause for a worlds
oppressed.
President Gompers received an ova-
ton when he arose to formally open
the convention and it was several min
utes before he could be heard. The
convention was welcomed to Toronto
and the Dominion of Canada by the
MAYOR. the minister of the board of
public works for the Province of On
tario. and the president of the Trade
and Labor Congress of Canada. Presi-
dent Gompers annual report covered
nearly every phase of the trade union
movement and consumed over three
hours in the reading. 1t was listened
TO throughout with the closest atten-
tion 1t is a remarkable tribute to the
vitality of Mr.. Gompers, who is nearly
three score years and ten, the allotted
snan of life. that he read throughout
with no perceptible hesitation and fin
ished without sign of exhaustion.
Particularly interesting were the ad-
dresses of the two fraternal delegates
from the Trades Union Congress OF
Great Britain. both of whom are mem
bers of the British Parliament. They
reviewed the history of the labor move
ment in England since the infamous
Taff-Vale court decision, picturing in
graphic words the entering of British
workmen into politics and their subse-
ouent fights for governmental recogni-
tion of the inherent rights of labor.
II is true that organized labor III
England has not gained the same pro-
oress in working conditions as regards
hours and wages as they have IN the
United States, but in this particular
they are far ahead of us: they have
through united political action placed
it beyond the power of the courts 10
hinder them in their constitutional and
inherent rights, and have thus paved
the way for better working conditions
on their merits. without fear OF aroi-
trary interference of the government
This great victory, we in the Onited
States. have vet to achieve.
There are many able men in the con-
vention-to name them all would neces-
state calling perhaps nearly the entire
rostar of delegates One might well
IMAGINE that he was in the midst OF a
Gathering of university professors to
baor the able addresses and discourses.
Those who are leo 10 oeho'o '"oN
tbe loud -mouthed rantings OF the
mouth piece of the Manufacturers AS
sociation that the labor leader is a
demagogue, blatherkite and a labor
skate. would be quickly dis-iiiusioheu
could he but be present at Just one
session of this convention. Over-zealous
perhaps little-and who could wonder
IL they were-but sincere and in deadly
earnest.
The one harsh note to the writer and
one that prevades the atmosphere Is
tbe hidebound difinition of that word
discipline" You hear it on all sides
Tho flint glass workers must be DIS
ciplined,' The United Shoe "0rker'
must be disciplined" The seeding
Electrical Workers must be "disel
..,;,,od- The laws By which the vast