Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-14
MEETING OF A. FL.
Two Weeks Convention Opens
in st. Louis.
G0MPERS MAKES ADDRESS
Discusses Dispute With Bucks Stove
and Range Company.
MANY NEW CHARTERS ISSUED
secretary's Report Shows $ls2,914.s6
in Treasury-Receipts for the
Year, $1e3,47o.s
GOMPERS MAKES ADDRESS
MANY NEW CHARTERS IssUEI

ST. LOUIS. November 1.-THE tilir-
tieth annual convention of the America,
Federation of Labor began here today
and will continue for two weeks. The
morning session was devoted to well
coming the delegates and honorary
guests. some of them from England.
In his annual address President Com
pers made the following reference to the
status of the famous injunction case. in
volving Messrs. Gompers, Mitchell and
Morrison, officers of the federation:
ut has been the purpose of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor ever since in
functions of this character have been is
sued to have the United States Supreme
Court pass judgment upon them. They
are fundamental. They strike into the
very bottom of the principles of personal
liberty and equality before the law If II
were our purpose to avoid the conse-
quences of the assertion Of our rights,
there has not been a time during these
entire proceedings in the last five years
when we could not have avoided them.
But there had been developed in employ
ers of labor and business men a mental
attitude and a condition in which they
undertook to deny to the working people
Of our country rights which are accorded
to all other citizens. The Issue was clean
cut. and we have been glad of the oppor-
deavored to make this issue before the
courts.
THE dispute with the Buck Stove and
Range Company and the injunction is
sued upon its petition afforded the desired
opportunity. At our own wish, as well as
upon the direction of the American Fed
GRAFTON Of Labor, advantage was taken of
this injunction in order that the case
might be made full and complete and the
issue tested before the several judicial
tribunals until it had reached the United
States Supreme Court. Inasmuch as the
opportunity is afforded equally to labor s
opponents. feel confident that they also
will be glad that the questions at issue
shall be determined by our highest jul
dicial tribunal
Issued 334 Charters.
Referring to the growth Of the fedora
ton Mr.. Gompers said:
For the fiscal year ending September
80. 1910, there were issued by the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor 1874 certificates
OF af1liation (charters), as follows: Inter-
national unions. 2; state declarations. 1;
city central bodies, 50: local trade unions,
152: federal labor unions, SO; total, 334.
"At the close Of the fiscal yeay there
were affiliated to our federation: Inter-
national unions. 40: state declarations, 80;
city central bodies. 60; local trade unions,
49,: federal labor unions, 218; total,
1.43&'
In conclusion Mr.. Gompers said:
In the campaign of Organization, in
the great and diversified work which our
federation undertakes in the interest of
the totlers, we have often felt the dire
need Of funds. A scrutiny Of our ex-
penditures will disclose that there is not a
dollar devoted to any purpose but which
makes directly for the workers welfare.
1T Is urgently recommended that this
convention adopt q slight increase in the
per capita Of affiliated organizations. ]
am convinced beyond all peradvanture
that with some additional funds at the
disposal of your officers great good will
be accomplished in the interest of the
organizations and the workers generally -
Report Of Secretary.
In presenting the annual report of the
secretary's office Secretary Morrison de-
clared in his preface that at the close OF
the fiscal year there were $1S2, 914.96 in
the treasury of the organization, and OF
the amount on hand s121 $3.50 was in
the defense fund for the local trade and
federal labor unions and could be used to
pay benefits only In case Of a strike OF
lockout of the members of these local
unions.
The total receipts from all sources were
reported as $193, 470S4; the total expenses
SIT, S59.34, leaving a balance Of receipts
over expenditures Of $15,611.5O.