The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-11-15
'GOMPERS REVIEWS | WORK OF YEAR
 FOR UNION MEN
Hopes For Reversal of Decision in Danbury Hatters' Case Refers to Justice Golf and the Moon Injunction Bill

St. Louis, Mo, Nov. 1.-The open- ing session of the thirtieth annual convention of the American Federation Of Labor was turned into an insur- gent political rally by Owen Miller, President of the Missouri Federation of Labor. Jeers greeted the name of Joseph G. Cannon and loud applause welcomed the name of Champ Clark.
 President Gompers in his annual re- port says that for the fiscal year end ing September 30 there were issued by the American Federation of Labor 334 charters as follows: International un- ions two. State Federations one, city central bodies e.ghty-three, local la Dor unions 152, Federal labor unions ninety-six. At the close of the fiscal year the following were affiliated to the Federation: International unions, 120, State Federations thirty-nine, City Central bodies 632, local labor un- ions 431, Federal labor unions 216; to- tai 1.43S. The International unions enumerated have approximately 28,OOO local unions under their jurisdiction.
 During the past year the affiliated International unions report they have issued 2.157 charters to local unions, and thereby and by adhesion to ex- istfng locals have increased their mem bersh-p for the year 218,229 members. The membership in the affiliated |. or ganizations is near the highest figure in their existence.
 Denying that trade unionism is nar- row, the report says: slt is fact that trade unionisIn .n America moves On in its own set and deliberate way. In so doing, 1t has Outlfved wave upon wave of hastily conceived so- called broad movements that were to reconstruct society in single season. And it has sufficiently good cause for continuing it's own reasoned-out course"
 Referring to the garment workers strike the report criticises the injunc- tion issued by Judge Golf, who laid down the principle that to strike for the ''closed shop" is illegal. This is to decisions of the United States Su- preme court.
 Dealing with labor legislation in Congress, MT. Gompers said that if the House of Representatives had ex- ercised the power and the rights with which it was originally endowed, the men of labor would not have occa- s'on to persistently protest against the application and abuse of the writ of injunction in labor disputes. Neither would they be confronted with the confusing interpretations of law which have emanated from our courts in the latter's attempts to link up a trade union with an industrial or com mercial trust dealing in the products of labor.''
 President Taft is criticised for his opposition to the Hughes amendment to the section in the sundry civil b Il providing for the prosecution of crim- fnal trusts. This amendment exempt ed labor unions and was defeated in the House.
 Referring to the Moon bill in Con- gress which MT. Gompers declared provided legal authority for the is- suance of injunctions, he said the President at first urged MT. Moon and the committee to report the bill, but party exigency evidently forbade 1t. He denied that the Federation had asked for a jury trial in contempt cases.
 Three suits for damages are pend ing in the Federal courts under the Sherman antitrust law; Loewe & Co.,, against the United Hatters of North America; A. Sitouler against the Gar ment Workers union and others, and c. W. Post against the officers of the American Federation of Labor. the Of- ficers of a number of affiliated orga- nizations and the new management of the Bucks Stove and Range e.
 An effort has been made, the report
 
 garment workers suit present a com prehensive defense, so that the funda- mental principles involved in labor's contention in regard to the antitrust law may again be brought to the at tention of the courts. My hope is,' said MT. Gompers, that if defense is made which shall connprehensively and fundamentally bring the cause be- fore the lower courts and if necessary through the other courts until it shall reach the United States Supreme Court we may have full review by the courts and a possible substant'a al re- versal of the decision, in the matters case"
 Secretary Morrison reports s1S2 914.e .e6 in the treasury at the close of the fiscal year. Of the amount on hand $121, ,966.59 is in the defense fund for the local trade and Federal labor un- ions and can be used to pay benefits only in the case of strike or lock- out of the members Of these local unions. The balance $60, ,951.37, Is in the general fund. Of that fund only s5557.S3 is available for the general expenses of the American Federation of Labor.