Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-11-13
ned itself seriously about the casual

/ anna canal. however. will without doubt
bring about a total change in the labor
situation of the Pacific coast, both IN
ternally and with relation 10 other
countries II has already been calcu-
lated that immigrants from Europe
may be landed via the Panama canal
at Pacific coast seaports for a less
sum than is required 20 pay the pas
sage to inland points in states OF the
middle west II is 70 be remembered
that the enormous fleets Of foreign yes
sells which are in the immigration
trade are seeking business the world
over. In a single year, aided by the
climate the present Transatlantic
fleet could carry 500, 600 wage workers
from the southwest Of Europe to the
Pacific coast ports, while also trans
porting the average yearly number 10
the Atlantic coast ports. This is Il
more than probable forthcoming con-
dition 10 be faced by our fellow trade
unionisls Of Washington, Oregon and
California"
EMPLOYERS LIABILITY.
In the federation's fight for employ
ers' ability and workingmen's com
pensation laws. progressive legislation
is reported from the states of Massa-
chusetts New Jersey. New Hampshire,
New York. Ohio, California, Florida.
Illinois. Kansas. Vermont. Washington
and Wisconsin. The work of the com
mission. which has been hearing sug-
gestions for federal laws, is highly
commended and il is expected that
some report will be made 10 the COM
ing congress.
The work Of the United States bu-
reau Of mines IN establishing mine
rescue stations through the coal re-
gions and the campaign of education
which the bureau has been carrying
on among miners is warmly commend
ed
The report endorses the bill intro
duced al the last congress by Repre- /
sentative Sulzer of New York Great /
ing a department Of labor in the fed F..
edal government.
LAWS TO PROTECT LIFE.
In an appeal for better laws to pro /.
tec, life and health in factory build /
iugs. President Gompers refers TO the /.
fire in the Triangle Shirt Waist COM /
Jany's building in New York last April |
in which 143 girls lost their lives.
In scoring the so-called efficiency
and scientific amusement systems. .
President GOmpers declared as false .
statements that the systems have in I
creased wages. He charged that the .
systems work undue hardships on the .
Is Dor ard result in no material gain.
President GOmpers said, is steadily F.
going on. and he declared that labor /
men could find satisfaction in the fact F.
that the last congress applied the /
eight hour law to the construction OF (
battleships and that those provisions
Ct the law had been put iato effect by
the executive officers Of the govern .
ment.
SENiTE THIRD DEGREE.
Among the other subjects treated in .
the report are child labor, locomotive .
boiler inspection. the Danbury hatters'
case, the senate third degree investi-
cation. seameH's rights. railroad track .
inspection, insurance laws. the strike
Of the women's garment workers. the
Baldwin locomotive works strike and /
the work of the federatiOns organ
izeTs. Each is treated briefly, report
ing progress. but without any recon-
mendations other than those hitherto
expressed.
The membership Of the organization
was never so great. According TO
Secretary MOrrisOn's report, its finan-
rial condition is excellent The treas
airy shows a balance Of nearly $780,
poe on hand Nearly 100000 was
lisbursed in support OF strikes by the
various unions which are affiliated
with the federation. During 1911 the
federation issued 32G charters to
unions. bringing the total of its or
sanization membership to 1,4C4. In (
Individual membership the federation
gained nearly 200 900 during the year.
FEDERATION Is SOUND.
The American Federation of Labor
through its affiliated organizations has
oday the largest membership in its
history said President Gompers in
Conclusion. Its standing is sound and
prospects are bright In its long
irawn out legal contests there is more
'eason than ever 10 assume that
abOr's cause will win. In number
# important strikes during the year.
We have had gains. and there has been
tendency TO continue the shortening
# the work day, to 90 away with child
abor. and 10 animate the Uuorganized
masses with a desire to take part in
he great labor movement
Our movement has no schism with
procedures, its form of organization,
nd its tactics. come from without )
Al who would divert IL from its estab- I
shed prin ciples are enemies. working )
or the promotion of Institutions for {
ign 10 its character Those who
rCuld change 1t aim at its disintegra-
ion
This is true whether the antagonist
4 view is the college president who Z
elieves in the right of the non-union-