The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-14
c H|LLY BLASTS
GREET DELEGATES
Federation of Labor Gets Any
thing but Warm Reccp-
ton at Atlanta.
CONVENTION HALL is COLD
President Gompers Reads Re
port, Telling What Work
ingnen Desire.
CONVENTION HALL" is COLD

Atlanta, Ca, November l3-Iabor
hosts. gathered here to-day for the
thtrty-hrst annual convention of the
American Federation OF Labor. met
with u chilly reception. The coolest
weather In years made II impossible
10 neat the big convention hall to the
point of comfort, and with chatterlng
teeth the local speakers prefaccd their
addresses of welcome TO the visiting
delegates with an apology for falling
TO make good on their alluring prom
Uses oil flowers and sunshine last year
at St Louis
PRESIDENT Gompers read his annual
report at the afternoon session. which
was given almost entirely to the re-
cepuon of the reports of executive
officers
The spirit Of revolt and change is
abroad III the land" said President
Gompers.
Voters now are demanding better
reasons for support of particular
candidate than his nomination by
party or his Endorsement by some Of
hcial or unofficial boss. Tho people
who form the rank and file of political
parties arc moro progressive than their
leaders. they Will no longer submit
to the rule of evasion and false pre-
lenses found in platforms
The people have had the sense and
courage to strike off tho shackles of
the corporate agent working as u cor
rupter OF legislative bodies and to re-
bel against an autocratic and boss
owned judiciary"
Declaring the recall, initiative and
referendum are burning issues, certain
OF adoption, President Gompers said:
This semi edificatlon OF the judici-
airy. this sanctimonious cant about
mob rule some OF which was in Presi-
dent Tafts message vetoing the Con-
stitution OF Arizona, is mere cant and
drlvcl.
II deem 1t unwise. or rather, i'm
polite, TO attempt to abolish political
parties, but II we cannot destroy them
We may do much in the way OF con-
trolling them.
Pleading for anti-injunctlon lesiSla-
ton. President Gompers said:
The laborers of this country want
10 know where they are with regard
to the law. They hold not themselves,
but the courts. have been violators of
the law"
Mcnamara Cnse.
Concerning tho Mcnamara case,
President Gompors said in part:
General harrison Gray Otis, of the
Times. although miles from the spot
OF the explosion, lost not single
disaster, in words of hate and fury.
TO the trade unions. He had no facts
whatever, except his insane enmity.
upon which to base his charges, The
manner Of the stealing away of John
j. Mcnamara made ii obligatory upon
union labor to tako up his case
Justice Wright. OF the District Su-
preme Court. also came in for word.
lashins from President Gompers. in
tI.,,, ,X,N
the labor leaders for alleged con-
tempt OF court charges had cost them
Bucks Stove and Range case. Mr..
Gonpcrs declaring that Justice Wright
Is blasted" and 'prejudiced." and
should be removed az tho trial judge.
President Gompers and Secretary
Morrison report their defense of con-
tempt of court charges had cost them
10 date nearly $4,000, and they have
$4,000 remaining in the defense fund
Figures on the McNamara defense
fund are not given.
For Eight-Hour Day.
Success of the protest against in
stallation of the Taylor system in
government workshops and extension
OF the eight-hour day upon Federal
work were recounted by President
Gompers. To extend provisions OF tho
eisht-hour day to all public works. in
Guiding ships, armor and large guns
made In private factories. was recon-
mended by the federation president
Regarding the right of government
employees to free speech and the privi-
leSe of complaint and petition, Presi.
dent Gompers told the convention:
We intend TO see that these consti
tutional rights shall not be trans
cupies tho White House or holds a
crossed or invaded by whatsoever oc.
position as Cabinet officer"
Secretary Morrison. In his report
stated there were 1859 strikes during
the last year. affecting 10000 work.
men. and costing s4.7OO.OOO. Ho re-
ported victory in 642 of the strikes,
compromise of ninety. loss of ninety
three. and that 261 are pending
TO unemployed workmen last year
s2lS.o00 was paid in benefits, according
to Secretary Morrison. Death benefits
of Sl,370,Q00, and sick benefits OF SSlS-
600 also were paid.
Most significant OF all the days ut
torances was that of Mr.. Gompers, in
responding to the addresses of well
come of Governor Hoke Smith, Mayor
CORTLAND $. Winn and others, when
lie declared that he, Secretary Morri-
son and Vice President John Mitchell
were ready TO go to Jail in defense OF
i"po' iiSHtS III tAs event the con-
tempt sentence OF Justice Wright, OF
the Supreme Court of the District OF
Columbia. was sustained.
Justice Wright either intended to
crush the federation or break our
spirit" said Mr.. Gompers. He has
done neither. The federation will con-
tinue to grow and aid in the uplift OF
humanity
All tho contested delegates TO the
convention were seated on reoommen-