The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-11-18
GOnPERS' ADDRESS
AT FEDERATION
PRESIDENT OF LABOR HOSTS.
DELIVERED GREAT ADDRESS
TO ANNUAL MEETING or FED
GRAFTON OF LARoR-oTHER
REPORTS.

Rochester, N. Y, Nov. 1S.-The an
nual reports Of the president. secre-
tary and treasurer of the American
Federation of Labor were presented to
the thirty -Second annual convention
of the organization in session in this
city on Monday last.
The report OF Pres. Samuel Gompers
was a thorough and voluminous re-
view Of the work of the organization
for the past year, particularly with
regard to legislation endorsed and sup
ported by the federation. Discussing
the growth Of the federation, Mr.,
Gompers, report set forth that during
the year ending Sept. 80, 1912, ESQ
charters were issued to labor organi-
cations a~ffiliating with the federation,
THE average membership reported,
and upon whom capita tax was
paid by the affiliated organizations to
the American Federation of Labor
during the past year." said the report,
twas 1.770,145, an increase over the
number reported for 1911 which was
1871, 1886. On Sept 80. 1912, the MEM
bership of the AFFILIATED organizations
was 1,S41.26S."
President Gompers reported progress
in the organization of the information
al labor movement in Canada. and in
Porto Rico. In Canada he reported a
CHA 5A4p Va AASAAA NapS w. 'HA
900 in the Trades and Labor congress,
and in Porto Rico he declared 100
unions had been organized with 5000
members. Improved working condi-
lions were reported in both Canada
and Porto Rico.
President Gompers' report included
statements from the building trades,
metal trades. mining, railroad en-
ployes, and union label trades depart
ments. showing, the progress made by
each department. of the federation dur
ing the year. In the report was includ-
ed a statement by Albert J.. Berries.
secretary-treasurer of the metal trades
department, in which he said:
"The Los Angeles strike continued
for a period covering more than TWEEN
ty-one months. AT the beginning OF
the fight the organization among the
workers of that city vas in a deplor-
able condition. 1t is generally con
coded by those who were on the ground
that our fight for the shorter work.
day would have been o had 1t not
been for the ~deplorab1e calamity in
connection with the destruction of The
Los Angeles Times building. Even
with this handicap, after the public
declaration of labor's position and at
titude toward the alleged crime, there
was stiH a chance Of winning, Up to
the time when the guilt of the Nc
Namaras was established by their
confession. Then it was recognized
that there was no chance of winning
the strike, or p~ersuading the employ
ers to make concessions"
After discussing the visit of Carl
Legien, secretary of the international
secretariat, to the United States last
spring, Mr.. Gompers' report recon-
mended that the American federation
send a representative to the meeting
| OF, the .secretariat if one is held in
| 1919. and that, If nokmeeting is held
in that year the &ede gaon invites this
secretarfat to meet 1T San Francisco
in 1915, during the Panama Pacific ex.
| position, either Immediately before OIL
Immediately following the convention
of the American federation.
The report highly recommended the
Labor Forward movement organized
in Minnesota for spreading the unior
labor doctrines,
Mr.. Gompers discussed at length the
efforts of the American federation tt
organize workers in the steel industry
| He outlined an extensive campaign Of
education among foreigners working
in the steel mills
| Reviewing the legislative work OF
the year Mr.. Gompers set forth thai
fifteen members Of trade unions af,