United labor bulletin., 1912-11-21
COMPERS HITSS0CIALIST
Colorado Well Represented in
Convention o Gems From
Gompers' Report.

jumpers ncpUII
For the first time in the history of the
conventions Of the American Federation
of Labor the Socialist is meeting with
adverse criticism
President Gompers intimated as much
in his report, and officers of the council
have referred to 1t indirectly. Hereto
fore the Socialist has always been the
aggressive party toward the A +. Of L.
administration. II seems to be Gompers
turn now.
IL is charged by Socialist delegates to
the annual convention that prominent Ia
Dor leaders have by innuendo worked to
bring about the defeat of the reelection
OF Victor Berger to congress from Wis
consin-
The names Of p. ]. Ryan of the Mary
land State Federation. and Milton Smell
ing OF the Washington. ID. c.. Central
trades Council are mentioned in this
connection. They are charged with
srumping Wisconsin in opposition to
Berger.
These men are close friends of Com
pers- Gompers. in turn. has the power
, TO recall them or at least bring them to
trial. but no such procedure has been
Forthcoming.
The Denver delegates TO the A. F. OF
l.. convention are koany kenehan. state
treasurer. representing the International
nofs.shoers union; h. r. Garman, state
sva-tos. representing the Denver Trades
and Labor Assembly; Ralph Moser, rep
resen.ing the International Association
of steam Engineers. and Charles h.
-aoyer. representing the Western Feder-
al..n OF s.Iners and the Colorado State
eGeratIon Of Labor. Edward Anderson
oI isueD is at the convention represent
ing the Baoers international union.
ttoAdy henehan and Harvey Garman
weie appointed on the committee OF laws
..au Moyer Is on the committee on state
organization.
The proposed amendment OF the Direct
Legislation league OF Colorado favorinE
t.4e opening OF schools as social centers,
vas highly commended by President
.oanpers IN his annual report Although
the amendment is undoubtedly defeated.
uompers predicted that the principle in
,olyed would surely be adopted univer-
sally in the near future.
Gems From Gompers' Report.
Entrusted to the keeping OF organized
labor. are power and opportunity to fight
for the right. to strike down the wrong.
to secure for all the right to free Ike
and to work which will best express the
ment of those ennobling aspirations IL
is an honor to enlist. not for battle or
a campaign. but for all time. so long as
life lasts.
BY the magic token OF that one word.
Organization the wrongs of Labor will
vanish; the rights. hopes. and aspiration
of the toilers will be realized
wherever the working people have
made progress, some form of organiza-
ton has been the agency that has trans
formed individual impotency into collec-
tive strength-fraternities, lodges, mer-
chant guilds. craft guilds have been help
full. but the labor unions, trade unions.
have been the most potent factors in
the forward movement
The demand for higher wages repre-
sents our conviction that constantly
greater share of increased social wealth
should go to those who create 1t. The
progress of humanity results from the
elimination OF poverty. Poverty means
degrading environment and influence
that result In intellectual and moral de-
generation. Permanent amelioration of
the human lot must have as Its basis ma
terial resources. The next step is to
distribute these products so that the
greatest number may fairly benefit there
by As an element in the forces deter
mining distribution, the trade union has
been most potent. A comparison of con-
ditions prevailing among unorganized
with those that have employed collec-
tive bargaining. reveals unmistakable
proofs OF the beneficient results due to
trade unionism. Higher wages mean bet
ter homes. better clothing. better food,
better bodies and minds. recreation. a
higher standard OF life.
The more efficient. more human
worker, demands better working condi-
tions, the aim being to conserve human
resources Much has been done to let
pure air and sunshine into working
places. to exclude conditions breeding or
ganisms injurious to life, but ever-in-
creasing knowledge and the widening Of
our conception forbid us to stop or stay
in the crusade for human welfare.
Among all the organizations on the
American continent working upon the
various phases OF this great problem. the
American Federation OF Labor is the
leader. and has often been the pioneer
blazing the way.
We have fought good fight. and are
cheered and heartened by our progress
and victories. Organize! Organize! Or
ganize, has been our slogan, and will
be our inspiration for the work Of the