The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-11-11
Annual Convention Of the American
Federation Of Labor Was Opened
To-day by President
oompers.
REPORTS ARE RECEIVED
Organization Has Made Steady Prog
ress Despite all Obstacles and
Now Has Larsa
Membership.

Louiecu TISSe L6aS6u wire SeTviC0.l
ROCHESTER,, N. Y. Nov. 11.--Nev-
er in the history OF the American Fed
Grafton OF Labor has it's membership
been larger and the outlook for the
future of organized labor more
roseate, according to President Sam
uel Gompers, in his address today in
opening the annual labor convention
Higher wages and fewer hours OF
labor have lightened labor's burdens
immeasurably, Gompers declared. He
urged the man In the overalls' to
stand united for future betterment.
Gompers said the federation's mem
bers now number 1,S41,o 600 as against
| 1,7T0,145 last year.
''The demand for higher wages
he declared, represents our convic-
tion that larger share OF wealth
should go to those who create It.. The
progress Of humanity results from the
elimination OF poverty"
Urging labor to support the ini-
tiative. referendum and recall, Comp
ers sounded labor's political campaign
cry. declaring when political ma
chinery responds to public opinion
the electorate will attain real DEM
ocracy.''
| Gompers said the federation is nom
partisan, but unites to defeat its
fees at the polls and elect It's friends.
He did not commeent on the recent
election results.
4 Among the policies Gompers ad-
vocated were:
Citizenship for Porto Ricans.
Extension of the federation in
Canada
Organization of steel workers.
Opposition to compulsory arbitra-
tion laws.
Extension of the eight hour law.
Limiting injunction and contempt
proceedings.
Passage Of rigid immigration ex-
clusion act.
Limiting federal judges tenure
Popular election of United States
senators.
Employers liability and workmens'
compensation laws.
Old age pensions.
Wide use of schools
Gompers said the ''deplorable calam-
iity' of the dynamiting OF the Los
Angeles Times broke the metal work
ers' strike there. He said the "wretch-
ed conditions and social injustice"
among the steel workers was the
!, basis OF the federation's present cam
paign to unionize that industry.
4 Despite all obstacles we have
made steady progress" Gompers de-
clared. Shoulder to shoulder we
press onward and onward
| Secretary Frank Morrison defend
ed the right to strike in his annual
report.
4 THE right is the difference between
free labor and slave labor" said Nor
rison "The strike is not boon--it
lis often a hardship-but the strike
has been the most formidable and
! powerful weapon in achieving sue
cesses. When labor is fighting for a
A principle or justice it does not count
the cost in dollars and cents
] Morrison said the total wage in
creases in one year that labor had
i secured to itself was $30,18S,0 900 and
hours of labor have been reduced an
nually, in the aggregate 21,113o00. He
also reported the payment of $4,000
in old age pensions last year.
The thirty-second annual conven-
ton of the American Federation or
Labor was called to order today in
Convention Hall, by President Sam
uel Gompers
Richard Curran, chairman of the
local committee, delivered an address
of welcome. This was formally fol-
lowed by responses. The regular
business of the convention was to be
taken up this afternoon, when the re-
ports of President Gompers and the
other officials We're to be delivered.
Indications thus far are that the
old Officers will all be reelected and
: thai legislation for submission to
! congress- will he discussed