United labor bulletin., 1914-11-14
358Dele&ateS, Represent
Ing 100000 Members
Executive Committee Report Covers
Every Phase Of Industrial Strue-
Gle; Gompers Given Ovation


Of affiliated unions, when the thirty
fourth annual convention of the Amer
lean Federation OF Labor assembled in
Philadelphia last Monday. For the first
time since 1894 no fraternal delegates
came from the British Trades Union
Congress, which did not hold a meeting
this year becuase of the European war.
Samuel Gompers presided over the open
ing session and there were addresses OF
welcome by Governor Tener, Mayor
Blankenburg and heads OF state and city
labor organizations. When President
Gompcrs arose TO respond to addresses
Of welcome he was given an ovation by
delegates and visitors
a brief discussion arose over the
claim OF delegates from seceding fac
tion Of the United Garment Workers 10
seats. The regular delegates, President
Thomas A. Rickort and Secretary Ber-
nnrd A. Larger. were seated by a de-
ci,ive majority vote Of the convention.
Pronouncing the passage OF the Clay
ton trust bill AZ organized labor's great
czt single accomplishment for the last
wear, the executive council presented its
annual report TO the convention. The
Voluminous document covers every ques-
tion which has affected labor during the
year, including the European war.
Greatest Legislative Victory.
OF the Clayton bill the councils state
mcnt says that It contains the most
fundamental, the most comprehensive
cnuneia;ion OF industrial freedom found
in any legislative act in the history Of
the world and that IL was obtained
through "the organized economic power
represented by the workers OF The
United States.
Discussing economic organizations as
tho KEYNOTE of the Fcderation's thought
aud effor., sthe council expressed pride
IN the report of progress transmitted
at time when most Of the civilized
countries are submerged by world
wide war; while in the United States
'on every hand the workers are insist
ing upon the maintenance Of organiza-
tion and resistance to deterioration of
present working conditions Organ
ized labor" !, adds. has assisted the
effort To mitigate the industrial disor-
ganization and losses cntailed by the
European war"
Men Military Pawns.
Before the war; II continues. "the
thought and effort Of civilization were
ccntcred upon the development and glor-
ification OF human life. One life was
counted of infinite vnluc. But since the
cataclysm that brought war between the
nations men are treated only mill
tary pawns. Things are valued for their
iife-destroying power. Guns are worth
more than men"
The war is said to be the product OF
artificial conditions and policies and
rcpugnant to the thought and political
progress of the age; but so far we have
made little progress in providing agcn-
cies for organizing international rela-
tions to maintain peace and justice.
The war has shown that war cannot be
stopped by resolutions and that war
cannot put an end to itself. War viii
cease only when society is convinced
that human life is really sacred and
when society establishes agencies. inter
national as well as national, for pro-
tecting lives"
Summing mp steps that may he taken
toward the abolishment of war. the ne
por. continues:
"Militarism and competitive arma-
mont must be abolished and tribunals
for awarding justice and agencies for
enforcing determinations must be in
stituted. International interests and Is
sues exist Political institutions should
be established corresponding to political
developments. Those most interested
should lead in demands for world fcdcr-
alton and the rules OF reason between
nations. The working people of all lands
bear the brunt of war. They do the
fighting. pay the war taxes. suffer most
from the dsorganization Of industry and
commerce which results from war;
Mexican Situation.
Turning to the Mexican situation, the
report makes public letter from Presi-
dent Gompcrs to Rafael Zubaran.
United States Representative, Mexican
Constitutionalists," dated July Ia of
this year, saying the Federation, more
than any other American agency except
the government of the United States,
aided the success of the prospective
government" and urges the withdrawal
Of the avowcd declaration of those who
speak or assume to speak in tho name
of General Carranza" that "rctribution
of the most draconian character" would
be visited upon those responsible for the
overthrow Of Madcro. Such with
drawal, the letter added, would have n
tranquilizing effect and tend "to unite
the people of Mexico in support of nm
orderly government"
The report adds; "We, extend to the
pcople Of Mexico under this new regime
our fluctuations and our best hopes for
their welfare and progress"
Lengthy presentations were made OF