Omaha daily bee., 1914-11-10
LABOR FEDERATION AT WORK
Thirty-Fourth Annual Convention
Opens in Philadelphia.
PRAISE FOR THE CLAYTON BILL
Executive Council Says ft f. Organ
iSed Labor's Greatest Accom-
pIIshment for Year-Mem-
bership Two millions.

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. e-The thirty
fourth annual convention OF the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor opened here to-
day to continue for two weeks. Prior
TO the meeting there was a short street
parade. The city appropriated $4,000 to-
ward the expenses of the convention and
in entertaining the delegates. A court OF
honor that stretched from the city hall
TO the convention place greeted the Wis
itors
Jurisdctional fights, which have fea-
tured some Of the past conventions OF
the federation are likely to take up time
in the present gathering The status Of
American employees in the Panama canal
zone also will be discussed.
The most important contest over the
seating OF delegates is from the United
Garment Workers OF America.
One faction is headed by the old gem
eral officers OF that union and the other
by new set elected at Nashville last
month.
Pronouncing the passage Of the Clay
ton trust bill as organized labors great
est single accomplishment for the last
year, the executive council OF the Amerl-
can Federation OF Labor presented it's
annual report today TO the thirty-fourth
convention of the federation here The
voluminous document covers every ques-
ton which has affected labor during the
year, including the European war.
OF the Clayton bill the councils state
nent says that It contains the most
fundamental. the most comprehensive
enunclation OF Industrial freedom, found
In any legislative act I'm the history of
the world" and that II was obtained
! through "the organized economic power
represented by the workers Of the United
| States.
! Discussing economic organization as the
Keynote OF the federation's thought and
effort, the council expressed pride in the
report of progress transmitted "at q
time when most OF the civilized coun.
tries are submerged by a worldwide
war" while in the United States "or
every hand the workers are insisting
upon the maintenance of organization
and resistance to deterioration of present
working conditions. Organized labor" |,
adds. has assisted the effort to mltIgat,
the Industrial disorganlzation and losse,
cntoiled by the European war"
Summing up steps that may be taken
toward the adjustment Of war the re-
poet continues:
"Militarism and competitive armament
must be abolished and tribunals for
awarding justice and agencies for en-
forcing determinations must be instituted.
international interests and issues exist
Political institutions should be estab-
lished corresponding to political develop
ments. Those most interested should
lead In demands for world federation and
the rule 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 dis
organization OF industry and commerce
which results from war
Lengthy presentations were made OF
conditions in mining fields In West vir.
ginia, Colorado, Michigan and Montana
including much OF the correspondence OK
changed between operators. employe,
and officials Of the federal and stat,
governments.
Statistical heports show the member
ship this year 20 total 2,O2Os71, as agains
i.sS6,oO4 last year, The 1-cent assessment
fund to defray expenses OF the United
Hatters and contempt cases shows tina
Of N6.Ols, the sum Of s14.752 has bean ex
pended. the largest item being attor
neys fees to Alton b. Parker for botl
cases. amounting to 1851. Charters is
sued this year to various unions mum
bered 296.