The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-11-09
International Society to Pre-
vent War Is Urged.
CONDITIONS N COLORADO
DespOtism Exists Under Guise
of Industry, Says Report.
Strikes Have Helped Condition
Of Many Workers.

annual conventiokl 81 the American
feoerat1on or Labor was opened here
today to continue for two weeks.
Prior to the assembling of the
gathering there was q short street pa
rade, In which nearly all the dele
gates participated. The city of Phil
adelphia appropriated $4,000 to as
sist in defraying the expenses of the
convention and in entertaining the
delegates. A court of honor that
stretched from city hall to the con-
vention place greeted the visiting
Jurisdictional fights, which have
featured some of the past conventions
of the federation. are likely to take up
some of the time of the present gath
erfngs. The status of American en-
p1oyees in the Panama canal zone will
also be discussed. The most fmpor-
tant contest over the seating Of dele
gates is that in the United Carmen
Workers of America. Two sets of
delegates are applying to be seated.
To Prevent Wars.
The 2,020,671 members were urged
by the executive council in its annual
report this afternoon to begin to form
an international society to prevent
forever another war.
Convinced that the greatest bur
dens Of the European war are falling
upon the shoulders of the toilers the
council declared: THE working peo-
pie, the masses Of the worlds popu-
lation, can end wars If they but have
the independence to think and to give
their convictions reality by daring to
do. Wars will cease only when So
ciety Is convinced that human life is
really sacred and when society estab-
fishes agencies. International as well
as national, for protecting lives :"
THn nf4 declared tho convention
must adopt some constructive plan to
stop warfare.
The great growth of the federation
was reported in the annual statement
Of Frank Morrison. the secretary
Since the meeting a year ago, he said.
62.sS2 laborers have Joined. making
the total membership over two mill
lions. In % states and Porto Rico 225
charters were issued to new branches.
From financial standpoint there was
a balance of $102.492,81 in the treas
ury at the close Of the year.
Only through aJpowerful forganiza-
ton. said the executive council. can
a sns 1safFsslea & asSnmpne
thing hey aaccontpl fshed, during the
past year. Secretary Morrison pointed
out that as a result of the 957 strikes
conditions for 1880 workers were
materially. improved. The total cost
Of the strikes, counting the $10S,2O2
raised by unions for the assistance of
strikers, amounted to $4.389, $40. - .
Money Paid Out.ss,s 81
For the purposes of organization the
federation paid $79,713 to fifty-two
workers Alton B. Parker. Democratic
candidate for president in 1908. was
paid 9,548 for legal services in behalf
OF the federation. Other miscellaneous
items showed that It cost $33 507 to pub
Fedora ffnnfSt
sulting in a net loss of $5.466. :.
The annual report was filed with rec
concentrations. Its suggestions even
extended to the Recommendation to
congress that the United States pur-
chase Monticello and Mount Vernon.
homesteads of Thomas Jefferson and
George Washington
Discussing the ''feudal conditions" In
Colorado. the report said: The min
ing companies owned all the dwellings;
caused county commissioners to vacate
roads in their favor; required passes OF
those using the highways; controlled
stores. churches and schools, and main
tanned their regulations by the use OF
mine guards. The mine operators pol
icies have been dominated by the Col
orado Fuel and Iron company. which ID
controlled by the Standard Oii COM
In Colorado. sit ssaid, ''an the organ
lied agencies Of the state were SUD-
aeryieut to the corporations me Ia "
of the state regarding minors were
broken with cynical disregard civil
authority in Colorado broke down un-
der the contest that ensued. The state
militia was put at the service OF the
coal companies. Brutality, coercion ana
bYoodshed followed" Federal troops
then entered the strike zone.
president Wilson in his letters
transmitting the plan of settlement
stated that the duration OF the strike:
it's many stages and possibilities nao
made 1t of national Importance, yet as
there was no indication OF purpose
to reach an adjustment OF differences
1t was necessary to Determine whether
or not the president was justified In
using the army OF the United states
indefinitely for police purposes. rms
Is the issue which ultimately reverts to
the nation. 1t involves the larger issue
OF whether despotism shall be permit
ted to exist under the guise OF industry
We hope for the ultimate success OF
the miners of Colorado
On Mars Waste.
Referring to the European war the
report asserted: The cruelty ana
butchery of the war are appalling. The
waste and the suffering In Its wake
are heart-rending. Nations are sending
the flower of their manhood to meet
certain death. The strong. the healthy.
the fit leave the work of the nation to
the old and the very young. to women
ana to children. For centuries the ma
lions will suffer from this mad, stupid
80 nj tn0 ~ NJ