The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-09-08

working day is at hand. IS the Pred1c-
 ton made by President Julius c, Strenleau, in his annual report sub
 mitted today to the convention of the
 State Federation of Labor, in session
 here President Strem1eau cites the j report of the federal industrial com mission, recommending the eight hour day, as indicative that such working conditions are sImperative.' ''
 The report of President Strem1au fellows:
 EelInW Trade Unfonfsts.
 ssssaIfts with pleasure that submit to the thirtieth annual convention 8
 bEfex report as president of the Con-
 ne<ticut State Branch of the A. F.
 of
 We are again assembled for the
 purpose of discussing and perfecting II plans for our future Each year
 brings for the trade union movement
 new tests and new problems and the
 year just closed has not been with
 out it's hardship and it's disap point
 xnents and yet not discouraging, for
 fhas past year with it's severe trials
 has passed Nand we have not lost in
 strength, influence or organization,
 n fact, the past year has been one of most gratifying progress and steady eroHth for the trade union movement n Connecticut and the Federation
 has shared in the progress While Ere have not secured quite as many locals in af6Hation as we did last year
 
 a steady gain has been made and the
 Federation Is today larger and of greater influence than ever before
 It Is of the greatest importance
 that you. the delegates to this 1015z Aeonventpn came to it's session fully aware of the great responsibility and
 dnky which rests upon you. that you came ready to consider and decide all matters purely and wholly from the standpoint Of human welfare. Let all things be done in the spirit that # will make this gathering one that will inspire. neT courage and love for humanity and prepare for still more glorious success for the trade union movement
 IEGIEIlATION- ' In dealing with this phase of our work shall not attempt to discuss in detail our action in the General Assembly. purpose to direct your attention only to such issue, as are znore urgent and fundamentaL
 From the beginning of the session Of the General Assembly we realz-i ed that our fight would be an h1p- hill
 one Our first disappointment was the make-up Of the coTnnietees. We had hoped that the coInfniftee on la bcr would be selected Of men that were interested in the bills that come before that committee, or, at least,
 or men coming from industrial cen ters that wou1d be sufficiently in IOQCA f4lL1 12OO11uS 1nLeESSlS to 1I11-5 partially judge fhe merits of the bills Etntroduced fn behalf Of labor The
 comxnittee, with the exception of 1Ion4 Martin German of Danbury, was made up of men coming from dis t1icfs Where there was little or no chance for them 10 understand the 1a- bor problem.
 The Committee on Labor, their oc- cupa1ion and their respective towns were as fo1lows.
 Senator Charles o. Thompson of Pornfrets q farmer.
 Senator William H. Lewis of West
 brook. coal dealer.
 Representative George E. French of Essex, a town official
 Representative William B. Mitch M ell of Preston. draftsnnan.
 Representative Samuel e. Mclean Wof Glastonbury, a poultry fancier.
 Representative Albert R. Wells of Eouthington, rnanufacturer.
 Representative Jerome EC- Pa1ten of rGuilford, blacksmith.
 Representative Fred c. Hydel Of Avon, nachinist
 Representative Charles c. Lacey Of Fairfield, a mechanic.
 RepresentatiVe Stephen A. Tal- .Inadge of Prospect, d farmer. Representative Dwight F. Ransom N Of Barkhamsted, a farmer.
 Representative John J. c. Dave Of Harwinton, a farmer.
 Representative Martin German Of Danbury. a. natter.
 To this committee the majority of the measures that wesw er 6 interested were referrd to. Th hearing on al wnurnber of bills that had been intro duced. dealing with the shorter work day that is so much desired, was we'll ,ettendad. Our case was we'll present Ed by many members of organized la- bor. especially the Textile organiza- ton showed up4weII and put up a convincing plea for the shorter work day. as we'll as the ladies of the Con kuecttcut Woman's Suffrage Associa,- tion and Prof. Willard c. Fisher but ;au in vain, as the committee re- ported every bill dealing with the re- duction of hours sunfavorab1y The Polisherss and Buffers bill, l which is most desirable, as it would prohibit the Employment of women and minors at this most unhealthy occupation, was also presented in a most able manner by members of or ganized labor, by Prof. Willard c. Fisher, Attorney Thomas SpelIacy Vice President John l. Flynn of Gin cinnati, all producing statistics show ing it to be most dangerous occupa- ton for women, but this was also re- ported unfavorabIy as were many \ other desirable bills rejected by this Mcommittee
 ferred to it. many bills that, were of great importance.s but like the Labor Comnittee, appeared to think that the condition of the working class was a bed of roses The plea of our members was in vain on such bills as the Trades Dispute Act amending Section 1.26o.@the Advertising for Labor During Labor Troubles; the Hiring of Armed Guards. the Repeal Of the Personal Tax the Plumbers Bill; the Old Age Pensfon Bf1l:s the esta blishing of "a State Prfntery; the | One Days Rest in Seven. All the 1 above and several others were re- tported unfavorably andano heed was 1 given to our arguments in favor of those desirable acts, but when the merchants and their attorneys ap- De.arAds asking that the wage ex- |