The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-06-09
TWENTIETH ANNUAL
CONVENTION MEETS
Fredericksburg Greets State Gathering
of Federation of
Labor.
DAWSON ON THE Parasite.
In Opening Address Declares the
Non-producer Must he Eliminated.
Colvin Suggests legislature Pro-
gram.

Fredericksburg, Va. June S.-The
twentieth annual convention of the
Virginia Federation OF Labor is now
in full swing, having been called to
order at 10 o'clock this morning by
President E. c. Dawson, of Rich
mond.
After Rev r. c. Gilmore, had led
in prayer. addresses ofs'welcome were
delivered by Mayor j. r.. Rowe, rep
resenting the city; Rev. r. A. Will
Hams, representing the Ministerial AS
ISOLATION, and State Senator c. O'Con-
nor Goodrich, representing the Bust
ness Mems Association.
These addresses were responded to
on the part of the federation by Pres
ident Dawson in brief but appro-
pirate speech, He said, in part:
President Davison's Speech.
THAT great mass OF humanity COM
monty referred to as the working peo-
pie hold az sacred the memory of the
many deeds accomplished through the
great organizations of labor known
as labor unions.
Thousands of centuries have slip
ped into the forgotten columns of
the dead past, and the only living re-
cords are the milestones of history,
carved by the hand of labor Mon
dGtIitS nave bHE up uhN
passed out into oblivion, leaving moth
ing but time swept bleak space,
faint record. no authentic mark.
Ages and ages agone the hordes of
tolieFs plodded through life bonded
slaves A select few artisans, versed
in the arts of stone and iron, received
recognition and princely incomes for
their efforts in aiding the 'aggrandize-
ment of soulless despots that ruled
the people from habitations of splen-
dor.
There were classes then; all bond
ed slaves, with rights and liberties
the autocrat; the neglected massed
with the mob.
Controversies between labor and
power always existed. In later CEN
turtles il was designated as between
labor and capital that use that COM
modify as substitute for power.
There is no quarrel between labor and
ca pital, nor ever has been. 1t Is the
.exploiters of capital that use their
power which capital has to control
legislation.
The past is dead. Let US forget
the past and learn fully the lesson
taught by that cruel era.
The latter part of the nineteenth
century and the beginning of the
twentieth centuries shed the shackels
of slavery from the limbs of millions
OF foilers 1t was a closer utilization.
IA more thorough understanding that
accomplished the feat. Today we are
fairly well off A place in the Ma
ttonal government is. ours, clear
recognition in legislative affairs be-
long to us: capital in may instances
has proven to be our friend; ieg1sia-
tive rights and diplomacy has been
substituted for the bludgeon and gun
We must reckon our friends and class
them as worth while. Be in harmony
with each other for the henefit and up
lift of all. Eliminate the parasite that
prevs on both great world factors,
la Dor and capital,
Demand a square deal and give
back the same; urge and. work Tor
closer and stronger affiliation; be the
character of man that is the ideal OF
the labor movement"
Represents Every City and Town.
There are about SO delegates and
visitors attending the convention.
which will be in session for three days
Practically every city and town in the
State is represented.
Among those mentioned for presi-
dent to succeed President Dawson.
who will not be a candidate for re-
election, is Howard #. Colsain. OF Alex
andria. the present secretary. G. l.
Wilcox, OF the Richmond Central
Trades and Labor Council is being
urged by his friends for the Office or
financial secretary-treasurer.
Committee Assignments
President Dawson yesterday an
nounced the following committees:
Credentials-I- Fl. Gray, c. w. Fine.
David I4arKin, Miss Fannie Car
michael. Miss Minnie Young. 8. j.
TAYLOR, W. Fl. Moore
Rules of Order---C p. Harwood, W.
F.. McCaulley, NJ. r. Padgett. F. ii.
Adams. G. j. Thomas. o. j.. Kock. W.
r. Southworth.
Report of President--M w. Shep-
herd. Carl Rothmund. L. NJ. Saunders,
r. p Holloweil, Miss Mamie Cassidy.
Melee I4athram, Miss Alice Carmichael
Report OF Secretary Editor-Ben Will
Ian, Joseph Sprouse. Miss Lillian Nc
Cready. n. A.. Butler. B. H. Butts. s.
r. Critzer, William A. Moran.
Finanee--G. L. wilcox H. ]. Mer-'
ricks. r. s. Bashan r. T. Bowden. G. w.
Broughton, ]. II. Wilson, Charles
schmidt.
Resolutions--John Hirsehberg. ]. X.
Sparrow. j. w. Hatch. c. A. Walker.
Frank kraek, Miss Fanny Smith, J. J.
Crumiey.
Constitutional Observation-Disclosures
Lichtenstein. H A. White. j. e. Chance,
j. e. Bergendahl, ]. J. Rankin. w. G..
Massey Frad Rtafr