The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-08-08
10th Annual Convention of
Vermont State Branch,
A. f. Of L., in Barre
90 DELEGATES
IN FIRST SE' AoN
Big Day of Meet s Comes
Tomorrow S.npers
the Chief ASgure

For its 18th annual convention. tn,
Vermont State Federation of Labor met
to-day in the city where organized labor
in the Green Mountain state was cradlec
some 30 years ago. Fifty.fve delegates
representing a variety OF trades, were in
their seats when the convention was
called to order in carpenters hall in the
Nichols block this forenoon at l0;3C
o'clock. Alexander Ironside of Barre
secretary of the executive council, called
the convention formally to order, after
much Of the preliminary detail incident
to organization had occupied the cxecu.
tive officers in the early forenoon. Each
delegate wore an attractive badge, spe.
cially designed for the convention, an6
there prevailed a feeling that the delib
eratlons of the labor men are to be un.
usually productive of good results.
With the convention under way, Secre.
tary Ironside called upon Rev Edgar
Grassland, pastor of the First Presbyte-
rian church, TO offer the invocation. Rev.
Mr.. Grassland came from East Northfield.
Mass, where he is spending his vaca-
tion, for the sole purpose of responding
to the invitation extended him by the
local committee. His prayer breathed
the hope that success may crown the ef-
forts OF the delegates in their delibera-
tions.
Then City Clerk james Mackay was
called upon for an address of welcome.
Mr.. MaGlIay acted in the unavoidable abb
sence OF Mayor Robert Gordon. After
extending a hearty greeting to the as.
sembled delegates, he reviewed "a bit of
history bearing upon the development Of
organized labor in the state. He recalled
his affiliation with the granite cutters of
Barre when they organized 30 years ago
and spoke of the progress made in three
decades. Samuel Gompers he said, was
one of the first national leaders to come
to Barre and in referring to his visit the
speaker paid tribute to the federation
presidents sane counsel and uninterrupt.
ed service in behalf of the laboring man
Ii was fitting he went on, that the state
branch should come to Barre for its con
yention and in closing he extended the
visitors the freedom OF the city during
their stay. A rising vote of thanks was
rendered the clerk as he left the conven-
ion hail.
When Rev. Grassland was on the point
If departing in order to connect with the
noon train for Northfield, Mass, he was
yiyen rising vote of thanks and on the
notion of Mr.. Ironside, who was succeed.
"A ~, ha ,ba. IN,.
:. w. Suitor, the clergyman was elected
n honorary member of the state fedora
ion. In making reply to the honor con-
erred upon him, Rev. Mr.. Grassland said
hat he carried a withdrawal card in the
-on moulders' union OF Great Britain and
till retained his allegiance to organized
,bor.
The report of the credentials commit
ee, presented by William H. Eager and
gned by him and Job Long and William
mith, showed that 40 delegates and
lternates were entitled to a vote. 9th
RS were expected to present their ere
entails before the rollcall. The report
as accepted.
AT this point Secretary lronside OF the
lecutive council read his annual report,
hich was accepted unanimously.
Secretary Ironside's Report.
incorporated in the report were Secre-
ry Ironside's address, as a fraternal
,legate, to the annual convention of the
ermont Equal Suffrage association at
oringtield, and report covering the
Getting of labor men in Boston recently
hen a New England federation of labor
as formed, Mr.. lronside being the ac-
edited delegate from the Vermont fed
ation Conditions of labor in Vermont,
questions to the ranks of organized
Dor, impending legislation, etc, are re-
ewed BY the secretary in a lengthy re-
ri that is summarized in the following
ragraphs.
Says Mr. Ironside in opening his re-
TT: 1T is an undoubted fact that the
ge -earners of Vermont are to-day bet
r employed than ever before. While
,rk is plentiful in most all industries.
ees have not increased as rapidly as
5 the cost of living. Soc of the best
rinized industries probably have held
,ir own. while undoubtedly the un-
yanized workingmen remain at the
ne old rate and are not so well off as
" we're one year ago. This, then, is
of the most important conditions the
rkers must be educated upon. We
-e urged, and are still urging. the un-
anized workers to close up their
ks While legislation has made con-
cradle strides in Vermont in the past
wears. all of the measures in behalf
labor have been advanced and advo-
I'd by organized labor Therefore we
in urge upon this convention that
IN its work Is done and we have gone
several ways, we strive to perpetuate
slogan Of our grand old general. Pres
II samuel Gompcrs, Get together.
tate. educate. and do. Don't wait
il tomorrow, tomorrow never
.es"
urnins To tangible evidences of prog
. the secretary reports the following
affiliations: Brattieboro cigarmskers
the protective laborers' union OF Rut.
l. New unions are named as follows:
,tleboro machinists. Burlington elec-
Al workers. hod carriers and station
firemen. and Rutland protective Ia
-. of the newly formed unions, the
hini~ts. protective lsborsrs. electrical
sers and bod carriers have already
Continued on eighth Psgel