The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-08-09
Forenoon ses To-day
Was Large ) iiven Up to
Addresses by Gompers,
Other Union Men, and by
ex-Gov. Fletcher-A Mass
Meeting and Banquet To-
night

On the second day of the 18th annual
convention of the Vermont State Fedora
tion of Labor in Barre the forenoon ses.
sion was given over largely to speech
lmaking with President Samuel Gompers
of the American Federation of Labor di-
viding interest with Coils J. Lovely of
st. Louis, Mo, vice president Of the boot
and shoe workers union and Ex-Governor
Allen NJ. Fletcher OF Cavendish Presi-
dent Gompers, as the central figure in
this years gathering of organized labor
in Vermont, preached group and national
patriotism this morning and promised his
hearers that he would amplify his re-
marks at the mass meeting in the opera
house this evening at 7:30 o'clock. The
boot and shoe workers representative
assailed convict labor and Ex-Governor
Fletcher scored a judicial system that
prolongs litigation. denies the right OF
appeal, because of expensive procedure,
to the man of moderate means, and cited
appeals on the telephone investigation Of
1914 as an instance Of judicial delays.
All three speakers were warmly received,
but the most enthusiastic ovation, as was
to be expected, was reserved for Presi-
dent Gompers.
Owing to the rain, the automobile trip
planned to Williamstown gulf had to be
given up, and also the parade which WAS
to have preceded the mass meeting at the
opera house. That meeting and the ban
quet which follows at Clan Gordon hall
will be neld as planned. The convention
will adjourn tomorrow forenoon.
Something Of the eamaraderie that
exists between the worthy president of
the A. F. of L. and the men in the ranks
may be sensed in watching the proceed
ings at the convention with Mr. Gompers
holding the center OF the stage. His
presence has injected personality into
the convention procedure the like Of
which has not been seen in many annual
Hundreds of labor men
in Depot square last even
ing to greet the president and though
the. train was an hour overdue many re-
mained to glimpse the distinguished
guest of Vermont labor. President Com
pers is making his headquarters at Hotel
Barre during his stay in Barre.
Mr.. Lovely of the boot and shoe work
ers was concluding his speech when a
consisting of w H. Eager and
Harry Dale ushered Mr.. Gompers into the
hail this forenoon at 1915
o'clock. He was accompanied by William
of Boston, president of the
New England label conference and
prominent member of the cigarmakers'
lnion. As the guest entered the hall, the
delegates arose with one accord and
,reeted the president vociferously. The
pplause was uninterrupted for at least
hree minutes and then the president
vas given an honorary place at the Off
ers table. Ex-Governor Fletcher, who
ntered few moments earlier, was given
hearty greeting and before President
;ompers was introduced by the chair
nan, F. w Suitor, the former executive
ras asked for a speech.
In introducing the A. F. of L. president,
hartman Suitor said that none of those
resent needed to be informed of what
resident Gompers had achieved or what
e is going to achieve Taking a cue
rom the introductory remarks of the
lairman. Mr.. Gompers said. in part: "If,
hen have shuiiied off this mortal coil
eople shall say of me that l tried.
,all feel amply compensated. hold
lat the debt OF gratitude which we owe
hundreds. ave thousands of men who
i've lived and labored for the cause is
lsed on the fact that they tried, honest
and seriously. and not by the measure
their mundane success I appeal to-
,u to day not only on the basis of
CUP patriotism, but on the ground that
e should hold high the patriotism of
merican citizenship. With some of our
ities. agree that we have not attained
the ideals that we have hoped for.
ID vet am thoroughly convinced that
are living in the grsndest and most
orious country on the face of the globe.
the men Of labor I ask that the same
Oh ideals Of our republic be used to
ide us in our everyday life
Continuing a thought expressed = few
,ments before by Mr.. Fletcher. the
eaker referred in no uncertain terms
the status Of the courts Incidentally.
stated. he had seen many able law
Rs, but only few good ones. For TIE
ison that decisions are appealed frca