The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-11-16
"A. F. Of L. IN CONVENTION


hundred thousand dollars is a large
amount to be secured through vol
untary contributions-cont
from those whose wages are not large.
On this account it was necessary to
issue a second circular, informing the
wage-earners that the amount already
raised through contributions was
$132, 1885; this left $4,000 still to
be raised. All the workers who had
not contributed were earnestly re-
quested to this second appeal addi-
tional contributions were received
which up to and including Septem-
Der 30 amounted to $25,55208. The
contributions together with the bank
interest made the total amount rais-
ed for the Hatters $158,730.l0
Political Action
In 1906 the American Federation of
Labor inaugurated a policy of posi-
tive participation in politics for the
purpose of securing the election of
those in favor of the aims and pur-
poses of the labor movement and the
defeat of those who had demonstrated
their hostility to the cause Of Labor
That policy has been successfully fol.
lowed and has resulted in splendid
record of legislative achievements.
During the past year there has been
issued pamphlet entitled "Legisla-
tive Achievements of the A. F. of L."
which shows the gradual increasing
volume of humanitarian legislation
that has been secured from each con-
gress from the ffty-ninth through
the sixty-third
AS a result of Labor's non-partisan
political activities tremendous
change has been wrought in the pol
icies and in the spirit of those who
make up the administrative and leg
islative divisions of the federal gov
ernment.
1t is an obligation that the members
of the organized labor movement owe
to those who have done so much to
make possible the splendid humanitar-
ian legislation that has been enacted,
and to the spirit of administration
mindful of humanity and justice, that
our support should be given them
that they may retain their positions
n which they are able to accomplish
so much for the movement.
Pan-American Labor Relations
The necessity for prompting clos
er relations between the workers of
all Pan-American countries was pre-
sented in our 1915 report The events
of the past year, particularly the re-
lations between our country and Mex
| leo, have shown even more clearly the
necessity of permanent international
Organization for the workers of both
countries.
The San Francisco Convention en-
dorsed the policy of furthering a Pam
/ American Labor Union. The propo-
sition began to take definite form in
the United States-Mexico conference
at Washington and was Incorporated
in the declaration signed by the mem
bers of the conference. The govern
ment of Yucatan, which is labor
government, had authorized and di-
rected its representatives in that con-
ference to visit all Pan-American
countries in furtherance of a Pan
American labor organization
Labor Press
The newspapers of the country are
conducted as adjuncts to enterprises
or organizations. AS society is now
organized the agencies which are op-
Iposed to the cause of Labor repre-
sent the wealth-possessors-vested in
terests of the country The only
sources of publicity upon which wage
earners really can rely to give fellow
citizens truths of Labor's position ant
contentious are the struggling labo
papers of the land
These labor papers have been trul
to their trust. Against adverse an,
I disadyantageous conditions, they per
form herois and valuable service. w
heartily commend their efforts an,
their achievements and urge that al
wage-earners and friends of Labo
. give them moral and financial suppori
: Industrial Relations Commission
Report
Difficulty was encountered in OF
S tanning the passage of suitable res
' olution by Congress ordering tn
{ printing of the report of the Indus
: trial Relations Commission, and tn
: hearings taken by the commission an
r the exhibits obtained by it. Afte
e persistent effort satisfactory resc
t luton was passed by the Senate Apr
o IL, by the House on April 2l and al
# proved by President Wilson April q
1916. which provided for the printin
t of 100000 copies of the report, 10
200 copies of the testimony and 10
= 900 copies of the exhibits. The con
: plete set, report, testimony and exhiI
: its consists of eleven volumes. The.
i are now ready for distribution on r
3 quest sent to Representatives ar
= Senator's
l. Child Labor
l. We consider, as an organization
It thoughtful, devoted and persiste
o advocates of judicious legislation til
is will protect the youth of our land,
" we'll as to conserve the best intere
r possible for the children yet tsunbor
rs that we should congratulate ourseIv
re upon the fact that due to most pc
II sistent efforts we have finally secu
in ed a federal law which will prote
" the children of our land in each al
e. all of the states, in so far as su
I'd protection to the children can be /
IN forded by federal authority.
The Federal Child Labor bill h
n been passed and Is now law It "
mt become effective September !, 1917,