Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-12

The coming of President Wilson
overshadowed the interest in all other
proceedings of the opening session OF
the thirty-seventh annual convention
of the American Federation OF Labor
here today.
Already recognized as one Of the
most important conventions In the
history of organized labor In this
country, this feeling was intensified
by the announcement that the presi-
dent was coming ito speak to labor
and through labor TO the american
people"
The presidents car was detached
from a regular train at a suburb early
today and brought into Buffalo as
special train
Drawn up at the Buffalo railroad
station was regiment Of troops from
Fort Niagara, which escorted the
president to the convention auditor
ium. Great crowds gathered early at
the auditorium which seats 5000 per-
sons and was to be open to the pub
lie The prospects were that the hall
would be damned TO capacity.
Buffalo's police were out in force
to protect the president along the line
of march from the station. Mr.. Will
son was on the program as the first
speaker and his address was awaited
with the most intense interest by the
$50 degelates who gathered at conven-
ton headquarters and marched to the
hall in body, headed by band and
led by President Gompers. Mayor
Fuhrmann and prominent Buffalo bust
ness men.
War Is Main Interest.
Next in Importance to the presi-
dents address was the report of the
executive council, the keynote of the
convention to be submitted today. Pre-
+ liminary committee meetings had in
Dictated that questions arising from the
war would occupy large part of the
weeks deliberations and SO far as
! their proceedings were made public
4 there was every indication that the
policies of President Gompers and his
/ associates on the council would be up
held by the rank and file of the fed
GRAFTON.
Speech OF the President.
Samuel Gompers, president OF the
American Federation of Labor, intro
ducing Mr.. Wilson. referred to him as
this man of destiny spokesman for
freedom. interpreter of the aims and
spirit OF our time, leader of thoughts
and ,action among the nations Of the
earth.
Mr.. Wilson began by saying he
esteemed 1t a privilege and an honor
10 be present as it seemed to HIM a
time above all others for common
counsel. "a time for drawing the en-.
ergies of the nation together
The president referred TO the pres.
ent as a time more critical than thu
world has yet known" It was import
ant lin this moment of counsel to re
mind ourselves how the war cam,
about" he said, and continued, "thi,
is the last decisive issue between III,
old principle of power and the new
principle of freedom
War Started by Germany.
He said: THE war was started b.
!. Germany Her authorities deny it. bu
am willing to await the verdict o
history on the statement / have Jus
made"
Germany had place in the SUM-
the president continued Why was sh
not satisfied? What more does sh
WANT"
Buffalo Grsets Convention.
: With an appeal to all America,
! working men to place their full an
: undivided force behind the fighfin
? men at the front and a stirring pictur
4 of what labor may expect il German
:. wins the war. President A. A.. Lando
4 of the Buffalo chamber Of commerce
today welcomed the American Fed
4 Grafton of Labor at the opening OF II
a convention here.
: A former labor leader himself. VII
: has seen first hand in Europe ho,
!, troops in the field give their lives m
i blood for naught when workers q
1 fCDnf{nuad IN D~-~ ESSw.