The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-06-14
Reports Are Interesting.

Reports Are Interesting.
The reports Of the officers to the
convention revealed most interesting
information of the growth and work
of the American labor movement dur
ing the year. The money receipts of
the year1 from per capita tax, eassess-,
ments and the Federationist amounted
to 1864, 4,687.57. The expenditures were
$587 $3.50. The cash balance in the
treasury, is $192,490.16: This with a
loan to the A. F: of L., building fund
of $4,000 leaves a total balance of
$217,49O.16. :, *..--,~--
President Gompers' travelling ex-
penses in the United States during the
year amounted to $1,166.61. Secretary
Morrison spent but $844.64.*< There
was spent for organizing $165,609.56.
There are SS4 local trade and federal
labor unions directly chartered by the
A. F. of L., with a. membership of
65,227, and with a defense fund of
$179,725.89. The labor mission to
Europe cost the Federation. about
$4,000. The International trade
unions, one state federation of labor
and 20 central body charters were
granted during the year.
The voting strength Of the delegates
to the convention is 3S,849. The min
ers' delegation has the largest of 3,938
votes. The carpenters come next with
3,079, followed by the machinists with
2,546. The electrical workers rank
fourth with 1872. and the Brother
hood of Railway Carmen are fifth with
1901 votes. -.
Gain in Membership.
The A. F. of L.. claims a. total men,
bership this year Of 3,260,06S gain
of 533.59o for the year. The Fedora
tion is composed of five departments,
Ill national and International unions.
46 state, federations, SIG city central
bodies, 572 local department councils,
and 1882 local unions. Among the
unions that enjoyed; the largest in
creases in membership are the ma
chinists with ;*155.000 new members,
maintenance of way employees, 1885,
713; railway carmen. 103,939; boiler
makers, 71,677; carpenters, IS, 113 and
electrical workers., $1,000.
During the year death benefits were
paid by affiliated unions in the sum
of $5,122,399.63; to members on ac-
count Of the death OF wives, $751;,
s55.; sick benefits. -$1,329, ,s25.64:
travelling benefitsz $84, 1888 and un-
employed benefits, $4,906. The Fed
GRAFTON owns $50; 0;008-inaLiberty bonds
and $4,000 in Canadian Victory
bonds. :
Great Issues Involved.
Never has a convention of the
American Federation Of Labor been
so deeply engrossed in questions of
great international moment. Not even
the war drew the convention into con-
of more problems Of world
interest than face this thirty-ninth
convention with Its nearly $50 dele
gates representing 3.262, 900 members.
Above all else" is the Treaty Of 1.
Peace. 1--WE declare our endorsement
of the triumph of freedom and Justice
and democracy as exempHfied- in the
covenant Of the League Of Nations
says the, report II says further, '.The
Treaty Of Peace, as drafted by. the
allied and associated governments. sets
a new; standard in the relation Of ma
tion to nation and gives to government
a purpose that has been lacking where
the monarchical and bureaucratic
concept obtained. The Prussian idea
defeated on the field Of battle, is now
forever made impossible oftrevivaI. .by
the Treaty Of Peace submitted to the
German ENJOYS" Endorsement Of the
treaty seems assured: - g :
Treaty q Compromise.
The report says.the, Dor section Of
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