The day book. [volume], November 26, 1913, Image 31

About The day book. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1911-1917

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GOMPERS IS PLEASED; OTHERS SAY LABOR
CONGRESS DID NOTHING OF CONSEQUENCE
(The following statements by leaders on the work of the convention of
the American Federation of Labor which has just closed at Seattle, Wash.,
have been secured especially for The Day Book.)
BY SAMUEL GOMPERS,
President of the American Federation
of Labor Thirty-one Years.
In poiiit of work accomplished and
momentous matters discussed and
passed on, and entire results, the
Seattle convention of American Fed
eration of Labor was greatest in the
history of the organized labor move
ment in this country.
Of all the grist of resolutions adopt
ed and referred for action I regard
those demanding shorter workdays
as most important of industrial mat
ters approved. Of all political sub
jects which went before the conven
tion and received approval, the reso
lution indorsing the Bacon-Bartlett
bill, a most important anti-trust reg
ulation in which labor is interested,
was of primary interest.
The Bacon-"Bartlett measure pro
vides that any combination or agree
ment having in view the increasing
of wages, shortening of hours or bet
tering the condition of labor is not
unlawful.
International peace resolutions and
those calling for investigation into
causes of our hig strikes were also
very far reaching.
BY ROBERT-H.' CAMPBELL,
Delegate From the Texas State Fed
eration. ,
The American Federation of Labor
is practically at a standstill today.
Old heads- who have been in control
year afferyear have developed likes
and dislikes until aUVconyentions of
the federation have come to consti
tute merely a battle among the old
heads for themselves and their views
and not for the rank and file of labor
which they are supposed to repre
would be a revolution in organized
labor at once.
The labor movement in dues alone
costs over $24,000,000 a year, and
yet propositions that come- before the
federation for settlement are post
poned year after year, thereby keep
ing different crafts in conflict with
one another and wasting their
money. Differences of crafts involv
ed are used to perpetuate powerful
machines, while the rank and file are
kept in ignorance of the real reason
for the failure to make progress.
BY GEORGE L. BERRY,
President of the International Press
men's Union.
There is a natural opposition to
the present executive council of the
American Federation of Labor com
posing more than a majority of the
federation. Revolt would have oc
curred at the recent convention, but
the individual insurgents feared they
would lose out on schemes of their
own if they organized an opposition.
I am gratified at the endorsement
the federation gave my plan for a
political labor party. The pnly dif
ference being that a majority were
in favor of future action, while I be
lieve the time Is ripe now.
Other than this there was na
change aldng progressive lines in the
policy of the federation. As it stands
today the federation organization is
reactionary.
All propositions "which in any way
differed with the policy favored by
the present administration were re
ferred to the executive council,
vhicu means "pigeon-holed." Along
with these went many splendid reso
'utions introduced by insurgents.
sent. If the rank and file knew how t These were "pigeonholed to show
their rights were gambled with and he disfavor of the administration
traded off at these conventions, there Lvitji the introducer.
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