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Show GOMPERS MAKES ANNUAL REPORT St. Louis. Nov. 14 The thirtieth annual convention of the American Federation of Libor began here today and will continue for two weeks. The morning session was devoteJ to welcoming wel-coming the delegates and honorary guests, some of them from England The afternoon session was devote.) to reports of the president. Samuel G'ompers, the secretary, Frank Morrison, Morri-son, and treasurer. John B. Iennon. Sessions will be held at loat twice d:illy during the two weeks and It tuny be necessary to convene in the even lugs. An elaborate entertainment program pro-gram has been provided for the delegates. dele-gates. They will not be required to pay street car fare while en route-to route-to the meWing place in the residence JiMtrlct of the city. Meals are to be served in a hall adjourning the couv'en-tlon couv'en-tlon room so tli3t the delegates will not lose any time away from the convention. con-vention. The credentials and resolutions resolu-tions committees will report late In the afternoon. President Goniper's report was as follows: To the Oftleerfi and Delegates to the Thirtieth Annual Convention of tho American Federation of Labor: Follow Trade Unionists: Thirty years ago. upon the urgent appeal of a number of earnest and far-seeing trade unionists, a convention was held in Pittsburg. Pa There and then the foundation for our Federation of trades and labor unions was laid. Up-en Up-en that foundation a structure has been reared perhaps far beyond the lslon of Its builders. Soon after the establishment of our Federation, and after Its purposes came to b. understood, under-stood, the tollers began lo realize not only that It was eminently practicable but also that it had wlthlu Its possibilities possi-bilities the elemeuts to inspire hope and courage for the achievement of labor's highest aspirations. By the years of devoted work of its adherents, adher-ents, and through Its attainments, the Federation has earned the respect and confidence of tho workers who rallied to its siandard and defended U against Its traduces and would be destroyers. de-stroyers. Tweuty-two years ago the American Federation of Ijilxir held an annual convention In this city. That convention conven-tion reviewed the progress which had been mado and It determined mon a well-defined policy for the Inauguration Inaugura-tion of a shorter workday, to the end that an eight-hour day should be established. es-tablished. The Impetus and quickening Impulse Im-pulse given to the labor movement and the great cause of Justice and humanity for which it stands can only be understood and appreciated by the studious and by the retrospective view to be taken by the workers who will compare the situation and the condition of the wag-worklng masses then and now. The history of the movement cannot b recounted here. So fur as it Is written. It may be traced In the official proceedings of our conventions, in The American F'ed eratlontrft. In the offuUr trinJe Journals, Jour-nals, and In tb labor press. The unwritten un-written history and o:np of It mot Important work lie in the archives of the offices of the organized Ulor movement, local, luteruatlcnal and federated. That which is obvious to all is Hie progress which ha leen made In the physical well-being. In the mental, moral, political and social so-cial advancement of the tollers This progress Is evidenced in their higher high-er character and more Independent spirit, in their recognition of the Identity Iden-tity In the Interests of all vv a;e-w oi k-ers k-ers and in the solidarity of their feeling feel-ing nnd action, together with their wider horizon of duties and ri?ht.f, their broader sympathies for all man kind, and their determination to si niggle on for the eradication of every ev-ery wrong und the attainment of their every rlcht to which they, In common wl'h their fellow-men are Justly entitled. Advancement also may be clearly wen In the tribute all pay lo the ennobling en-nobling work of o.ir movement and in the better conception which our people: have of the splendid achievements achieve-ments due to the persistent efforts nf the organized labor movement of our tl.ne. It may not b uninteresting as an Indication of our movement's growth to call attention to the fact that at our flrrt convention In Pittsburg. Pa., only lx International unions woref represented, with a number of scattering scat-tering locals. In St. Ixul. twenty-two twenty-two years ;igo, there wore eeventeej International unions with a few central cen-tral bodies and locals. Note the list of delegates to this convention an 1 the organizations they represent, and, at a glance, tho great progress nni Is apparent. This dor-a not account for several hundred central bodies and local unions affiliated but unrepresented un-represented by delegates. For the fiscal year ending September Septem-ber 30, 1910, there were Issued bv the American Federation of labor 331 certificates of affiliation (charter.), aa follows: International unions 2 State federations 1 City central bodies K Ixical trade unions l.VJ Federated labor unions 96 Total 334 At the cloo of the fWal year there we-re affiliated to our federation: International unions 1 2 " State federations 39 City central bodies C33 Local trade unions 4 I Federated labor unions I'M Total 1,12$ |