Show GOMPERS COMPERS IS ISI I CHEERED BY LABOR MEN Opposition to the President of American Federation I TalKs TalIs HE MAY NOT FIND VER CRITICISM I Reports on Injun Injunction tion Cases CasesI and Gives s Views on I Legislation I DENVER Nov 9 Though Though there is much talk of plans afoot to to- oust Samuel Samuel Sam Sam- II nd uel from tho the pre presidency of tho the American Federation of or Labor during the sessions of the twenty eighth annual convention which began bogan In this this' city tod today today to to- d day It is principally gossip Cho I federation itself I Rumors of f growing dissension with n nithI i I the called so-called GomperS rS plan during durin t the bo boI I recent national campaign ore being I Jr given en free fro publication through the tha press but leaders in the federation who should know the status of If things declare their of any on organized ani ed I y I 2 J rf j jV V AL 4 1 4 r- r Y L t 7 i iI s cp I r L 1 4 SAMUEL GOMPERS s tion to President Gompers Mr Ir Gom Gom- per pers himself waves tho the subject aside alido by hy saying tho the federation will wilt select the theman theman man mau best equipped to lead it to further success and aad declares that should he be be retired lIe be will still remain a worker in inthe inthe inthe the ranks Ho He admits there is opposition hut but asserts as as' asserts that it is confined to matters of f policy affecting ng- ng localities only A strong card in Mr r. Campers Campers' favor no now is is tho the fact that several of his bitter opponents of or socialistic tendencies have havo failed of election as to represent their own unions at the present meeting The annual report of President Gompers Gem Gom pers which deals at nt considerable len length th with bis his called so-called political stand as well as other important matters matter aJI affecting tho federation was read lead today Tho cities seeking the jho next conol convention tion aro are St. St Louis Lonii Detroit Mobile Tampa and Washington Addressed by Officials Shortly after 9 0 o'clock dock this morning the tho delegates formed in line an and marched to the tho where n tho the thoI I convention was ras called to order at 10 0 dock clock The rho exercises at this mornin mornings morning's 8 sos sos- iou siou included addresses 88 s 's of welcome by Gov GO Henry Honry A. A of Colorado Mayor layor Robert W. W Speer of Denver George o Hall Hally for the State Federation or Labor II L. M. M I. I French for the Denver r Trades Trades' and Labor assembly an and J. J T. T 1 Clopp for the building coun council il ne Response to the toe addresses es was ms ma mado e Continued on pJ page C 8 8 I GOMPERS I I Continued from page 1 1 I bv liv Samuel Saluel GOI nt of pt o U the c federation I I Tho The popularity popularity- of President Gompers I wa was attested d wh when n he Ito rose roso to call cal t tlc the o ocon I con convention to order tins this thip morning moning h Tiu 1 ch gates deli ates applauded Mr Ir for several erl minutes before he ho was able to tomake tomake make himself hear heard I. I In Jn his address in response c to tD the tho address ad nil- 1 dress of welcome Mr Gompers was frequently ire fre applauded as ns he told tol of tho the progress pro gross gress now being made mado by bv the labor movement until and th the delegates were wore especially especially es cs es- es enthusiastic when Mr I. I declared that tho the efforts of of the federation federa tion tion were wee not only for far th the benefit of union minion labor hut but for unorganized labor ami and for all al humanity n a an well wel Tho The committee committee- on on credentials made a along along long report a assigning si ning the number of votes yates which each delegation should have have- in accordance with the constitution v There here ar are delegates ates in n attendance Only three contests wore were reported These aro are from rom the Electrical Workers the Operative Open Plasterers Plasterers- and tho the Dot DottIe Dottie tie tc Workers Workers' Worker unions The Tho report of tho limo committee with exception ex ex- of that portion porton in regard to contested con con- t tested delegates was tn adopted and amid the convention took up tho the contests A A. special committee of five was S. S appointed ap workers' workers pointed to hear henr the tho electrical contest and consideration of further contests went over until n afternoon croon President Gompers made mado his annual report as an follows Fellow Workers Workers' Fourteen years ars ngo ago we m mot met t In this cl city and then Just lust 3 aa as n nO nOw w. w the workers worker were suffering from a paralysis sis of or Industry resulting from rena the manipulations lations of or tho princes of or finances or from tho the Incompetency of our modern captains of ot Industry I declare now as asI I did thEn then that It I Is an Indictment against our ch that In a land so bountiful bount ful broad brod and ad fertile as a ours with the workers so o earnest earnst energetic Industrious anxious and willing to produce that such uch sucha ucha a St paralysis of Industry should be po possible and I believe c bele wo we should hold accountable those who are arc responsible for th the unnecessary aary sary and wanton misery miser of or so large a amass amass amass mass of or workless workers In our country there must not be permitted permit permit- ted to grow row up or to be bt maintained a s permanent arm army of or unemployed In tho midst of such adverse circum stances that our trade trae unions ha have main main- tamed their existence speaks well wel o ot of th them m and of tho the sound economic and fun fundamental run fun principles upon which the they ore are based That thc they have not succumbed c to the tue fearful antagonism arrayed against them to the lack of employment and to other Insidious Influences Is the beet evl evl- that the tho movement of labor labor has found round the citadel of ot Its protection Its ILc nobl noblest no no- bl blest st Inspiration In the hearts herts and minds of or tho the workers During During- th the past year cr my m time has perhaps perhaps per per- haps more mord than ever b before tore been en engrossed engrossed en- en grossed b by our movement nt and my activities activities Ites accentuated without let hindrance or regard for self Bel Appreciating and recording the deep dep obligation obligation ob ob- ob- ob I owe oc to my fellows It Is m my one ono constant t aim and hope whether as a your you our president or as one In the great rank am and amI file fe of tho the tolling toiling masses of our country to aid to the fullest limits ImIL my felo fellow fellow- workers my man fellow man Fraternally yours ours SA SAMUEL GOMPERS President American Federation of Labor Labor |