Washington, D. C.

DEAR SIR AND BROTHER: Attached herewith is partial report on some measures before Congress n which labor is intensely interested.

A record of new bills on some labor matters inCroduced in Congress since our last report on Febuary 19, is also made.

AMENDMENT TO SHERMAN ANTI-TRUST LAW. Several bills have been introduced for the purpose of amending this law.

H. R. 20584, by Representative Wilson, of Pennsylvania, is the A. F. of L. bill. This bill is intended to overcome the recent decision by the United States Supreme Court in the Hatters' case, in which the court construed the Sherman law to apply to labor organizations.

Your committee is exerting itself in behalf of this bill according to instructions from the Executive Council, of the A. F. of L., and after a most careful canvass of the members of the House of Representatives, find there are 240 who are willing to vote for H. R. 20584, providing an opportunity is afforded them. A special effort is being made to persuade the judiciary committee of the House to favorably report the bill, so that the members of the House may record their vote.

S. 6900, by Senator Dick, of Ohio, is identical with H. R. 17290, by Representative Hughes, of New Jersey, and is a verbatim copy of the amendment unanimously adopted by the Senate in committee of the whole on March 27, 1890, during the discussion of the original Sherman law.

S. 6331, by Senator Foraker, of Ohio, would prac tically repeal the Sherman law, as his bill is based on the construction by the courts of what is unreasonable restraint of trade.

S. 6440, by Senator Warner, of Missouri, and H. R. 19745, by Representative Hepburn, of Iowa, permit immunity for corporations from the operation of the Sherman law, providing registration is made with the Bureau of Corporations or the Interstate Commerce Commission, and further providing that such corporations or associations come within the rules and the regulations laid down for their control by the aforesaid departments.

ALLEGED ANTI-INJUNCTION BILLS. Since our last report a new and somewhat novel situation has developed. Formerly it required considerable persuasion to get a Congressman to introduce an anti-injunction bill; but suddenly a reaction has set in, and now it seems to be a popular fad to introduce a bill of some kind or other dealing with this question. This change of front has evidently been produced by the flood of petitions recently sent to Congressmen by the workers in their constituencies in which they have imperatively demanded relief from the injunction evil, and because of the popular awakening on the dangers of judicial usurpation.

There are plenty of alleged anti-injunction bills;

but none of them go to the root of the evil like the Pearre bill, H. R. 94, which is the bill demanded by the A. F. of L. Apparently the other bills have been introduced in order to pander to the unthinking, or it may be with a sinister design to fasten the injunction method upon labor by legal methods. These bills are all dangerous, and all of them will be persistently fought, and nothing less than the Pearre bill will be acceptable to labor.

EIGHT HOUR LEGISLATION.

H. R. 15651, by Representative Gardner, of New Jersey, has been a much discussed bill. A public document comprising 1,000 pages has been compiled containing arguments for and against the bill. The burden of proof is in favor of the measure and evidently fearing that if the bill was favorably reported out of the committee at this session, that Congress might jump the Speaker's traces and pass it, the majority of the committee re-referred the bill to a committee of lawyers composed of Representatives Haskins, Norris, and Rainey for them to consider the question of the constitutionality of the bill. This judicial subcommittee has no set time to report. The workers can draw their own conclusions on this system on committee filibustering with important and vital labor legislation.

RAILROAD EMPLOYES' LIABILITY Bill.

"An act relating to the liability of common carriers by railroads to their employes in certain cases" was passed the House, April 6, 1908, with 302 votes in favor and 1 nay. Mr. Littlefield, of Maine, voting against the bill.

The same bill passed the Senate without amendment on April 9. It was approved by the President April 22, 1908.

LIABILITY BILL FOR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYES.

Hearings have been held on H. R. 16734, by Representative Sterling, of Illinois, and S. 5555, by Senator Lodge, of Massachusetts; these being identical bills, no committee report has been made on them up to this writing; however, H. R. 21696 has been introduced by Representative Alexander, of New York, who is chairman of the subcommittee of the judiciary committee of the House, which has bills of this character under consideration. This bill is evidently intended as a substitute, and while it follows most of the general principles of the other bills, it is not as satisfactorily drawn. There are hopes that it may be improved by amendment before it is reported out of committee.

CONVICT LABOR.

Extensive hearings have been held on the Convict Labor bills, H. R. 4040, H. R. 4064, and H. R. 4883 before the committee on labor. That committee decided to defer action on H. R. 4040 till the next session of Congress, but no action has been taken on 4064 or 4883, the bills upon which particular argument was made.

CHILD LABOR.

S. 4812 by Senator Gallinger, of New Hampshire, intending to cover child labor in the District of

Columbia, passed the Senate in a mutilated form by a vote of 37 ayes, 19 nays, 36 not voting, on May 6th.

The House bill 16063, as reported from the House committee, recommended the age limit of children employed in the Disirict of Columbia at 12 years. Immediately on this bill being reported to the House with this objectionable feature a vig orous protest was made to the chairman of the subcommittee in charge of the bill by the President of the A. F. of L., with the result that the bill was amended to provide for a 14-year age limit. This bill passed the House on May 9th by a vote of 200 yeas, 9 nays, and 178 not voting. Both bills will now go to conference, and every effort will be made to have the conferees agree on the House bill, which is far superior to the Senate bill.

IMMIGRATION.

H. R. 10568, by Representative Hepburn, of Iowa, for the purpose of waiving the contract labor clause in the territory of Hawaii, was defeated in the House by a vote of 19 yeas, 186 nays, 15 present and 167 not voting, on April 22, 1908. Labor's activity defeated this bill.

SECOND-CLASS UNMAILABLE MATTER.

S. 1518, by Senator Penrose, of Pennsylvania, was an insidious attempt to censorize publications and bridle free speech. Labor and its friends acted so promptly in protest that the bill was adversely reported and indefinitely postponed in the Senate on March 6, 1908.

REDUCTION OF WAGES ON THE PANAMA CANAL.

An effort was made by the appropriations committee in the sundry civil bill to reduce wages of workmen on the Panama Canal by putting this joker in the bill: "That the wages and salaries paid upon the Isthmus for skilled and unskilled labor by the Isthmian Canal Commission and the Panama Railroad Company shall not exceed by more than 25 per centum the average wages and salaries paid in the United States for similar labor."

Labor protested so promptly and vigorously against this provision that it was taken out of the bill by a vote of 10 yeas, 101 nays, while the bill was being considered in Committee of the Whole, THOMAS F. TRACY, ARTHUR E. HOLDER, GRANT HAMILTON, J. D. PIERCE,

J. TAZELAAR,

J. ROACH,

E. NOECKELS,

Legislative Committee.

In another part of the AMERICAN FEDERATIONIST will be found the advertisement of the Egg-O-See Company. It will be seen that the advertisement states that the products of this company bear the union label of the International Union of Flour and Cereal Mill Employes. Recently the Egg-O-See Company discontinued the use of the union label. Inasmuch as this company has a contract with the AMERICAN FEDERATIONIST, which does not expire until after the September issue, we of course can not refuse to publish the same without rendering us liable to a suit for damages. However, we wrote this company and asked to have the copy for its advertisement changed so as to conform to the facts in the case. Up to the time of going to press we received neither acknowledg ment of our letter nor the change of copy. We can not of our own volition make the change. For this reason we make this statement in order that no one may be misled into the belief that the products of the Egg-O-See Company are either union made or bear the union label.

North Brothers Manufacturing Company has is sued a new "Yankee Tool Book," intended specially for users of Yankee tools. The book is illustrated with photographic reproductions of different styles of labor-saving tools. It may be had free on application to North Brothers.

Number Commissioned Organizers, American Federation of Labor, 973.

District No. 1.-Eastern.

Comprising the states of Maine, Vermont, New Hamp shire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and the Province of New Brunswick, Canada. Organizer, Stuart Reid.

District No. II.-Middle.

Comprising the states of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and the Province of Quebec, Canada.

Organiz rs, Herman Robinson, Hugh Frayne, W. C. Hahn, John A. Flett, H. L. Eichelberger. Jas. E. Roach, Jacob Tazelaar, M. Grant Hamilton, J. D. Pierce, Cal Wyatt.

District No. III.-Southern.

Comprising the states of Virginia. North Carolina. South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

Organizers, James Leonard, Emmet T. Flood.

District No. IV.-Central.

Comprising the states of West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michiganand Wisconsin.

Organizers, J. J. Fitzpatrick, Annie Fitzgerald, Thos. H. Flynn, Edwin R. Wright.

District No. V.-Northwestern. Comprising the states of Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Manitoba.

District No. VI.-Southwestern.

Comprising the states of Missouri, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Organizer, Henry M. Walker.

District No. VII.-Inter-Mountain.

Comprising the states of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Idaho.

District No. VIII.-Pacific Coast.

Comprising the states of Nevada, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, and the Province of British Columbia. Organizers, C. O. Young, Arthur A. Hay, William E. Terry.

Porto Rico.-Santiago Iglesias.

Birmingham.-Ed. K. Smith and L. W. Wright: All unions in fine shape, most of them having obtained fair wages and hours. There has been no trouble in securing this, with the possible exception of the machinists and painters, and both of these organizations have the matter pretty well in hand and will succeed in their demands. All union workers have the recognized union scale, while the unorganized workers are obliged to accept any price offered. Organizer Sullivan of the painters visited the locked out painters' union of this city, and much good was derived from this visit. There is good demand for the union labels. Employment is becoming more plentiful, especially among the building trades. Retail clerks at Ensley have formed union. Label league is being formed. Mobile.-Eli Rascovar:

Active union label agitation has done much good in various trades. Cigarmakers are in good shape, having secured increase of from $2 to $5 without strike. Labor conditions at this time are better than last year, although employment has been rather slack. State federation convention was held here recently and did much to stimulate interest among the workers. We have two labor candidates running for office, and feel assured they will be elected. Garment workers are pushing their label, with the result that the demand for their goods keeps them steadily employed and the union in good shape.

ARKANSAS.

Denning.-J. P. Gowing:

The workers throughout this section are much concerned because of the recent Supreme Court decisions and the lack of remedial legislation. We are awakening to the necessity of taking a firm stand at the polls in order to elect men who will legislate for the good of the people. The farmers are coming in close touch with the trade unions, because they realize their interests are identical. Considering the business depression labor conditions in this section are fairly good. Have severa! new unions under way.

Hot Springs.-P. I. Hensley:

The unorganized workers can not compare with the union workmen in skill or workmanship. neither do they receive the wages and hours that the union men do. Steam engineers have organized during the month. Employment picks up very slowly.

e well attended. The merchants in many inances are taking advantage of the hard times d seek to employ men at much reduced wages, en as low as $2 a week. A committee has been pointed to arrange for lectures and stereopticon ew exhibits of label of the various unions. rganized labor conditions have improved somehat during the past two months, but the unoranized remain about the same.

Oakland.-Chas. W. Petry:

Trade conditions are again assuming normal roportions. Street car men recently secured ight increase in wages with their new wage agreeient. Most organized trades in good shape, but le unorganized are indifferent. Label league is eing organized. The sweeping Supreme Court deisions of recent date and the indifference of Conress toward the working people's interest, rought the workers of this section out in a strong rotest meeting in which they declared their inentions to elect only such candidates as will egislate for the good of the common people. Emloyment becoming more plentiful.

CONNECTICUT.

Hartford.-James T. Manee:

Reports from all unions affiliated to central body how that the organizations are in good shape and naking steady progress. The unorganized workers re resuming employment, but reduce wage scale in many cases. The receiver for electric vehicle company made an attempt to put the shop on a 10 hour basis, but desisted when he found the carriage workers organized. A splendid protest meeting was held here. Resolutions were adopted along the lines of the political policy of the A. F. of L. These were forwarded to Congressmen and

Senators.

FLORIDA.

Key West.-W. F. Maloney:

On account of the scarcity of work, conditions here are not what they should be. The situation is still further accentuated by the number of Spaniards brought here from Cuba by employers to work on East Coast R. R. Recently a mass meeting was held in which the workers voiced their dissatisfaction with the lethargy of Congress as well as the tendency of the courts of the country to disregard the rights of the workers. Resolutions were sent to Representatives in Congress in order that they might know we expect them to declare themselves for the welfare of the workers, if they desire our support at the ballot-box.

St. Augustine.-John H. Pomar:

All organized trades in good shape and unions steadily increasing their membership. Good demand for all union labels. Employment was not steady during the spring, but we expect an improvement during the summer. Wages and hours about the same as last year.

GEORGIA.

Rome.-W. A. Clinton:

The unionized workers, because of their unions, have maintained their standard wage rate, while the unorganized workers have been compelled to accept wage reductions. Typographical union increased wages one dollar per week for their members, without strike. We have had no strikes for some time past. Have one new union under way.

Organized labor in fair shape, although business has been dull for some time. There is splendid demand for the union labels in this city. No recent changes in hours or wages.

Carrier Mills.-E. T. Davis:

Some organized trades have secured increase in wages without strike. In every instance we find the union men have the advantage over the unorganized. The latter have less work and receive lower wages than the union men.

Decatur.-Chas. Eaton and A. B. Loebenberg: Employment is steady in this section. Plumbers increased their wages without strike. Have a union of horseshoers under way.

There is much unrest among the working people, because of the application of the Sherman anti-trust law to the fraternal association of the workers, and they feel the necessity of electing to office only such men as will pledge themselves to the support of labor's interests.

East St. Louis.-B. D. Warren:

Industrial conditions are not yet what we could desire, due to the business depression of last winter. The unionized trades fare better than the unorganized because they are better able to withstand industrial depression. Porters have organized during the month. There is good demand for all union labels.

Lewistown.-A. J. Stutes:

The unions are holding their own very well, with their membership all in good standing. We will probably retain our last year's wage scale and hours, the eight hour day at 30 cents an hour. Employment picking up.

Mt. Olive.-Fred W. Dingerson:

There is very little unorganized labor in this section. The unions are in good shape and holding their own. The union labels are well patronized. Wages and hours about the same as last year.

O'Fallon.-F. M. Evans:

Organized trades in good shape, although employment is not yet as plentiful as we could wish. Team drivers suspended work for a week and as result obtained increase of 25 cents a day. Have organized a union at Lebanon with 51 charter members. The union labels are well patronized. Paris.-Edward Low:

Employment somewhat more plentiful as the season advances. All union men are consistent in their demand for the union labels. The employers' liability bill was passed recently.

Sparta.-S. W. Skelly:

While organized labor has encountered some obstacles through recent Supreme Court decisions and their activities have been hampered by judge. made injunctions, still we know that the unions are here to stay and we are stronger in our convictions than ever before. The unions are slowly but surely advancing the cause of the workers.

Springfield.-R. E. Woodmansee:

Condition of organized labor in Springfield is good. Many of the unorganized are seeking admissions to our ranks, and as the general inclination of contractors appear to be in favor of union labor, the man with the card is receiving more attention than the one without. Beautiful spring