state and nation, the enactment of laws for the accomplishment of such things as the working people can not secure or enforce for themselves. We know no better way of illustrating this thought than by quoting the report we made to the Denver (1908) Convention, on economic power, as follows: "The trade union movement, true to its history, its traditions and aspirations has done, is doing, and will undoubtedly do more in the interests of mankind to humanize the human family than all other agencies combined. Devoting primarily our efforts to the membership of our organizations, yet there is not a declaration which we can make, or an action we can take for their protection and their advancement but which will have its correspondingly beneficent influence upon the unorganized workers and upon the masses of the people. Resistance to wage reductions by union workers is the check upon still further encroachments upon the unorganized. To secure an advance either in wages or to prevent a reduction of hours of labor by union workers is to bring these advantages correspondingly to the unorganized toilers. We can not obtain legislative enactment to protect the rights and interests of the organized, but that it must equally include all our people. "Our movement is the barrier and check to aggression and tyranny on the one hand; on the other, it is the leaven for the common uplift of all. It is therefore that the economic power and influence of the labor movement is the most potent. We have exercised, and we shall continue to exercise, our political power; and that, too, without becoming politically partisan. We shall aim to select our law-making bodies, national, state, and municipal, men from the ranks of labor; men who are earnest, honest, intelligent, and sincerely devoted to the cause of the toilers and the people generally. "In whatever form or shape the men of labor may exercise their energies and activities, in inception and result the effort is for the common uplift of all, though our political activities must of necessity be primarily devoted to acquire for our economic movement its freest and fullest natural development. "Our movement has not asked and will not ask at the hands of government anything which the workers can and should do for themselves. The movement of labor is founded upon the principle that that which we do for ourselves, individually and collectively, is done best. It is therefore that the exercise by the workers of their economic power is after all the greatest and the most potent power which they can wield. "The possession of great economic power does not imply its abuse, but rather its right use. Consciousness and possession of economic power bring with them responsibility, wisdom, and care in its exercise. These have made the labor movement of our country a tower of strength inspiring the confidence and respect of the masses of our workers as well as the sympathetic support of students, thinkers and liberty-loving people. "The labor union movement as understood and expressed by the American Federation of Labor is the historic struggle of the toilers; it has brought light and hope into the factory, the workshop, into the lives and homes of our workers; it has borne the brunt of battle and bears the honorable scars of past battles. It embodies Labor's hopes and aspirations for a brighter and a better day, not only for the future, but for today, tomorrow, and tomorrow's tomorrow, each a better day than the one which has gone before." During recent years the American Federation of Labor endorsed and backed DECISION OF THE HATTERS' CASE two labor suits as test cases in order to secure a judicial opinion from the highest court of the land upon certain fundamental principles concerned in the right of the workers to organize and to carry on the necessary activities of labor organizations. One of these cases was that of the Danbury Hatters in regard to which the Supreme Court recently handed down an opinion discussed in an editorial in this issue. The President and the Secretary of the United Hatters of North America appeared before the Executive Council January 13, 1915, in regard to the decision of the Supreme Court affirming the award of the lower court against the Hatters of Danbury, by which the Hatters are required to pay the outrageous award in damages brought by the Loewe Company in the enormous sum of $252,000. The officers inquired whether the A. F. of L. would aid in the payment of the damages awarded. "The Executive Council, while feeling that a great injustice has been done the Hatters, finds that despite that feeling, the A. F. of L. has neither the means nor authority to pay the award or the damages in whole or in part. The suit was brought by the Loewe Company against the Hatters; later when the United Hatters of North America were financially unable to bear the expense of defending the case in the courts up to and including the appeals to the highest courts of our land, the A. F. of L. pledged itsċif to aid financially in the legal procedure. This pledge, contained in the resolution adopted by the Denver Convention of the A. F. of L. has been fully performed. The A. F. of L., by its activities growing out of the necessity as developed in the Hatters' case, has secured the enactment of the labor provisions of the Clayton antitrust law October 15, 1914. This law precludes the possibility of any similar suit being brought in the federal courts for the exercise of normal activities as performed by the Hatters when such activities have been performed since the enactment of the law, and thus the A. F. of L. has performed its full duties to the Hatters and to all labor in the premises." Because of the unusual disturbing elements complicating business affairs› because of the grave problems of unemployment that mean suffering to so many, the organized labor movement is everywhere making a determined, emphatic protest against all false and unwise policies of economy in municipal and governmental affairs. Organized labor is not advocating extravagant or needless expenditure of public funds. It demands that where public improvements and public works are necessary the construction work shall be begun in order to provide work for those unemployed and in need. Organized labor demands that public funds shall not be hoarded at this critical time but shall be used for the public welfare. Such a policy would not only directly benefit those who thereby receive employment, but would indirectly help to establish confidence and to put industrial affairs upon a more secure basis. Industrial and commercial affairs are a sort of economic "House that Jack Built"-everything is interrelated and interdependent. Pull out one part and the rest becomes insecure; strengthen one part and all the rest fits together more firmly, better able to resist outside pressure. The organized workers will continue to urge public improvements to provide work for the unemployed and will hold public agents responsible for withholding public contracts, curtailing plans for public improvements or works, or delaying for a future time work that might be done at gent. PRESIDENT GOMPERS' REPORT TO THE The American Federation of Labor furnishes the International Federation of Trade Unions an annual report summarizing the gains of the American trade union movement for that period of time. These reports contain much information in a readi'y usable form that should be at the service of all members of organized labor. The gains made furnish indisputable evidence that through a virile economic organization the workers are able and competent to promote heir own welfare. The trade union movement stimulates and maintains in the workers responsibility for the immediate and future betterment of conditions of work and life. That sense of personal responsibility, manifest in the initiative and the virility of the rank and file of the organized labor movement, made possible the splendid achievements which can only be enumerated in a report of this nature. Because of present conditions the International Federation of Trade Unions has been unable to publish the 1913 report, but expects to combine that report with the one for 1914. The material should be available for American trade unionists, hence in accord with the spirit of the instructions of the Seattle Convention, the report is published in this and the following issue of the American Federationist.-Editor. National Legislative Gains for 1913 discrediting the administrative parties by a species of contraction and depression business interests endeavored to impress both the unemployed and a large number of the employed workers that the new administration's proposed legislation and policies were primarily at fault. Despite all this maneuvering it is due to the American organized labor movement, and to it alone, that no reduction in wages has been enforced and very few attempts made to reduce wages. For the first time in the history of the labor movement of America, and perhaps that of any other country, wages were either increased or maintained, conditions improved or at least not deteriorated, during a period of industrial stagnation even though the stagnation was artificially produced. We have had the tremendous struggles of the coal miners of West Virginia and Colorado and of the metalliferous miners of Calumet, Michigan. Under authority strained wholly beyond power bestowed by the law, the public officials of these districts undertook to deny to workmen the rights to which they were entitled under the constitution and the laws. Conflicts arose and brutal treatment was inflicted. It may be interesting to note here that in West Virginia the rights of the workers have been now formally recognized and a most advantageous agreement reached between the miners' union and the mine owners. At Calumet, Michigan, though the strike was declared off, the conditions for which the miners contended, except that of union mines, have been achieved. And in Colorado the contentions of the miners' union have been accorded to such strike-breakers as have been employed and are open for the acceptance of the miners still on strike providing they will not demand that the mines be unionized. The coal miners' union is confident that the near future will find a solution by which agreements will be reached covering not only that field but shall bring conditions of work and organization there in accord with those of entire United Mine Workers throughout America. In the report which I here submit in detail, attention should again be called to the fact so that it may be understood, that the legislative period of the 1912 report was by Congress itself necessarily extended to March 4, 1913. It is necessary to note this because of the fact that the legislative life of the Sixty-second Congress expired on the same date that the legislative life of the Sixty-third Congress began, March 4, 1913. Ordinarily the American Congress formally convenes on the first Monday of December of the year for which the Congress is elected, but owing to the fact that the Democratic party was elected to power in the legislative and executive departments of the American government during the general elections of November, 1912, it was deemed necessary by the leaders of that party to convene Congress in extraordinary session at an earlier date than is normally required. President Wilson issued a call for the Sixty-third Congress to meet April 7, 1913. The reasons given for the special session were that the political party he represents deemed it advisable to revise the tariff rates downward and to reorganize the currrency and banking systems of the United States. The term "tariff" in the United States is applied to the system of collecting duties on importations of foreign manufactured goods, raw materials and other commodities. It was not expected that under such circumstances there would be much time or opportunity for the Congress to give consideration to legislation specially advocated by Labor. Nevertheless, certain opportunities were afforded to advance the interests of Labor and we took advantage of such opportunities to the greatest possible extent. First, we urged our friends in Congress to introduce the measures to which we have been and are committed; secondly, we co-operated with the "Labor Group," and our other friends in Congress in seeing to it that the important committees to which our measures were referred should be composed of not only sympathetic, but intelligent industrial states men. During the special or extraordinary session of the Sixty-third Congress we succeeded in obtaining favorable action upon the following important matters: (1) The Congress enacted and the President approved an amendment to an appropriation act declaring that money so appropriated should not be expended for the prosecution of organizations of labor or farmers' associations for bettering their economic conditions through their unions and their farmers' associations. Notwithstanding the fact that the Sixty-second Congress in both branches had overwhelmingly passed a similar amendment in the appropriation bill for that Congress, it was vetoed by the former President of the United States, Mr. Taft. We deemed that particular declaration had a pronounced effect: First, because it verified our contentions that Representatives in Congress did not consider court interpretations just or proper when they included organizations of the working people within the purview of the antitrust laws. Second: With such a mandate from Congress on expenditure of public money in an appropriation bill, encouragement was extended to warrant the people in believing that substantive remedial law would be enacted during the regular session of Congress, relieving labor associations and farmers' organizations from the provisions of the antirust laws. (2) After many years of persistent endeavor we secured the passage by the United States Senate of the Seamen's bill, on October 9, 1913. The purpose of this measure is to improve the working and living conditions of seafaring men, to regulate their hours of work, to abolish involuntary servitude, to restore freedom and liberty to the seamen, and to provide for greater safety at sea. While this meritorious measure has not yet been enacted into law, a great step has been gained by securing its passage by the United States Senate. (3) The voluntary arbitration act for employes on railroads was amended by providing for a permanent office and Arbitration and Conciliation Board. This board has already been helpful in the adjustment of disputes between railroad managers and the several brotherhoods of railroad employes, invariably with beneficial results to the workers. (4) An eight-hour law for working women employed in the District of Columbia, in which the national government has full jurisdiction, was passed without a dissenting vote in either the House of Representatives or the United States Senate. (5) A federal Industrial Commission, created by the Sixty-second Congress, was duly appointed by President Wilson and confirmed by the Senate. In securing the passage of the law creating this com. mission, which consists of nine, organized labor insisted upon and Congress enacted a provision that three of the commission shall be "representatives of organized labor." Two of them were recommended by the A. F. of L., and one by the railroad brotherhoods. They are: Mr. James O'Connell, former President of the International Association of Machinists, and Vice-President of the A. F. of L.; Mr. John B. Lennon, former Secretary of the Journeymen Tailors' Union of America, and Treasurer of the A. F. of L.; and Mr. A. B. Garretson President of the Order of Railroad Conductors. (6) A resolution providing for a joint commission for the purpose of studying and reporting a plan for national aid to vocational education, trade and vocational training, was passed by Congress. Upon that commission two well-known representatives of labor organizations were appointed; namely, Mr. Charles H. Winslow, of the Sawsmiths' Union, and Miss Agnes Nestor, of the Glove Workers' Union. (7) A very acute industrial dispute raged for months in the coal fields of West Virginia. Through the efforts of the A. F. of L. the United States Senate appointed a commission of its own members to in vestigate the complaints. It is gratifying to report that before that Senatorial investigation was completed the mine workers through their accredited representatives made a satisfactory adjustment with the mine owners. By the agreement peace was restored, working conditions were improved, the right of private purchases by mine workers was conceded, and 10 per cent increase in wages was gained; the nine-hour day was made effective; check weighmen for mine workers at the coal mines secured; and the check-off system for the payment of dues to the union through the counting rooms of the mine operators was obtained. (8) More ample provisions were made for the new Department of Labor. The Secretary of this Department is a member of the President's cabinet. Mr. W. B. Wilson, formerly Secretary of the United Mine Workers of America, for years a delegate to the conventions of the A. F. of L., is the Secretary of the Department. Indeed, this report upon national legislative gains for the year 1913, must not be construed as being all of the humanitarian legislation secured throughout the United States but must be read as only a part of that which is now reported under the heading "State Legislative Gains," and which, of course, refers to legislation enacted by the several states enumerated whose legislatures were in session during 1913.* State Legislative Gains for 1913 By referring to my report on "State Legislative Gains for 1912," it will be observed that fifteen of the states held legislative sessions. It will also be observed that the record showed a splendid progressive trend of labor, social and humanitarian legislation. The legislative record now furnished for the states for the year 1913, shows that forty-one states enacted legislation of such a progressive character that it was not only complementary to the fifteen states in 1912, but it also displays in a most emphatic and illuminating manner the splendid results achieved by the intelligent militancy of members of the American trade union movement. In order that the summary which I now furnish of practical legislation enacted by the state legislatures in the workers' interests during the year 1913, it must, of course, be understood by readers and students of this report that the results furnished herewith are supplementary to legislation previously enacted by the states during previous sessions of the state legislatures. Such labor laws are given in full in several large volumes compiled and published by the Department of Labor. These reports are furnished gratis by the United States Department of Labor to many of the public and official libraries in European countries where ready reference can be made by students in quest of detailed information. Upon application copies of volumes containing the Labor Laws of the several states and the United States may be obtained from Hon. William B. Wilson, Secretary of the United States Department of Labor. Arizona:-Hours of service for women limited to eight per day. *Of course this report does not include a report of the enactment of the labor sections of the Clayton Act which became law October 15, 1914.-S. G. Arkansas: (1) Bureau of Labor Statistics created with power to administer labor laws of the state; (2) Workmen's compensation and employers' liability law enacted; (3) Leasing of convicts to private contractors and employers forbidden; (4) Full crew law enacted for railroad employes on switch engines; (5) Employers of female workers required to furnish seats for them during working hours; (6) Law enacted requiring employers to engage a physician when petitioned for a majority of the employes, with right extended to employes to stipulate the salary of such physician. California: (1) An industrial commission created, with power to make rules and regulations governing factories and workshops and to enforce mandatory provisions directing employers to proivide medical and surgical necessities; (2) Commissioner of Labor authorized to appoint an attorney for the administration of labor laws; (3) An accident prevention fund authorized; (4) All work places must be registered in future with the Commissioner of Labor; (5) Swinging scaffolds on construction of buildings must be regulated according to new law, and adequate safety provided on building hoists; (6) Child labor law amended and strengthened; (7) A minimum wage commission provided; (8) Workmen's compensation and employers' liability law of 1911 amended and strengthened; (9) Hours for railroad employes reduced, making the state law uniform with the federal law; (10) Commission created to regulate the employment of Asiatic labor; (11) Installation of a telephone system required in all mines; (12) Sanitary provisions made mandatory for laborers in construction camps; (13) Hatch tenders must be employed by all vessei owners while employes are loading or unloading ships; (14) Commission appointed to investigate and report an effective old-age pension, mothers' pension and other necessary employes' pension systems; (15) The railroad crew law extended to railroads operated by electricity; (16) A new headlight law for locomotives enacted; (17) Blacklisting of employes by employers prohibited, and advertisements for help during strikes regulated; (18) Private employment agencies more stringently regulated; (19) The women's eight-hour law amended and extended to include women working in public lodging houses, apartment houses, hospitals and places of amusement; (20) Mothers' pension law enacted. Colorado:-Mining laws amended and entirely rewritten; (2) Safety and inspection regulations provided, all accidents and diseases to miners must be reported to Chief Mine Inspector; (3) Safety regulations for construction of buildings; (4) Child labor law amended; (5) Employers' liability law amended by abrogating common law defense of "assumption of risk;" (6) Eight-hour law enacted for men employed in underground mines, quarries, smelters, reduction works and coke ovens; (7) New locomotive headlight law enacted; (8) Minimum wage board created to regulate wages of women; (9) Eight-hour law passed governing employment of women; Mothers' pension law enacted. Connecticut:-(1) A law requiring reporting of occupational diseases enacted; (2) Number of factory inspectors increased, with greater administrative power; (3) Child labor law strengthened; (4) Working hours of minors under 16 limited to ten per day, and fifty-five per week; (5) Workmen's compensation for injuries law enacted, and em |