PRESIDENT GOMPERS' REPORT.*

ROCHESTER, N. Y., November 11, 1912.

To the Officers and Delegates to the Thirty-second Annual Convention of the American Federation of Labor:

FELLOW TRADE UNIONISTS: The past year has been one of steady, undeterred advances toward better conditions and a position of greater influence, despite severe trials. The events of the year have brought out the reasonableness and practicability of our methods and aims. What at the time our critics and antagonists declared to be the forerunner of our ultimate disintegration, only served to bring out the devotion and the tenacity of purpose of the membership of organized labor, the honesty and stability upon which our movement is builded. We have ever made progress surely and safely, undeceived by beguiling crusades that, like a will-o'-wisp, allure the unwary into treacherous bogs. It is no easy matter to maintain an open mind, aware of new forces and tendencies, able and alert to detect the real from the spurious, the lasting from the ephemeral, in a day when the minds of all mankind are pondering the problems of society and straining after solutions. With the progress of the ages has come a widening of men's thoughts and social vision, a new appreciation of the meaning of life with its attendant responsibilities and obligations. Among men and women of all walks of life has come this awakening; all manner of social solutions are urged; all kinds of associations for the promotion of special reforms have arisen. The accumulated momentum of all these activities has swept away the mental atmosphere generated by the old individualistic philosophy, made way for broader, more generous sympathies and impulses, and enlightened, scientific efforts to achieve the highest development industrially, politically, socially, and morally. In starting the forces that have led to these changes, our much misrepresented organized labor movement has wielded an influence previously little understood outside our ranks. As is just, we profit also by the changes we have created, for this wider social vision has enabled men to see the justice of our work and of our fundamental principles and purposes. Today we find innumerable organizations working independently, or willing to co-operate with us, to the end that workers shall be enabled to have better working conditions, a shorter working day and better wages, that our life may be wholesome, clean, and uplifting. All of these things are stepping-stones by which the toilers climb upward and onward-each step revealing a wider horizon and an increasing conception of human possibilities.

In reviewing the progress of Labor, two viewpoints are necessary to present the whole development: A dynamic examination to show advancement, tendencies, causes, etc.; a static examination, or a cross-section of the present civilization, to show relations with present conditions, problems, and needs. Contemplation of the progress of Labor reveals the journey upward through the centuries from the status of slavery to serfdom, to villanage, and finally to freedom, opening the road to a new plane of battle-legal, individual freedom did not as such secure industrial and social freedom. The struggle to secure for the individual, opportunity for development of mental, physical, and moral powers that he might enter into his rightful heritage, joy in life and work, began with juristic freedom and is the inspiration of our present activities. To show what progress we have made, one has only to turn the pages of history. The organized workman of today enjoys comforts of which feudal barons never dreamed comforts of home, heating, furnishing, sanitation, food, and clothing; his children receive in the public schools an education more comprehensive than medieval universities could bestow; his opportunities for intellectual stimulation and social amus ent have increased a thousandfold; his advantages in transportation and communication have revolutionized living. These same pages of history tell the story of how those who labor have been able to secure so much greater proportion of the social wealth. Wherever the working people have made progress, some form of organization has been the agency that has transformed individual impotency into collective strength-fraternities, lodges, merchant guilds, craft guilds have been helpful, but the labor unions, trade unions, have been the most potent factors in the forward movement. A survey of methods shows that the forms of "labor war" have been constantly refined; free workmen do not employ the methods of revolting slaves. As the workers' organizations were strengthened, more benefits were secured;

*This report is not complete. Portions are referred to and omitted here. The complete report is printed in the official proceedings.

as a result of these benefits, the workers developed physically and mentally and were able to produce more wealth; with a broader outlook and increased self-appreciation, new demands were formulated-so the cycle of progress continues. This dynamic examination presents achievements of which we are justly proud, affords encouragement for continuation of the struggle. The backsets have been temporary; what seemed at the time disasters, the historic perspective reveals as incentives to new methods and activities; increased well-being has been permanent.

The static examination deals with the movement at close range, endeavors to present forces, relations, activities of a single epoch-as it were, snap-shots of the movement in action. Such a view enables one to take readings of our various records that indicate our progress at that time; allows us to get our bearings, sense our. strength, our opportunities. Often dangers loom up large and threatening; injustice, suffering, sorrow on all sides, warn us that the fight is not yet ended. But these phenomena can not be estimated apart from their relations to the past in which they have their origin, and the satisfaction from the glance backward encourages us for the work before us.

The demand for higher wages represents our conviction that a constantly greater share of increased social wealth should go to those who create it. The progress of humanity results from the elimination of poverty. Poverty means degrading environment and influence that result in intellectual and moral degeneration. Permanent amelioration of the human lot must have as its basis material resources. The next step is to distribute these products so that the greatest number may fairly benefit thereby. As an element in the forces determining distribution, the trade union has been most potent. A comparison of conditions prevailing among unorganized with those that have employed collective bargaining, reveals unmistakable proofs of the beneficent results due to trade unionism. Higher wages mean better homes, better clothing, better food, better bodies and minds, recreation, a higher standard of life.

The aim for a higher standard of life is the incentive for the demand for a shorter workday. The verdicts of modern scientists are confirming the fundamental importance of this demand which the trade union has so long been pressing. These scientists are warning us against the danger to the race from the continuous industrial strain and concentration of energy in modern industry. Commerce and industry can be allowed to exploit the leisure of the workers only at the expense of national well-being. The shorter workday means increased efficiency of the worker in the shop, better, longer, and happier living, and development of the higher emotions and feelings. It increases the productive period of the worker, lengthens his life, and enables him longer to provide for those dependent upon him, that the children may have an opportunity to taste of the pleasures of child life before assuming the burdens of the human "strugglefor existence.'

This more efficient, more human worker, demands better working conditions, the aim being to conserve human resources. Much has been done to let pure air and sunshine into working places, to exclude conditions breeding organisms injurious to life, but ever-increasing knowledge and the widening of our conception forbid us to stop or stay in the crusade for human welfare. Among all the organizations on the American continent working upon the various phases of this great problem, the American Federation of Labor is the leader, and has often been the pioneer blazing the way.

These three demands of organized labor are comprehended in this larger and ultimate ideal to enrich, enlarge, and magnify humanity. The influence and the potency of the American Federation of Labor are so well appreciated by the thinkers and leaders in our nation's affairs, that almost every considerable movement for humanitarian, economic, or political reform has endeavored to enlist our approval and support. Men of labor, we play an honorable and important part in the affairs of this great nation. We are daily helping to determine its destiny.

But in spite of many alluring proposals, many new prophets proclaiming, "Lo! here," and "Lo! there," the American Federation of Labor has ever cleaved to the old and tried fundamental propositions upon which we have builded our organization. We have not been deluded by fads or impractical visions, but have ever examined each new one to see whether it contained that one essential quality-furtherance of human welfare. We have been wedded to the cause and to the movement for the protection, development, and advancement of the people. We have ever endeavored to maintain an alertness, an awareness of the needs and tendencies of the times that members of our organizations and our fellow-workers might profit thereby. In the political field we have taken advantage of every opportunity, and often created opportunities, which, in a fair degree, promised tangible results in the interests of the workers, the masses of our people. In our movement the political methods and instrumentalities are of less consequence than the attainment of the objects which we seek. There has been no factor in all our land so effective in establishing the initiative and referendum as the American Federation of Labor, because we believe that through that system a safer method would exist by which, with a well

organized labor movement, real democracy shall be realized. Here, as in all political problems, we realize that democracy will not come to pass automatically as a result of the machinery, but only as a result of political education and aroused sense of responsibility. Hence, the American Federation of Labor has ever endeavored to direct, warn, and rouse the voters of the country to the designs and activities of the forces that would sacrifice social welfare to individual, industrial, commercial, and political profits. When political machinery renders officialdom responsive to public opinion and humanitarian interest, an alert, educated, interested electorate will achieve democracy.

As a result of the recent awakening of the workers of the United States, this growing realization of their political power and influence, more progress in remedial, -constructive legislation has been made this year than in the decade previous. We do need new devices and new methods of political expression, but not half as much as we need to realize and to use the power that we now possess, to consecrate ourselves and our ability to humanity's cause.

As labor organizations have been able to secure advantages for their members, they have endeavored as far as possible to share these with the workmen not enrolled in their ranks. We have endeavored to help them to help themselves, to organize, federate, and educate their fellow-workers so that we shall hasten the time when poverty, with its fear and degradation, shall be eliminated, and the way opened for lasting progress. Rights and privileges that are today entrusted to our care, are the fruits of past struggles. We are obligated to preserve inviolate the things entrusted to our keeping, and to account for them with interest to the next age.

As is my privilege and duty, I shall now present for your consideration some of the various phases of the activities of the American Federation of Labor not covered by the report of the Executive Council, which will be presented later. The phases dealt with were chosen as representative and distinctive. Study of them will reveal many reasons for encouragement and good cheer. Though shadow and darkness have passed over us, yet we have not lost in strength, influence, or organization. We are planning to enter upon big and difficult problems and undertakings.

ORGANIZATION AND GROWTH.

It is exceedingly gratifying to report the extension and growth of the American Federation of Labor, as well as the membership of affiliated organizations. The American Federation of Labor issued 260 certificates of affiliation (charters) during the fiscal year ending September 30, 1912, as follows:

At the close of the fiscal year there were affiliated to the organization:

The average membership reported and upon whom per capita tax was paid by the affiliated organizations to the American Federation of Labor during the past year, was 1,770,145, an increase over the number reported for 1911, which was 1,761,835. On September 30, 1912, the membership of affiliated organizations was 1,841,268.

Perhaps it would be well to again repeat that our international organizations each have jurisdiction over the classes of work performed by their respective memberships within the American continent. Each international is composed of various local unions. Affiliated to the 112 internationals belonging to our Federation, are 20,964 local unions.

The success and the growing appreciation of the value of organization along international lines has been particularly gratifying during the past year. This progress is discussed under the section on Canada in this report and in the American Federationist for June and September, 1912.

The State and city central bodies are composed of representatives from various local organizations; such organizations are intended to secure for the workers advantages impossible of achievement by isolated organizations or those who often call

themselves "independent." It is an isolation and independence on a par with the position of impotency of the non-union "independent" wage-worker.

The city central bodies and State federations have been of tremendous importance in securing for the workers in the local unions and for all wage-earners, improved conditions in all the affairs and interests of the working people.

Our international unions and our American Federation of Labor can do the cause of Labor no greater benefit than by encouraging and assisting, in strengthening and extending, the power and influence of the State federations and central bodies, and by seeing to it that the spirit, as well as the letter of our laws, shall be enforced requiring that local unions shall be represented in these bodies.

It will be seen that there are now 112 international unions affiliated, and from that bare statement a wrong inference may be drawn that there is a smaller number of organized workers in international unions. The fact is, that during the past few years there has been a process of amalgamation. Then, again, others have had their charters either revoked or suspended, as will be shown in Secretary Morrison's report.

The section on "CANADA" deals with the progress of the labor movement in that country and calls attention to the significant development of international organization and the decline of the purely Canadian organi

zation.

Under the caption "PORTO RICO" is presented gratifying progress in local organizations and the urgent needs of the Island-especially educational needs.

Under the title "CITIZENSHIP FOR PORTO RICO" is given the status of the legislation to secure that end.

In the section on the "BUILDING Trades DepARTMENT" is incorporated the department's numerical and financial strength, and its success in fulfilling the functions for which it was created.

The report for the "METAL Trades DepartmMENT" deals with the eighthour movement of those allied trades in California, results of "joint efforts," enforcement of jurisdictional decisions, and constitutional changes.

Under the heading, "MINING DEPARTMENT," is given the progress made by our newest department.

The report on the "RAILROAD EMPLOYES DEPARTMENT" states that the chief work of that department has been along lines of legislation and furtherance of the federation idea.

The section entitled "UNION LABEL TRADES DEPARTMENT" presents progress in departmental organization, increase in union labelled products and efforts to secure the enactment of a Federal law for the prohibition of contract convict labor.

CARL LEGIEN'S VISIT.

Upon the invitation of the American Federation of Labor, Mr. Carl Legien, secretary of the International Secretariat and president of the Federation of Trade Unions of Germany, visited the United States last spring. I planned an itinerary for him that would afford him the best possible opportunities for learning the industrial conditions within our country and getting in touch with the labor movement in such a way as to understand its various relations. As Mr. Legien had been compelled the previous year to decline an invitation to make a tour of the country and had again been invited to make such a tour in 1912, he accepted it and at the same time accepted an invitation to address meetings held under the auspices of the Socialist party.

Upon the advice of American Federation of Labor officials, and it was agreed to by Mr. Legien, it was arranged that he should begin and complete the tour of meetings arranged under the auspices of the American Federation of Labor, and, upon its completion, then proceed on his tour lecturing under the auspices of the Socialist party. The itinerary mapped out afforded him an opportunity to visit all of the large industrial centers from Boston to Denver. It was arranged that Mr. Legien should make one speech in each city, and have the remainder of his time for conferences with various labor representatives, visiting various labor headquarters, investigating methods, ways and conditions, as well as seeing something of American civilization, progress and natural beauties.

Arrangements were made with various representatives of local organizations, international officers, and other labor representatives, so that every avenue would be open to Mr. Legien to obtain the greatest amount of information with the

least amount of difficulty on his part. As he does not speak English, it was necessary for his addresses to be interpreted by his secretary, Mr. A. Baumeister, who accompanied him. Mr. Legien made two visits to Washington. It was arranged during the first visit that he be invited by the House of Representatives to address that body. The address was delivered in German and translated into English by Mr. Baumeister; then in recess the members greeted him in person. On the second trip to Washington, Mr. Legien's chief purpose was to study more thoroughly the work done at the headquarters of the American Federation of Labor.

Such exchange of international visits are of incalculable value to the different organizations. Personal contact of representatives and personal investigation enable the workers, though separated, to understand more thoroughly and more exactly the conditions and the problems under which the labor movement of the various countries operates. Correspondence is often the cause of misunderstanding; men may misunderstand or misrepresent and give biased or partial accounts. Mr. Legien expressed his astonishment at some of the conditions he found which were so different from any report that had been carried to him. The information acquired by Mr. Legien will be of greatest importance in correcting misinformation that had been carried abroad and in establishing more cordial and sympathetic co-operation between our respective countries. Mr. Legien is in a position to exercise influence in moulding popular opinion in his various capacities as secretary of the International Secretariat of trade unions of the world and president of the Federation of Trade Unions of Germany.

While here, on several occasions, both in public address as well as private conference, Mr. Legien emphatically declared that co-operation, not rivalry, was the basis for the success of organized labor in Germany; that the spirit of rivalry and opposition to trade unionism can not result in substantial progress. In Germany cooperation in trade union effort has produced best results. He made clear to all that in the United States the trade union movement as represented by the American Federation of Labor is the only one which is bona fide and that any or all antagonism or rivalry should be condemned. He emphasized as of considerable importance the fact that several years ago some so-called radical socialists of Germany organized "Socialist unions," and that the congress of the Socialist party of Germany then issued directions that these unions should not be recognized as bona fide organizations and that any socialist who became a member of a so-called "Socialist union" should be expelled from the party. Mr. Legien repeatedly expressed disapproval of antagonistic rival organizations and attempts to undermine the work of the American trade union movement.

The American Federation of Labor will gain in effectiveness and usefulness by establishing cordial relations and co-operation with the organized labor movement of Europe. Only through the exchange of personal representatives can correct impressions of our purposes and policies be conveyed. Misrepresentation resulting in false conceptions can be successfully refuted and counteracted only by having a representative participating in the discussions of the International Secretariat. Therefore, the attention of the convention is called to the fact that our organization should request a meeting of the International Secretariat in 1913, and the advisability of electing a delegate or authorizing the Executive Council to select some delegate in case a meeting is held that year, Should it be deemed inadvisable to hold a meeting in 1913, I suggest that this convention request that no convention be held until 1915. During that year the Panama Canal Exposition will be held in San Francisco between February 20 and December 4. Inasmuch as that will be an event of more than ordinary international interest, it would be most timely and fitting for this convention to extend a cordial invitation to the International Secretariat to hold its meeting for 1915 in San Francisco, immediately preceding or following the convention of the American Federation of Labor, which, I assume, will be held in that city in 1915.

The section dealing with a proposition for a "LABOR FORWARD MOVEMENT" deals with the subject of creating a movement for an energetic revival for more thorough organization. The subject was fully covered in the October, 1912, issue of the American Federationist.

The matter under the caption "ORGANIZATION OF STEEL WORKERS" deals with the American Federation of Labor's present campaign to educate, uplift, and Americanize these workers, that they may secure for themselves the justice to which they are entitled.

MIGRATORY WORKERS.

The organization of migratory workers has been given all the attention that has been possible this year by the American Federation of Labor. The demands made by affiliated organizations upon the American Federation of Labor for organizers have precluded the continued assignment of many organizers to this particular field. Furthermore, the organization of the migratory workers largely depends upon the influence