session of which disqualifies for a pension."

"And in section 8 the committee was in doubt whether it could "transfer the cost of maintaining the aged poor from the rates to the taxes, and the sums needed for the various schemes propounded are all matters of considerable doubt. Your committee are of opinion that the reduction of poor law expenditure will be considerably less than has often been represented, because the proportion of the aged poor who are now or may be in future in the workhouses could with advantage to themselves live outside with the help of a pension."

The last bill introduced in the House of Commons providing for old age pensions was submitted February 13, 1908, and from its general provisions we take the following details:

"1. The act shall not apply to Scotland or Ireland.

"2. In the case of a person having no income or less than $1.20 per week, the amount of $1.20 per week shall be allowed.

"3. In the case of a person having an income of $1.20 per week and less than $2.40 per week, such sum as is equivalent to the difference between the income of such person and $2.40 per week."

The usual provisions for disqualification, such as bad conduct, habitual laziness, drunkenness, etc., are a part of the bill. And in this bill the method suggested to provide the necessary funds to finance old age pensions is made a local matter for the county councils, as the following extract from the bill provides: "The moneys required for the payment of pensions and such salaries of officers as shall be fixed by the Pension Committee, and such expenses of carrying this act into effect, as shall from time to time be sanctioned by the County Council, shall be paid out of moneys provided by a county rate to be levied in equal proportions on owner and occupier."

some

"In considering the advisability of recommending legislation providing for old age pensions in the United States, it must be borne in mind that the technical legal questions surrounding federal and state jurisdiction will be of the most difficult of solution. The Federal Government, through Congress, could only provide pensions for those immediately in the employ of the Federal Government, or the employes of those en

gaged in interstate commerce, and then the states would have to be depended upon to care for the residents in the jurisdiction of the state. It would require many years of constant effort to even get this subject seriously considered in many of the states of our country, when we take into due consideration the stupendous difficulties that have been and are necessary to be overcome in order to obtain legislation for the workers of a much more moderate character.

"Constitutional discussions would ensue relative not only to federal and state jurisdiction, but to power of taxation, and even though it were proposed to raise an old age pension fund from a new system of taxation or inheritances or land values or internal revenues of other characters, it would have the effect of raising many new and complex issues that would be most difficult to solve and finally win the approbation of the public.

"Then again, you will observe that in the compensation laws of nearly every country there are the 'usual' provisions for disqualification such as 'bad conduct, habitual laziness, drunkenness,' etc. Of course, a law of such a character must take into account these human derelictions; but it is also a matter for consideration whether men who are active in the cause of labor, whether men who stoutly defend their rights and the rights of their fellow workers, may not by some distortion be regarded as guilty of 'bad conduct'; whether this fact and the fear of its result may not 'take the heart out' of.some men who seek to defend, to protect or to promote their rights and interests.

"In a speech of Honorable George A. Bartlett, of Nevada, published in the Congressional Record of June 8, 1908, is given a comprehensive statement of compensation acts prevailing in the several countries which have such laws.

"About a week from now I shall be in a position to present to you the facts contained in that speech."

A copy of the speech of Mr. Bartlett is at the disposal of this convention.

ALASKAN FISHERIES.

The subject-matter of Resolution No. 179 dealt with the wanton destruction of fish in the rivers of Alaska by the use of salmon traps.

This matter was brought to the attention of the Secretary of Commerce and

Labor and a hearing obtained. As a result of the testimony presented, an order was issued prohibiting the use of fishing traps in the Wood river and Nushagak

river.

CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES.

Notwithstanding the general recognition of the necessity for the conservation of the natural resources of our country, Congress has persistently refused to enact legislation with this necessary object in view. Congress preferred to yield to the rapine of private avarice rather than to the public welfare.

In view of this, President Roosevelt called a conference at Washington to discuss this important phase of the physical necessities of the people of our country, to which he invited the governors of the states, scientists and specialists familiar with the subject, and invited President Gompers and Vice-President Mitchell as representatives of labor.

A commission was created by the conference for the purpose of furthering the movement for the conservation of our natural resources, and

the Executive

On Friday, the 12th of February, 1909, will occur the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. In all the history of our republic no man lived who, in himself and in his work, more completely embodied and typified the ennobling aspirations and ideals of human justice and human freedom. No man ever loved his fellow men more than he. None had a better knowledge or a deeper sympathy with the struggles and hopes of the toilers.

We were asked, and gladly gave, our support to a movement to make of his birthplace a perpetual Mecca of all who loved liberty and humanity. It is expected that a country-wide, fitting celebration be had upon the centennial an

niversary of Lincoln's birth. The celebration is yet in indefinite form.

We recommend that Friday, February 12, 1909, the centennial of the birth of the revered and martyred Lincoln, wherever possible, be made a holiday by all labor. That we urge upon Congress and the several states that that day be declared a legal holiday.

That the officers of the American Federation of Labor be authorized to be duly represented in any national celebration which may be inaugurated or which they may initiate, so that the day and the memory of the advent and services of this great and good man may be fittingly observed and impressed upon the hearts and consciences of our people.

As the delegates are aware, a determined effort is being made by the Russian government to have the federal authorities return to Russia Jan Pouren, a political refugee. It is claimed by the Russian government that he had committed crimes in his native country during the period of the revolutionary upheaval in 1906. Pouren succeeded in escaping from Russia after the defeat of the revolution, and came to the United States and endeavored to gain an honest livelihood. Russian spies discovered his whereabouts, and the representative of the Russian government induced the federal authorities to have him arrested on charges of crimes committed in the Baltic provinces. Pouren has been in prison now for many months and is still awaiting the outcome of the proceedings. The United States commissioner, after proceedings extending over many months, decided in favor of the Russian government. A strong movement is now under way to oppose the extradition of Pouren.

This matter was brought to the attention of the Executive Council, who, believing that our forefathers always intended that our Republic should be an asylum for political refugees, took up the matter. The Executive Council has given the matter careful consideration, and President Gompers was authorized in the name of the Executive Council of the American Federation of Labor to request President Roosevelt to intervene in behalf of Pouren. A telegram was forwarded in the name of the Executive Council to a mass meeting held in New

York while the Council was in session. The following letter was prepared in accordance with the action of the Executive Council and forwarded to the Prestdent:

"Washington, D. C., Sept. 12, 1908. "Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States, Oyster Bay, N. Y. "Sir: By direction of the Executive Council of the American Federation of Labor, now in session in this city, I have the honor to bring to your attention the subject-matter of a resolution adopted by the Executive Council, urgently requesting that you should exercise your great power to intervene and prevent the surrender of Jan Pouren to the Russian government.

"Pouren came to this country during the period of the revolutionary upheaval in Russia in 1906, he having succeeded in escaping from Russia after the defeat of the revolution. The representatives of the Russian Government, having discovered his whereabouts, induced the federal authorities to have him arrested on charges of crimes committed in the Baltic Provinces, requesting that he be turned over to the Russian authorities to be held under such charges. He is now in prison awaiting the outcome of the proceedings, Commissioner Shields, after proceedings extending over many months, having decided in favor of the Russian Government.

"A strong movement is now under way to oppose Pouren's extradition, upon the grounds that the right of political asylum is at stake in this case, the first of its kind on record, and a protest mass meeting in his behalf was held at Cooper Union, New York City, last night.

"The Executive Council is in hearty sympathy with the purpose of the Pouren Protest Conference and the movement to oppose his extradition, and by authority of the Executive Council I addressed a telegram to the chairman of the protest mass meeting last evening, advising him of the declaration of the Executive Council in this matter and, further, that we would appeal to you to exercise your great power to prevent a political refugee being surrendered by our Republic. Earnestly hoping that this matter may receive your favorable consideration and prompt action, I have the honor to remain, "Very respectfully yours,

"SAMUEL GOMPERS, "President, "American Federation of Labor."

To this the President replied that the matter will receive every consideration, and the Secretary of State, after giving the papers in the case careful consideration, will take such action as may be necessary to safeguard the rights of Jan Pouren. Secretary Root has already taken action, and thus far extradition prevented. It is earnestly hoped that the right of asylum in our Republic for political offenders may be fully sustained in this case.

We recommend that this Convention endorse the action of the Executive Council in this case, and take such further action as in your judgment may prevent the extradition of Pouren.

A. F. OF L. OFFICE BUILDING. Several Conventions have had the subject of adequate and appropriate office rooms for our Federation under considetation, authority having been given to the Executive Council to take action for the erection or the improvement of a building containing suitable quarters.

Acting upon this at our meeting in September, we outlined a course for the matter to be submitted to our directly affiliated local unions for consideration and vote. Our action is set forth in the following circular letter of President Gompers:

"Office of the American Federation of Labor, Washington, D. C., September 21, 1908.

"To the Directly Affiliated Local Unions of the American Federation of Labor:

"Dear Sirs and Brothers: The conventions of the American Federation of Labor have on several occasions considered the subject of constructing a building in Washington, D. C., the nation's capital, where the affairs and business of the great labor movement of America may be conveniently and efficiently carried on; in other words, the construction of a structure which would be a home for the general offices of the American Federation of Labor. Various projects have been considered, but up to this time none have been deemed feasible or practical.

"Adequate offices in office buildings cannot be obtained in this city owing to two facts-first, rents in modern office buildings are exceedingly high, and there is not one office building in Washington in which a sufficient number of rooms adjoining each other can be obtained. Committees of the Executive Council have given this subject their careful investi

gation and consideration, and at the meeting of the Executive Council it was decided to submit the proposition to the unions directly affiliated by charter to the American Federation of Labor for a referendum vote. The proposition is as follows:

"That a sum not exceeding $50,000 be loaned from the defense fund for the erection of a building for the American Federation of Labor; that the directly affiliated local unions shall select by referendum vote three persons who shall act as trustees for the local unions, who shall have power of attorney, and in whose name a mortgage shall be given to the full amount of the money loaned from the defense fund for the erection of the building referred to; that the American Federation of Labor shall annually pay over to the defense fund from its general fund not less than $2,500 until the entire loan has been liquidated; that the above proposition shall become effective only when ratified by a majority vote of the members of directly affiliated local unions voting upon the proposition, and then only to become effective if ratified and approved by the forthcoming convention of the American Federation of Labor which is to be held at Denver, Colorado, November 9-21.

"In connection with this matter it may be well to say that there is now in the defense fund the sum of $104,885.69. and that should an emergency arise by which the money loaned from the defense fund should be needed there can be no doubt that nearly the entire amount can be raised at short notice and money obtained from other quarters as mortgage upon the structure.

"The Executive Council desires me to assure the local unions that the proposition is not only one which would safeguard the funds, but it will be of great advantage to the great cause of labor.

"The local unions are required to consider and vote upon this proposition at the first meeting after the receipt of this notice, and return all votes, both in favor and against, on the enclosed blank. Do not fail to give the exact number of votes cast in favor, as well as the exact number of votes cast against the proposition. and have the enclosed ballot signed by the President and Secretary of your union.

"Secretaries of locals will forward all returns of the result of the voting within

forty-eight hours after the meeting to the undersigned. Returns received later than October 21 will not be counted. "Fraternally yours,

(Signed) "SAM'L GOMPERS, "President American Federation of Labor."

Voting blanks were issued to the locals. Eighty-nine local unions sent in their vote, 2,075 members voting in favor of the proposition, 294 members voting against. In addition, six unions sent in votes as having voted "unanimous" in favor, four unions voting "Yes" in favor, one union voting "unanimously" against.

The votes as returned are open to the inspection of this convention. We recommend that this subject-matter, together with our recommendation, be referred to a special committee, the appointment of which to be authorized by this convention, to make report thereon before our adjournment.

Acting upon the authority of the convention, we authorized President Gompers and Vice-President Morris to make every preparation for a most extensive exhibit at the Jamestown Exposition. It was of the most instructive and interesting character, including in its scope the history of the American labor movement, its growth, and the magnificent results obtained for the betterment of the workers in all fields of activity.

It was of an economic and sociological character, as well as the finest union label products. It was a gratifying spectacle to view our exhibit in Jamestown during our Norfolk convention, when the men of labor and students beheld that in one of the large buildings not only that large space was devoted to the American Federation of Labor exhibit, but that it aroused the deepest interest of all visitors to obtain an object lesson of the scope of our work and our achievements.

The exposition authorities have granted to the American Federation of Labor the gold medal and diploma for the exhibit. To much credit can not be given for these results to President Gompers and Vice-President Morris.

CONCLUSION.

We urge our fellow unionists to still greater effort in organizing the yet unorganized workers, so that not only our movement may be strengthened, but for its beneficent influences upon the toilers and all our people.

With our movement extended, and unity, fraternity and solidarity more thoroughly exemplified; with our unions establishing a system of higher dues and corresponding benefits, continually greater advances will be made in the material, social and moral uplift of all, and make for the greater success and permanency of our labor organizations and in full affiliation with the American Federation of Labor.

The legislation so necessary at the hands of our federal, state and municipal governments should be pressed to a successful conclusion, and by the common concert of action on all fields of activity will bring to our cause its fullest fruition in the establishment of a better and a higher life, not only for the toiling milions, but for all our people.

Fraternally yours,

SAMUEL GOMPERS,

President,

JAMES DUNCAN,

First Vice-President,

JOHN MITCHELL,

Second Vice-President,

JAS. O'CONNELL,

Third Vice-President, MAX MORRIS,

Fourth Vice-President, D. A. HAYES,

Fifth Vice-President, DANIEL J. KEEFE,

Sixth Vice-President, WM. D. HUBER,

Seventh Vice-President, JOS. F. VALENTINE,

Eighth Vice-President, JOHN B. LENNON,

Treasurer,

FRANK MORRISON,

Secretary, Executive Council American Federation of Labor.

Delegate Mahon-I move that that portion of the report calling for the appointment of two special committees be adopted at this time, and that the Chair be instructed to appoint the committees.

The motion was seconded, and carried by unanimous vote.

President Gompers announced the appointment of the following special committees:

SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LINCOLN'S

CELEBRATION: D. A. Hayes, James M. Lynch, W. D. Ryan, D. G. Ramsay, Edmond F. Ward, Jo. Evans, J. Mahlon Barnes, Nellie O'Boy, Elias Breidenbach, T. C. Kelsey, Hugh Kirk, John T. Butler, D. J. Tobin, Howard O. Smith, Hugh McDonald.

SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON A. F. OF L. OFFICE BUILDING: Frank Duffy, Frank M. Ryan, R. E. Woodmansee, John R. Dunne, P. J. Flannery, Louis Kemper, Melvia Richter, J. W. Kline, James T. McHugh, Victor Altman, Herbert Crampton, Frank L. Rist, Joseph A. Franklin, Thos. J. Curtis, Geo. P. Foster.

President Gompers announced the following changes in the membership of committees:

Delegate John E. Longstreet on Committee on Local and Federated Bodies in place of John P. White.

John P. White, Committee on Boycotts in place of R. E. Woodmansee, who is not in attendance.

Patrick D. Daley, on Committee on Secretary's Report in place of John Weber, who is not in attendance.

Harry Thomas, on Committee on Education, in place of Charles W. Fear, who is not in attendance.

John Carey, on Committee on Local and Federated Bodies, in place of John H. Brinkman, who is not in attendance. David McLennan, on Committee State Organization, in place of Santiago Iglesias, who is not in attendance.

on

Delegate Mangan-Is the report of the Executive Council, aside from the portion already acted on, still before the house?

President Gompers-The different subjects considered in the report will be distributed and referred to the appropriate committees.

Delegate Mangan-I desire information in regard to Resolution No. 66 of the Norfolk Convention. The resolution refers to the controversy between the steam fitters and the plumbers. Is the Building Trades Department, to which that matter has been referred, subordinate to the American Federation, or is it a co-ordinate body?

Vice-President Duncan-The course followed will be that the subject-matter will be referred to the proper committee. The committee will report to this Convention whether or not it recommends that the matter be referred to the Building Trades Department. The Con