Several communications have reached me recently in which correspondents request that their names be not made public, but which for verification will be submitted to a committee, stating that the practice now is to lay off or discharge American workmen, and particularly union men, and to employ unskilled foreign workmen in their stead. Surely in this great enterprise American workmen should have the preference wherever possible, and we have a right to expect that membership in a union should at least not work to their detriment.

I am also advised that the federal Eight-Hour Law is now a dead letter, and that this applies equally to American workmen employed there as it does to aliens. That this would be the result we all foresaw when the Eight-Hour Law was amended so that its provisions no longer applied to alien workmen in the Panama Canal Zone.

It is suggested that this matter be brought to the attention of the federal authorities, and that a thorough investigation of this entire subject be made, not only from official sources of our government, but by a representative, a trustworthy man having the confidence and respect of the men of labor.

ELECTRICAL WORKERS. .

A very serious division has occurred in the organization of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. There are two sets of officers, each claiming to be the duly constituted officials of the Brotherhood. I have advised and urged both contestants to send representatives to this city where, with the aid of the Executive Council, this convention, or myself, unity and harmony may be reestablished. If my suggested conference here shall be acceptable and acted upon, and our services required, the matter will be further called to your attention.

DUAL CAR WORKERS' INTERNATIONALS.

For several years two national organizations covering the similar jurisdiction of car workers have existed under the title of the International Association of Car Workers, and Brotherhood of Railway Carmen of America. The former is affiliated with the American Federation of Labor. There can be no question, where two organizations exist, each claiming equal jurisdiction, that rivalry and antagonism must ensue, and a clash can scarcely be avoided, and this is always to the detriment of the workers. I have endeavored to bring about an amalgamation of the two bodies into one comprehensive union, and with that end in view have held several conferences with the executive officers of both organizations. As a result, an agreement has been reached for a conference to be held in Denver some time during this convention, a representative of our Federation to participate therein and endeavor to bring about unity under one organization.

ORGANIZERS.

The organizers of the American Federation of Labor, both salaried and volunteer, have continued to render splendid service to the cause of labor during the past year. Our international union officers attest gladly the assistance rendered by our organizers, not only in organizing new unions, but increasing the membership of existing locals. By the timely visit of organizers to unions, by their advice and encouragement, much good has been accomplished. Experience has given them the opportunity of acquiring information, which has in turn been imparted to our fellow-workers. These, together with their willingness to be of service at all times, have materially aided in the progress of our cause.

AMERICAN FEDERATIONIST.

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Upon our official magazine, the AMERICAN FEDERATIONIST, has fallen great portion of the burdens of the year. It has been the storm center around which raged the injunction war in the Buck's Stove & Range Company's injunction. It has been the object of the most violent attack at the hand of the emissaries of the National Association of Manufacturers. They have put a most determined blacklist upon our advertising, pledging merchants and manufacturers not to publish advertisements in the AMERICAN FEDERATIONIST under penalty. There have

been indications of a plan to suppress altogether the publication of our magazine under injunction proceedings suppressing freedom of the press.

Naturally our advertising patronage has suffered, both from this cause and from the general business depression which has affected all branches of business, but I am glad to be able to say that financially the AMERICAN FEDERATIONIST has not been an expense to the Federation.

Our official magazine is a vital necessity to our movement in putting before the toilers and their sympathizers an accurate and full record of what has already been done by the Federation and what it desires to accomplish. The daily press of the country is known to be largely hostile to our movement and to delight in misrepresenting and abusing our motives. The AMERICAN FEDERATIONIST offers the channel through which, by editorial and by well-selected contributions, the rank and file of our members and the masses of the people are educated and informed as to our aims and purposes. So great has been the pressure of important matters, especially during the past year, that I have been obliged to add to the size of the magazine over and over again in order that our members and friends might be informed of official action of the Federation, and that its officers might tender the advice and counsel which it is their duty to give.

The AMERICAN FEDERATIONIST performs a service which will be more and more appreciated as the present events of our movement pass into history. It is the official, full and accurate record not only of all that is done by the Federation, but a true reflection of the sentiments and hopes and aims of the toilers and their sympathizers. Through the AMERICAN FEDERATIONIST we have been able to secure far better reports from the daily press than would otherwise have been possible. By giving the copies of our printed circulars and the editorials to the press, they are obliged to quote accurately or not at all. In the past year the editorials of the AMERICAN FEDERATIONIST have been quoted more widely than those of any other magazine in existence.

The Labor Press and official journals of the trade unions have reprinted selected articles, circulars and editorials of the AMERICAN FEDERATIONIST very widely, thus greatly increasing the opportunity to reach all the people.

I have endeavored to give my best thought and all the power I possess to the editorial work of the magazine, and the appreciation which it has received has made me feel that I have been fairly successful in voicing the desires and demands of the workers.

During the campaign just ended the AMERICAN FEDERATIONIST has been invaluable in correctly putting before the public the contentions of the workers and in forcing our opponents to admit that they had no excuse for misrepresentation, when in the AMERICAN FEDERATIONIST they could find the position of the workers accurately, honestly and truthfully presented.

The magazine has been fortunate in attracting contributions from many of the best and deepest thinkers of the country, and thus its educational value has been greatly increased. I can say frankly that the AMERICAN FEDERATIONIST today compares most favorably, both in appearance and character of contents, with any magazine in the country, yet it must always be our aim to accomplish still greater results.

When every effort is being put forth by our opponents to drive our official magazine out of existence, the workers should rally the more strongly to its support.

An increased circulation is advisable and necessary, both from a financial point of view and because the AMERICAN FEDERATIONIST should reach every toiler in the land in order to fully accomplish its educational work.

Owing to the fierce attack upon our magazine by the Van Cleaves and enemies of that stripe, and from the fact that the increasing growth and importance of the Federation force us to publish a much larger magazine than formerly, in order to give space to vitally important official matter, it is necessary that some financial provision should be made for the official magazine from the general funds of the Federation, and that it be not forced to depend entirely upon its advertising and subscriptions. I hope that this matter will be dealt with by the

Convention in a way which will permit the editor of the AMERICAN FEDERATIONIST to accomplish still greater results in the coming year.

LABOR PRESS.

The official journals of our international unions and the Labor Press, as a rule, have continued to render the cause of Labor invaluable service. In spite of the precarious financial conditions of many of the latter, and the temptations to yield in their loyalty to the cause of labor and justice, they have intelligently and heroically thrown the weight of their influence and power with the toilers.

Early in the summer the editors of international union official journals met in Chicago and by a practically unanimous vote determined that because of the critical situation in which the toilers found themselves, they would support, by every effort in their power, the plan of campaign for the re-establishmnt of Labor's rights, as outlined by our American labor movement.

The editors of these journals, the editors of the Labor Press generally have performed magnificent service to our cause during trying times, and I am confident that in the near future greater tangible good results will follow to the cause of which we have the honor to be a part.

No language of mine can express too strongly my own personal appreciation of their co-operation and excellent work, and I sincerely hope that the men of labor will attest their appreciation of the Labor Press of America by greaterfinancial and moral support than has been given heretofore.

CONCLUSION.

Looking over the vast field of the activities of our labor movement, the great good it has accomplished for our fellow-workers particularly, and for our people generally, the conviction has become ingrained in my very being that there is no force so potent in all society making for the material, moral, and social uplift as the much abused, and as yet little understood, labor movement.

Upon the platform, in public addresses or private conference, in addressing the workers and students of our time, I have, with whatever ability I possess, and with all the fervor of my being, sought to impress upon all, the duty of man toward his fellows to help bear our brother's burden, to make life the better worth living, for the ennoblement of manhood and womanhood; to impress this duty upon mankind, that the struggle of the children and the countless millions yet unborn may be made lighter to bear, less keen, than that with which we have been confronted and which made us burden-bearers in our time.

With earnestness and sincerity to carry the gospel of human freedom and human brotherhood to its fullest fruition; with insistence of my deepest conception of duty and right and justice, yet tolerant as any man to mental differences, it has been my aim and purpose to be helpful to my fellows.

No word have I uttered but which was attuned to the highest and deepest concern for the loftiest aspirations of my fellows. Conscious of the struggle and the intensity with which it is waged against us, and the bitterness and relentlessness of the antagonists to our cause, I have not flinched from the path, but I have met them and sought to overcome them through whatever power has been given me.

During the past year my time has, perhaps, more than ever before, been engrossed by our movement, and my activities accentuated without let, hindrance, or regard for self.

Appreciating and recording the deep obligation I owe to my fellows, it is my one constant aim and hope, whether as your President, or as one in the great rank and file of the toiling masses of our country, to aid to the fullest limits my fellow-workers, my fellow-man.

Fraternally, yours,

SAMUEL GOMPERS,
President, American Federation of Labor.

SECRETARY MORRISON'S REPORT.

To the Officers and Delegates to the Twenty-eighth Annual Convention of the American Federation of Labor:

FELLOW-UNIONISTS-I have the honor to submit a report to you of the receipts and expenditures for the past twelve (12) months, beginning October 1, 1907, and ending September 30, 1908.

It is with much pleasure that I report at the close of this fiscal year $138,627.89 in the treasury, the high-water mark in the history of the American Federation of Labor. Of the amount on hand $105,282.09 is in the Defense Fund for local trade and federal labor unions, and can be used for strike benefits only in the case of a strike or a lockout of the members of these local unions. The balance, $33,345.80, is in the General Fund. Of that fund only $17,545.01 is available for the general expenses of the American Federation of Labor. The balance, $15,800.79, is divided as follows:

In the fund created by the one-cent assessment levied by the Executive Council, in accordance with the recommendation of the last Convention, for the purpose of placing organizers in Los Angeles, California, and other cities, to offset the efforts of the Manufacturers' Associations which were, and are now, endeavoring to disrupt the labor organizations, $7,787.02.

In the fund created by the one-cent assessment levied by the Executive Council in accordance with the recommendation of the last Convention to be used for the legal defense of the officers and members of the American Federation of Labor, in the injunction suit of the Buck Stove and Range Company, $4,607.13.

In the fund created by the moneys received in response to the appeal issued by the Executive Council to the local unions affiliated to the American Federation of Labor, for appropriations to be used for the legal defense of the officers and members of the American Federation of Labor in the injunction suit of the Buck Stove and Range Company, $3,406.64.

The total receipts from all sources are $207,655.23; the total expenses are $196,937.36; leaving a balance of receipts over expenses of $10,717.87.

The following is a summary of the receipts and expenses for twelve (12) months, ending September 30, 1908: