DEFENSE FUND.

It is gratifying to notice the gradual increase of the Defense Fund since its inaugura tion in 1902, as follows:

.$105,282 09

Balance on hand September 30, 1908.... The following is an itemized statement of amounts received from and paid to our Local Unions giving average membership, number of weeks' benefit, and the amount received by each organization:

RECEIPTS.

Receipts.......

.$14,327 20

EXPENSES.

Cigar Factory Tobacco Strippers, No. 8156, Boston, Mass...
Meter Makers No. 11250, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Clay Miners, No. 8503, St. Louis, Mo..

Average membership. 117

44+

74

8

2,368 00

Rubber Workers, No. 12420, Lambertville, New Jersey.
J. & S. Case Makers, No. 10448, New York City.

Moccasin & Moccasin Slipper Workers, No. 12283, Bangor Me.
United Neckwear Cutters, No. 6939, New York City, N. Y...

There are now 58 labels and ten cards issued by the following organizations, which have been indorsed by the American Federation of Labor:

The following crafts and callings are using the American Federation of Labor label: Badge and Lodge Paraphernalia Workers, Bottlers (Soda and Mineral Water), Coffee, Spice and Powder Workers, Nail (Horseshoe) Workers, Neckwear Cutters and Makers, Button Workers, Paper Box Makers, Suspender Makers, Garter, Arm Band and Hose Supporter Makers.

PAID UP MEMBERSHIP.

Notwithstanding trade disputes and the determined effort made by antagonistic associations to prevent the organization of workers, the average paid-up membership of the American Federation of Labor has increased 47,915, and I believe with the enactment of remedial legislation and the efforts which the Federation will be able to put forth during the coming year, that a still more pronounced increase will be shown at its close.

1897

The following is the average paid up membership for the past twelve years:

1898

1899

1900

1901

1902

1903

1904

1905

1906

1907

1908

LABOR REPRESENTATION COMMITTEE.

Three appeals were issued to the local unions for funds to assist the Labor Representation Committee to carry out the American Federation of Labor political program. The officers of the local unions were directed to forward the appropriations to the Secretary of the American Federation of Labor. Full and complete report of the amounts received and disposition of same will be made to the Executive Council, and an itemized statement of the receipts and expenses will be printed and mailed to all unions and individuals who have contributed, secretaries of international organizations, and to any others desiring a copy, upon application for same.

LABOR PRESS.

Too much can not be said in favor of the labor press of this country. Just before concluding my report I desire to pay a tribute to the yeoman service performed for the labor movement by the labor papers of this country, particularly the weekly papers endorsed by the Central and State Bodies. Through them the representatives of organized labor have been enabled to express their views on all questions of interest to the membership. Notwithstanding the efforts that have been made to divert their attention from questions of the gravest importance to the general movement, they have remained faithful and have "hewed to the line, allowing the chips to fall where they may."

With such a record it is not surprising that the efforts of labor editors are becoming more and more appreciated by the great membership of organized labor, and the desire to assist, in every way possible, the success of the bona fide labor papers has materially increased during the past few years.

CORRECTION.

I desire to rectify an error which exists in the printed proceedings of the Norfolk Convention, in the report of the roll call vote on the appeal from the decision of Chairman O'Connell, taken by Delegate T. L. Lewis, on the resolution introduced by the latter, while the case of the Flint Glass Workers was under discussion. The names of Delegate John J. Manning, of the Laundry Workers (31 votes), and Delegate James P. Archibald, of the Painters (124 votes), should appear in the list of those voting to sustain the decision of the Chair.

The votes of the two delegates named were included in the total of the "AYE" vote, 6,881, as printed on page 323 of the proceedings. The error is in the omission of their names from the list of those voting "AYE."

A verified analysis of this vote shows the following results: IN FAVOR of the decision of Chairman O'Connell.

AGAINST the decision of Chairman O'Connell.

NOT VOTING....

.....

Total vote of the Norfolk Convention.

6,880

6,742

.1,294

.14,916

I therefore recommend that the Secretary be authorized to make a note in the preeeedings of this Convention in regard to the omission of these names, in order that there may be a record of the correction.

In addition I might add that it was not until within the last few weeks that the omission mentioned above was brought to my attention. President Rowe in his report to the American Flint Glass Workers' Convention called attention to the vote, and it was as a result of this that it reached me. I immediately made a careful analysis of the vote and discovered that while the number of "AYE" votes cast and reported to the Convention was correct, the two names mentioned above were omitted. I met Mr. Manning and called his attention to the error. It was my intention to formally write to both delegates relative to the omission, but in the meantime received communications from them in regard to same as follows:

"MR. FRANK MORRISON, Secretary,

American Federation of Labor,

"TROY, N. Y., October 18, 1908.

423-425 G street, Washington, D. C.

DEAR SIR AND BROTHER: In looking through the proceedings of the Convention of the American Federation of Labor held at Norfolk, Va., last year, page 323, I rute that my name has been omitted from the list published as voting to sustain the decision of President Pro Tem O'Connell, when this decision was appealed from by Delegate Lewis, of the United Mine Workers. "As I voted to sustain the decision of Brother O'Connell, I desire, if it is possible, that something be done before or during the coming Convention to correct this error. "Trusting this matter will receive your early consideration, I am, with kindest regards and best wishes, fraternally yours, "JOHN J. MANNING,

"MR. FRANK MORRISON,

Secretary, American Federation of Labor,

"NEW YORK CITY, October 24, 1908.

423 G street N. W., Washington, D. C.

"MY DEAR MORRISON: Brother James Dunn, of the Glass Bottle Blowers' Association of America, has just done me the honor of calling upon me, and in the course of conversation about things in general I was surprised to learn that some doubt was shed upon the manner in which the vote of the Brotherhood of Painters was cast, sustaining the decision of VicePresident O'Connell in the matter of the contest between the American Flint Glass Workers' Union and the Glass Bottle Blowers' Association, at Norfolk Convention of the A. F. of L.

"I wish to say most positively that I was present, and out of my own mouth cast the vote which I was entitled to cast as the representative of the Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators and Paper Hangers of America.

"Should it be necessary, I am prepared to make affidavit to the above effect.

With the termination of this year I have served as Secretary of the American Federation of Labor for twelve years. During that time I have had the gratification of watching the American Federation of Labor add 1,322,060 members to its grand total. To be an officer of an organization during the period of such great success is in itself something to be ever remembered with the keenest of appreciation, and, under its stimulating influence, I desire at this particular time to extend to the delegates here assembled, to the officers and members of affiliated unions, and the organizers of the Federation, my sincerest appreciation of their services anu assistance during the past year, and more particularly for their prompt response to the requests made to them for information to enable me to carry on the work of the office in a satisfactory manner. I desire to thank my colleagues of the Executive Council for their earnest and valuable assistance which has enabled me to more readily meet the increasing duties devolving upon the Secretary of the Federation.

Respectfully submitted,

FRANK MORRISON,
Secretary American Federation of Labor.

TREASURER LENNON'S REPORT.

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

GREETING: For a period of eighteen years I have been each year reporting to the Conventions of the A. F. of L. as its Treasurer. During that considerable period of time the trade union movement has encountered many obstacles, and in a large measure overcome them. The calamity howlers have always been in our midst, pointing out the near dissolution of the trade union movement. But in spite of all opposition, both from within and from without, and despite all discouragements offered, the trade union movement has steadily made progress. Improved conditions have been secured. Wages have been advanced. The intelligence of the workers has made wonderful progress, and the solidarity of our movement is greater now than at any time in the past history of organized labor on this continent. With this knowledge before us, there should be no gloom or discouragement as to the future. Obstacles will be met, but the trade union will meet them successfully. The pessimists, I suppose, will always remain with us; but their lamentations will not be sufficiently potent to retard the progress of organized labor. To the officers of the Federation, the officers of the national and international unions, and to the thousands of members of the local unions whom I have met during the past year, I want to extend to them, one and all, my regards, my appreciation of their kindness and consideration, and extend to them, one and all, my very best wishes for their individual well-being in the years which are to come. I herewith submit a statement of the income and expenses of the Federation for the year ending October 1, 1908:

Total funds handled during my incumbency as Treasurer, $1,782,943.19.

Bloomington, Ill., October 1, 1908.

$333,565 25 196,937 36

$136,627 89

$20.890 65

30,000 00

10,000 00

10,000 00

15,737 24

25,000 00

25,000 00

$136.627 89

2,000 00 $138,627 89