leged libelous article which he published in his labor paper. The matter has been appealed to the United States Supreme Court and the firm of Ralston & Siddons has filed an appeal.

The Porto Rico State Federation of Labor says that it will "try to jointly bear the expense involved in appealing the case to the United States Supreme Court," That organization has forwarded the necessary amount for the fee that is required to file the case. We have referred this matter to President Gompers to give such advice and counsel as he can.

UNIFORM LAWS ΤΟ PROTECT
HUMAN LIFE.

As we reported to you at the Norfolk convention, in conformity with the instructions given by the Minneapolis convention, we have endeavored to collect from every available source information relative to uniform laws to protect human life in various lines of industry. The Norfolk convention directed that our efforts along these lines should be continued. However, notwithstanding our best efforts, but little if any additional information has been forthcoming, and the matter is therefore submitted to you for such further action as you may deem advisable to take in the premises.

LABEL CONFERENCE.

In conformity with the resolution adopted by the Norfolk convention authorizing the call of a conference of five members representing the label organizations, President Gompers selected the following organizations to select representatives to that conference:

Boot and Shoe Workers' Union.
United Hatters of North America.
United Garment Workers of America.
International Typographical Union,
and the

Cigarmakers' International Union of
America.

The representatives of these organizations held two meetings at the headquarters in Washington. Full reports of this committee are published in the March and August issues of the American Federationist. Briefly stated, the reports of the committee recommended that in view of the recent court decisions a circular be issued to all affiliated International unions, State Federations,

Central Bodies and the labor press, urging that greater attention be paid to the work of creating a demand for union labor and union labeled products. It was also decided to authorize the issuance of a Union Label Law Digest, covering the laws and court decisions, for the protection of the union labels, and also the basis upon which suits may be instituted before the courts for the protection of the rights of the organizations in their respective union labels.

It was further decided that the various affiliated organizations having labels be requested to donate certain sums for the purpose of carrying on the necessary work. Various label organizations having labels have been communicated with and requested to make such donations. Sufficient money has already been received at the office for this purpose to guarantee the carrying out of this work. We are still in communication with sev eral of the organizations relative to their making a donation for this purpose.

The conference clearly demonstrated one thing; that is, the adoption of a universal label at this time or in the near future is entirely out of the question. It will be necessary to advance gradually toward the methods for a comprehensive, universal agitation the union label in which all unions must bear their proportionate share of the expense involved. Some advance has been gained and unquestionably more 'will be as it progresses.

of

OREGON TEN-HOUR LAW FOR WOMEN DECLARED CONSTITUTIONAL. Upon the subject-matter of Resolution No. 173, referring to the appeal to the Supreme Court as to the constitutionality of the Oregon ten-hour law for women, we desire to report that this matter has been carried before the United States Supreme Court, which has decided this law to be constitutional.

ANTI-TUBERCULOSIS CRUSADE.

As per your instructions and the humane purposes of our movement, we have continued our efforts among the workers and among the people generally to help in the movement to stamp out the awful white plague, so destructive to our people. We have continued the distribution of the circular containing the charts declared for by the Pittsburg convention, and with our unions aided in

the general dissemination of correct information to prevent and help in the eradication of that terrific and malignant malady.

To our unions must be given the credit of doing the most important work in connection with this subject when they undertake to attain a higher standard of life, a shorter work day, better labor conditions while at work, better homes, higher surroundings. Before these effective agencies the dreaded white plague flees.

You are aware that quite recently there was held at Washington, D. C., a great and important international conference of scientists and specialists for the consideration of the subject of tuberculosis, and how best national and international action may be taken to arrest and prevent consumption.

The International Typographical Union had a splendid exhibit of its efforts in this direction for its members. Other organizations did measurably well in this direction. One whole session of the congress was devoted to representatives of labor, presenting labor's attitude and action upon this important subject. President Gompers and Vice-President Mitchell addressed the congress, the latter presiding over the gathering.

We recommend that distribution of our printed matter upon this subject be continued, and that our fellow unionists and friends continue to devote their attention to the stamping out of this terrible and preventible disease.

INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION. Resolution No. 147, dealing with the subject of industrial education, which was adopted at the Norfolk Convention, was referred to the Executive Council for consideration.

Correspondence was entered into with a number of persons interested in and fully conversant with this subject, among them being Mr. Graham Taylor, of Chicago, Ill.; Prof. C. R. Richards, of Columbia University, New York City; Mr. Chas. H. Morse and Mr. Chas. Winslow of the Board of Industrial Education of Massachusetts; Miss Jane Addams, and Miss Mary McDowell of Chicago, and Mr. Luke Grant of Chicago.

Correspondence with the above mentioned is of considerable length and space will not permit its publication in this report. However, we find that

schools for industrial education have been established in the following cities and states:

Two in California, located in San Francisco; three in Illinois, located in Chicago; one in Indianapolis, Ind., and nine in Massachusetts, as follows-Trade School for Girls, The Lowell Institute for Industrial Foremen in Boston, Technical High School in Springfield, Textile Schools in New Bedford and Fall River, Mass., Industrial Evening School in Beverly, Cambridge, New Bedford and Waltham, Mass.; four schools located in New York City, one of them being a trade school for girls; three in Pennsylvania, located at Philadelphia, Williamson, and East Pittsburg; one school of trades in Milwaukee, Wis., and a training school in Menomonie, Wis.

These schools take up the industrial education in the following industries: Textile, wood working, machinists, blacksmithing, the electrical workers, carpentering and joining, painting, plastering, plumbing, pattern making, lithographing, iron moulding, graphic arts, mechanical and free hand drawing, modeling in clay, millinery, dressmaking and cooking.

Most of these schools are endowed, but in some few instances they receive appropriations from the various states. Literature giving details as to the instruction, equipment and classes of work performed is published, but perhaps the most complete and important document on this subject is the one published by the Massachusetts Commission of Industrial Education, Bulletin No. 9, which can be obtained from the secretary of that commission, whose address is 606 Ford Building, Boston, Mass.

The subject of industrial education is an important one, and one which should receive the attention particularly of those organizations of the trades above mentioned, and we commend to them a close and careful study of all and any literature that could be obtained upon this subject. This subject should receive further consideration at this convention. All the correspondence and papers bearing on the question should be turned over to a committee at this convention for report and further recommendations thereon.

LOS ANGELES.

The Norfolk convention directed that an effort be made to improve the labor conditions of Los Angeles and elsewhere, and authorized an assessment of one cent per

member on each of the affiliated organizations. This assessment was levied, which yielded $15,342.02. We have had two organizers nearly the entire year at Los Angeles, Messrs. Arthur A. Hay and William E. Terry. Headquarters were established and an assistant employed. Reports from Los Angeles indicate considerable improvement.

OLD AGE PENSIONS.

The subject-matter of Resolution No. 104 by the Norfolk convention, dealing with the subject-matter of old age pensions, was referred by the convention to the Executive Council with instructions to investigate and report to the next convention. The Executive Council in turn referred the matter to President Gompers for investigation and report. During our meeting at Washington he submitted the following report, which we incorporate herein as our report upon this subject to this convention:

"From the best available data of the most recent date I condense herewith the following conditions and regulations and annuities prevailing in Europe and Australasian countries:

AUSTRIA.

"Invalid pensions of at least $42.50 per year for men and $21.25 per year for women, and widows' and orphans' pensions to the amount of three-quarters of the invalid pension rate are paid and the fund is maintained for paying these pensions by equal contributions of employers and employes. This only applies for employes in mines, for whom such insurance is compulsory, and it is administered through miners' relief funds.

BELGIUM.

"Since the year 1850 the question of old age insurance and pensions has been made a matter of public discussion, but nothing very substantial has yet been accomplished. In 1891 the government paid a subsidy to be divided among certain recognized friendly societies, with a view to encouraging the affiliation of their members with the state savings banks. In 1898 there were 933 friendly societies, through which payments were made into the superannuation fund, the amount paid being $191,455. In that year the state granted $56,385 to this fund. In the year 1897 there were 3,000 old age pensioners, the average amount received

"In 1891 a special form of old-age relief was established in Denmark, which is granted to any applicant sixty years of age or over, without regard to occupation, who is unable to provide the necessaries of life and the proper treatment in case of sickness for himself or dependents; but the relief granted under this system is more of a charitable character than an insurance annuity; the recipient of relief must not be in poverty due to his own fault. He must, for a period of ten years, have had a fixed residence, and never been sentenced for vagrancy or begging, and never have received other poor relief.

"Up to 1899, 56,656 persons had drawn such relief, costing $1,264,260, of which equal amounts, or $632,130, were paid by the municipalities and by the state. Taking the average for three years, 1896, 1897, 1898, about one-fifth of the population of Denmark was over sixty years of age and entitled to old-age pensions. In 1899, the sum of $555,555 being rigidly fixed as the limit of the state grant and being insufficient to make up one-half of the sum required, an additional sum of $24,030 was voted by the state to make up the deficiency.

ICELAND.

"In 1890 a system of old age and invalidity pensions was put in operation under these terms: Annual contributions must be paid into the relief fund of the commune by all servants between twenty years of age and sixty, except those who are responsible for the maintenance of one or more persons who are unable to provide for themselves, and those unable to earn wages owing to sickness or other causes, and those who have made personal provision against the time when they will have reached the age of sixtyfive. The contribution amounts to twenty-seven cents per year for males and eight cents per year for females.

FRANCE.

"Compulsory insurance for old age exists in France for seamen and miners only, but the state undertakes the assur

ance of old-age pensions for all classes who care to make the necessary payments through a state institution known as the National Savings Bank of the Retreat for the Old, which provides a certain amount of assistance for old age for those who avail themselves of this pension. The people contribute the necessary funds themselves. The government superintends the investment and distribution.

"The compulsory insurance for seamen is controlled by state institutions, which receive the contributions of the insured and the subscriptions from the state. The invalid pensions are paid from the fiftieth year. In the case of the death of the seaman, the widow is entitled to one-half the annuity and the orphan or orphans to the other half.

"The miners' regulations are: Compulsory insurance for all miners receiving less than $460 per yearly earnings. The old-age pensions are paid from the fiftyfifth year, and the fund is paid in equal shares by the employers and the employes. The total amount of all pension funds paid by the friendly societies only in France at the end of 1895 was $23,050,690.

GERMANY.

"Old age insurance is compulsory in Germany. It is administered through listrict organizations and also through state organizations that cover employes on railways and in mines. The weekly contributions are paid half by the employer and half by the employe, and the state pays $12.50 per year to each annuity. And the state also pays the weekly conributions of workmen while they are serving the periods of conscription in the army or navy. The government also meets specified expenses of administration.

"The old age pensions are paid to persons 70 years of age and over, providing they have made contributions for 1,200 weeks. Government officials, teachers and soldiers are exempt from these weekly contributions. The old age pension is proportioned to the wages received, and varies from $15 to $45 per year, to which the state subsidy of $12.50 per year is added. The last figures attainable were for 1899. The expenditures during that year for old age pensions amount to $6,721,370, of which $4,148,190 was contributed by employers and employes, and $2,573,180 by the government.

ITALY.

"Old age insurance is voluntary for all wage workers, the premiums being paid by the insured and the state granting a subsidy. All working people may become members by paying not less than ten cents a year, and not to exceed $20 in any one year. Such member must declare whether he wishes his contributions to go to the common benefit of all members subscribing on mutual terms, or if he prefers that in case of his death before the closing of his account that the amount paid in by him up to the time of his death should be handed over to his family. The account of each member is closed after twenty-five years from his first payment, providing the sixtieth or sixty-fifth year of his age has been reached. When the account is closed, the sum standing to his credit is converted into an immediate life annuity in his favor. The state subsidy amounts to $2.00 per person per year.

NEW ZEALAND.

"The science of old age pensions has developed with greater exactitude in New Zealand more than in any other part of the world. It has captured the hearts of the people of New Zealand. It appeals to the kindliness of the people and their sense of justice, and is one of the most popular of all the progressive measures carried by the people who live in those islands. Of all the progressive economic and political measures adopted by the New Zealanders, such as graded taxation, government loans, land resumption, land value taxation, compulsory arbitration, there was none more bitterly contested than the old age pension act, but now that it is an established institution, the people as a whole endorse it as an institution. To quote from the law gives one a clearer conception of the ideas prevailing in the minds of the New Zealand people when they adopted it. The law says:

"Whereas, it is equitable that deserving persons who, during the prime of life, have helped to bear the public burdens of the colony by the payment of taxes, and to open up its resources by their labor and skill, should receive from the colony a pension in their old age: therefore, be it enacted," etc.

"Any citizen over sixty-five who has resided in the colony twenty-five years, of moderate good character, and not possessed of property amounting to more