Owing to the fact that the Constitution only went into effect
on March ist I found myself in a peculiar predicament, charged
with the duty of immediately after the convention entering
upon the duties of the office of president, and devoting my efforts
to the Federation. There was no money in the treasury to buy
stationery, pay salary or publish the official journal, the pay-
ments of organizations having mostly been made during the
latter part of the year. I, however, set to work in the best way
possible under the circumstances.
In June last I issued the official journal which per resolution
of the Executive Council was named the Union Advocate. As
its editor I have studiously avoided the publication of objec-
tionable matter, and while there has been no attempt at ele-
gance, I have endeavored to make it what the Constitution calls
for and its name signifies, an advocate of trades unions.
It would be obviously unjust were I to close this report with-
out mentioning the fact that being placed in the position above
indicated, Cigarmakers' Union No. 144, of New York city,
cheerfully assisted me by giving me an office in their establish-
ment for the whole year free of charge, and placing all their
facilities at my disposal. — From annual report to A. F. 0} L.
convention, Baltimore, Md., December, 1887.
