The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-11-11
Federation of Labor Off
cials Employ 1t in Report
to Annual Convention
HARSH WORDS
ARE EMPLOYED
Invisible Government of
Organized Dollars Scored
in Sharp Terms

ment by organized dollars" was scored
in the report of the executive council OF
the American federation of labor TO the
thirty third annual convention which be-
gan here to-day. The recent congress
sional lobby investigation and the
charges OF M. NJ. Mulhall against the
National assochsti.~n OF manufacturers
| formed the basis of the attack.
| The report was signed by all officers
of the federation who compose the eV.
ecutive council. If dealt extensively
with all phases of labor conditions in the
! United States and the insular posses
sions but made only an incidental ref
erence to the new federal industrial re-
lations commission and board of media
! ton and Cancellation. The report was
not read but copy was furnished to
each delegate.
The reference to the national asso-
citation of manufacturers was the long
est in the report. A review of testi
mony before the Senate and House lobby
Investigations was given, going into de-
tail regarding the activity of what is
termed the invisible government" as
embodied in the national association of
manufacturers.
Concerning the national association
of manufacturers the report said:
1T has been shown to be the worst
group OF selfish, mercernary interests
now fattening upon civilization. The Of
ficials of that organization have not de-
MED their official signatures to any
communication offered in evidence. They
have not denied that they paid their
lobbyists large salaries had honored
immense expense accounts, They have
not denied that they attempted to break
strikes and that their agents went to
and fro in the halls of congress and fire.
uuented the rooms of its members to
prevent legislation in behalf of labor.
The national association through its
oyerreaching greed for power and pelf,
now stands absolutely discredited before
congress and the nation. Its influence
for evil has been materially reduced.
The report charged that only limited
number of copies of the lobby hearings
have been printed and expressed the
hope that the convention would call upon
congress to supply more that they might
be distributed and the knowledge OF the
alleged conspiracy of the manufactur
ers be widely disseminated
Reference TO the lobby investigation
concludes: Now that the existence of
the invisible government, the stronghold
OF organized dollars, has been estab-
lished beyond doubt or question, now
that its methods, purposes and agents
have been revealed to the public, those
who have at heart the interests of hu
manty and the maintenance OF Demo-
cratic form of government, are able to
attack the problem with the wisdom of
experience and knowledge"
The early opening of the Panama
canal was made the occasion to declare
for greater immigration restriction
through national legislation. Easier ac
cess to the Pacific coast, the report says,
forces a Gdty upon the workers in
western states to seriously consider the
new problem of foreign immigrant
labor. The failure of remedial legisla-
tion in recent congresses was deplored.
In connection with the work of the
of labor the report, declares
in favor of the establishment of bureau
of labor safety to look after the safety |
of workingmen and the encouragement |
of safety devices, museums of safety, it |
was declared, would be of great as
sistance in promoting these various pur-
poses"
Only brief comment was made in the |
report on the contempt of court sent
ences pending against President Com |
pers, Vice President Mitchell and Secre- /
tary Morrison. A review of the case
was given but, aside from declaring that |
the 'opinion ofrthe District court of APP
peals did not give a decision to the fun !
damental issues upon which organized |
labor had been asking judicial ruling"
the report refrains from comment on
the courts findings.
Urgent need for the solution of the ,
problem of the unemployed was brought |
to the attention of the convention Sym |
pathy with their conditions was express
ed and the belief was voiced that the |
might be used in road con-
struction which automobile travel is
making daily of greater Importance.
Legislation to that end was urged
Because of the international and |
worldwide trend in the organization of
labor, the report stated the federation
was heartily in sympathy with move.
ments to bring about lasting interna
.ional peace.
Labor organizations the world over"
says the report, "have committed them
selves to the policy of international
with honor and justice in
nternat iSnal politics as well as indus
ry. All national economic and political
ssues are infected with world inter
ST."
In conclusion the report urged the del
gates to give earnest consideration to
lie recommendations made for remedial
egislation. among Others; an eight hour
work day, injunction limitation, sea.
mems legislation Workingmen's com
,ensation, federal bureau of health,
afety appliances, arbitration and auto.
matte stop systems on railways.
SENATOR CUMMINS SNowBoUND.