Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-11-12
FEDERATION HITS
LOBBY IN CAPITAL
Seattle Convention Hears Re-
port of Committee Review
ing Mulhall Expose.

yention began here The recent con-
gressional lobby investigation and
! the charges Of NJ. NJ. Mulhan against
/ the National Association of Manufac-
turers formed the basis of the at
tack
The report was signed by all officers
of the federation who compose the
executive council. II dealt exhaustive
" with all phases of labor conditions
in the United States and the insular
possessions, but made only an Incl
dental reference TO the new federal
industrial relations commission and
board of mediation and cancellation.
The report was not read, but a copy
was furnished to each delegate.
The reference to the National Assoc
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 detail regarding the activity of
what is termed the invisible govern
ment." 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
now fattening upon civilization. The
officials of that organization have not
denied their official signatures to any
communication offered in evidence.
They have not denied that they paid
their lobbyists large salaries and hon
ored 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 con-
gress and frequented the rooms OF
its members to prevent legislation in
behalf of labor. The National Associa-
ton through its overreaching. greed
for power and pelf, now stands alb
solutely discredited before congress
and the nation. Its influence for evil
has been materially reduced"
The report charged that only a linn
tied number of copies of the lobby
hearings have been printed and ex-
pressed the hope that the convention
would call upon congress to supply
more that they might be distributed
and the knowledge of the alleged con
spiracy of the manufacturers be wide
ly disseminated"
Reference TO the lobby investiga-
ton concludes: Now that the exist
ence Of the invisible government. the
stronghold of organized dollars. has
been established beyond doubt or ques- !
ton, now that its methods, purposes ,
and agents have been revealed TO the I
public. those who have at heart the .
interests Of humanity and the mainte- /
nance OF a democratic form OF gov
are able TO attack the prob /
Dlem with the wisdom of experience I
and knowledge.
The early opening of the Panama /
canal was made the occasion TO de- /
clare for great immigration restric- +
ton through national legislation. Eas-
Ter access TO the Pacific coast, the 4
report says, forces a duty upon the 4
workers in western states to serious
~ consider the new problem OF for
eign migrant labor. The failure Of 4
legislation in recent con-
crosses was deplored
In connection with the work of the
department of labor the report de-
,lares in favor Of the establishment
n a bureau OF labor safety 10 look
ifter the safety of workingmen and n
he announcement of safety devices Il
museum of safety, il was declared, Il
would be OF great assistance in pro-
noting these various purposes"
Only brief comment was made in
he report on the contempt of court
entencss pending against President
iompers. Vice President Mitchell and
Morrison. A review OF the
ase was given but, aside from de-
laring that the opinion OF the dis.
riot court of appeals did not give a
ocision TO the fundamental issues
pom which organized labor had been
skiing a judicial ruling" the report
efrsins from comment on the courts
ndings
Urgent need for the solution of the
roblem of the unemployed was
rought to the attention of the con
ention. Sympathy with their condi- (
ion was expressed and the belief was
DICED that the unemployed might be
sed in road construction which auto
lobile travel is making daily OF great
r importance. Legislation TO that
nd was urged.
Because OF the international and Il
'orld-wide trend in the organization L
Z labor, the report stated the Fedora
on was heartily in sympathy with
Movements 10 bring about lasting in
irrational peace.
Labor organizations the world z
YER" says the report, have COM
lifted themselves to the policy of K
ternational peace-peace with honor K
I'd Justice in international politics Il
5 well as industry. All national Il
and political issues are in Is
cited with world interest"
In conclusion the report urged the +
slegates TO give earnest consideration T.
the recommendations made for x
.medial legislation, among others: =
] eight-hour work day, Injunction +
IMITATION. seamen's legislation. work r.
gmen's compensation. federal bureau Il
health, safety appliances. arbitra- n
on and automatic stop systems on Is
always
The first business before the fedora
on today was the report of delegates
the British union congress Secre- :
~ OF Labor William b. Wilson ad- r