Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-11-09
american Federation Be-
oins Its 34th Conven-
ton at Philadelphia.
DELEGATES IN PARADE
r,ecutive Council Reports Com
ment on Helpful LegiSIa-
Iative, European War.

Philadelphia, Pa. Nov 9.-The 34th
,-,uaI convention of the American
gsasration OF Labor opened today to
,o-,iaue two weeks. There was q
..or street parade. in which nearly
4 The delegates participated. The
" Of Philadelphia appropriated
gsce0 10 assist in defraying the ex-
,s-sss OF the convention and in en-
,s-tzlning the delegates Jurisdic-
a5.sI fights are likely TO take up some
a-s Of the convention. The status OF
susrican employees in the Panama
ss-al zone will be discussed. The
uost Important contest over seating OF
.slsEztes is that in the United Gar
-s-t Workers Of America Two sets
Z delegates are applying to be seated
he convention decided to seat
nnss elected by the regular orgaliza-
ocu Of the United Garment Workers
= America. Delegates seated are
Eozas Rickert. general president.
nd Bernard Larger. general secre-
ny
Prououncing the passage of the
Clayton trust bill as organized labOr's
-sztsst single accomplishment for
ns last year. the executive council OF
-ss-ssseration presented its annual
report The voluminous document
,oTe-s every question which has af-
ietsd labor during the year. includ-
n the European war
OF the Clayton bill the councils
statement says that it contains the
rost fundamental, the most compre-
hs,siTe enunciation OF industrial free
don found in any legislative act in
iAs history OF the world" and that II
vas obtained through the organized
seo-Omic power" represented by the
workers Of the United States.
Discussing economic organization
is the keynote OF the federation's
iAo1ght and effort. the council ex-
prssssd pride in the report of progress
tznsmitted "at a time when most Of
ne civilized countries are submerged
y worldwide war" while in the
Urited States "on every hand the
Vorkers are insisting upon the main
is.aaee Of organization and resistance
. deterioration Of present working
so1oitions-" "Organized labor" IL
ADDS, has assisted the efforts to miti-
zais the Industrial disorganization and
nsses entailed by the European war"
Men Military Pawns.
Before the war" IL continues. the
aought and effort Of civilization were
eeatsred upon the development and
sofl1eation OF human life. One life
.ss counted Of infinite value. But
snee the cataclysm that brought war
0etEesr the nations men are treated
ny as military pawns. Things are
s41eo for their life-destroying power.
s.as are worth more than men"
me war IS said 10 be the product
= artificial conditions and policies
-le repugnant thought and political
..Osfess OF the age; but so far we
ave made little progress in providing
-ssacies for organizing international
.s-Snons \ 70 maintain peace and jus
&C The war has shown that war
.Salot be stopped by resolutions and I,
r. r. var cannot put an end to itself I
l ~ VIII cease only when society is f.
that human life is really I
-eIeo and when society establishes I
selcles International as well as ma !
.-@i Tor protecting lives"
summing up steps that may be TAX /
: loTard the abolition OF war. the |
sporf continues:
1-ihtarfsm and competitive arma- /
al must be abolished and tribunals /
awarding justice and agencies for I
.-,.o'eing determinations must be in
--a'ed- International interests and I
exist Political institutions /
.1..o ~. be established corresponding 10 |
1Neesl Developments. Those most /