Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-11-09
COMPRESS RULE
IS THREATENED
Delegates to A. F. of L. Con-
vention Attack Veteran Presi-
dent as Too Conservative.
ASK FORMATION OF
BODY TO END WARS
Union Men Urge international
= Peace Society-Act on COL
orado Strike.

rule of Samuel GomperS IN TIE Amer
lean Federation of Labor was agaiI
seriously threatened today. The vet
eran head OF the organization will b,
severely criticised at the thirty-fourtf
session, which began a two weeks
session in this city today.
Delegates of the United Mine Work
ers, the largest single unit in the fed.
Grafton, with 100000 members repre-
scented: the Garment Workers and
other organizations, who are inclined
to radicallsm, openly declared thai
they believed the present control Of
the organization is far too conserva'
tive. While 1t is expected that Comp
ers and his associates in control will
be able TO retain their power 1t was
evident that there would be mucH
stormy discussion In the coming two
weeks of meetings.
The opposition is led by Duncan Nc
Donald, secretary -treaturer Of the
mine workers. and by the delegates
from that organization.
The formation of an international
society for the prevention OF war was
urged by the executive council in its
annual report to the convention.
! Convinced that the greatest burdens
of the European war are falling on
the shoulders of the toilers, the coun-
Gil declared:
"The working people. the masses
of the worlds population, can END
all wars II they but have the inde-
pendence to think and to give their
convictions reality by daring to do,
Wars will cease only when society Is
convinced that human life Is really
serious and when society establishes
agencies, International as well as
national, for the protecting lives"
The officers declared the council
favored some constructive plan
against the waging of war.
The great growth of the federation
was emphasized in the annual state
ment of Secretary Frank MORRISON.
ported 62,8S2 laborers have joined.
making the total membership over
two millions. In twenty-five States
and Porto Rico 225 charters were
issued to new branches There was
a balance of $102, 1921 in the treas
ury at the close of the year,
Secretary Morrison declared that as
result of 957 strikes conditions for
1880 workers were materially i'm
proved. The total cost of the strikes.
counting the 5000 raised by unions
for the assistance of strikers,
amounted to s4.389,5l0.
The annual report was replete with
recommendations regarding and Sc
we're COMBINATIONS of "feudal condi-
tons in Colorado, Virginia and
Michigan. It's suggestions even ex-
| tended to the recommendation to
Congress that the United States pur-
chase Thomas Jefferson's homestead,
| Monticello" and George Washing
toms home at Mount Vernon.
Discussing conditions IN Colorado
| the report said:
"All the organized agencies Of the
State were subservient to the COR
porations. The laws of the State re-
| garding miners were broken with
cynical disregard. Civil authority in
| Colorado broke down under the con-
! test that ensued. The state militia
was put at the service of the coal
companies. Brutality, coercion and
bloodshed followed.
president Wilson in his letter
transmitting the plan of settlement
stated that the duration of the Col
orado strike, its many stages and
possibilities had made it of national
Importance. Yet as there was no in
| dication of purpose to reach an adj
| justment of differences it is now
necessary to determine whether or
not the President was justified in
using the army Of the United States
| Indefinitely for police purposes. This
is the issue which ultimately reverts
| to the nation. 1t involves the larger
| issue OF whether despotism shall be
| permitted to exist under the guise OF
| industry. We hope for the ultimate
success Of the miners OF Colorado
Pointing out the great loss Of life
destruction of property and suffering
brought on by the European war, the
report declares;
For years peace societies and or
ganizations have presented argument
for peace. They have adopted peac
resolutions and have declared 10
various international sentiments, bu
they have made little effort to Civ
these visions reality in the organi
cations of society and the relation
among nations. But this war ha
shown that war cannot put an end 4
itself.
I'm addition to establishing a senti
ment and conviction for peace, Their
must be agencies established for tn
maintenance of peaceful relation
among nations and for dealing wit
International issues. Militarism an
competitive ornaments must b.
abolished and tribunals for awardin
justice and agencies for enforcin
determinations must be instituted. In
ternational interests and issues exist
Political institutions have been estah
lished corresponding to politics
preferment."
The annual report also contains
number of special reports OF inyestI
gators. w. d. Mahon and L. I
Bland, of Detroit, who were ser
abroad to study labor condition
among employees OF the municipal
owned railways and railroads, re
ported on conditions in Germany
France. Switzerland and Italy The
said their investigations showed tina
whatever benefits foreign workers en-
joyed resulted from activities Of tn
trade unions.
Two full sets OF delegates, eac
claiming that II properly representa-
the United Garment Workers @
America, clamored for admission (
the convention here today. Fac
delegation insisted that II was tn
true representative Of the carmen
workers. Their rival claim was tn
first question to be settled by the fed
Grafton. One faction of the carmen
workers representatives is headed b
cid general officers OF the union. TIL
other Is headed by new officers elect
ed by a rump convention held 1
, Nashville, Tenn, October 12 Sidne
Hillman. insurgent garment worker
, leader, charges the old faction hel
,, itself in office by DISTINGUISHING &C, OF
, of the 100000 garment workers b
: trickery.
Another trouble in store for til
federation was claim OF the Inter
national Union Of Machinists ths
the Elevator Constructors Union ha
/ ercroached upon the formers field {