The daily commonwealth. (Greenwood, Leflore Co., Miss.) 1916-1919, 1916-11-13
OF
LABOR MEETS
CONTINUED from Page One)

peals for the Eighth Circuit has en-
deavored to elude the purposes OF tn
| Clayton Antitrust Act and to discred
it it. The decision Of the court is IL
conflict with the laws of the land, IL
at variance with the ethical concepts
and standards of the citizens OF thu
United States and with the facts Of
life and work. It is a dangedous con
ditisn in our Republic when judges
who exercise discretionary and almost
wholly responsibility power can sus'
pend the laws of the land and rule
contrary to the wishes and judgment
of citizens.
Speaking of the eight hour day Law
passed by Congress to avert the re-
Gently threatened railroad strike the
report says, "For nearly a century the
labor movement of America has con.
Quoted a campaign for the establish.
ment of a maximum eight hour work
day." and characterizes the legisla-
ton by Congress as "a notable move.
ment". 1t says the eight hour day
was established "as a primary step
in conserving the lives and the work
ing power of wage-earners."
In taking the position that the prin-
ciple of the eight hour day should be
conceded as a right that ought not be
arbitrated, the report says, "Neither
President Wilson nor the railway
brotherhoods rejected the principal of
arbitration as to the railroad presi-
dents have wrongfully claimed. Those
matters are abitrable which concern
property and property rights"
Discussing President Wilson's pro-
posals for legislation the report says
an essential feature was the creation
Of compulsory governmental institu-
tons to regulate industrial relations
imam occupation not owned or operat-
ed by the government itself. 1t is a
revolutionary proposition totally out
of harmony with u prevailing insti-
buttons and out Of harmony with out
philosophy of government"
"The wage earners Of the United
States will oppose any proposition to
impose on them compulsory institu-
lions which disguise involuntary SER
vitude. They hold that the principle
involved in voluntary institutions is
het key to personal and industrial
freedom and that this principle is of
more Importance to them than any
other consideration. Involuntary and
compulsory labor once enforced even
for a single hour, will not halt at its
temporary endorsements but will go
on and become permanent"
A splendid record Of achievement"
in legislation through activities of the
Federation by positive participation
in politice for the purpose Of securing
the election of those in favor of the
aims of the labor movement and the
defeat Of those who had demonstrated
their hostility to the case Of labor"
is set forth in detail.
In connection with proposed voca-
tional education legislation the report
recommends that any Board created
to administer such a law be non-parti-
san in character and represent agri-
culture, labor, commerce, industry and
education and that it not be permitted
to become a more political adjunct
of the party in power"
The right of labor to participation
in matters affecting it is insisted upon
with the statement: "the basis for
representation and participation in the
affairs of organized society is man,
not property. T%heworkers the mass
es Of the people, therefore, have a
right to participate and will insist
upon this participation in the deter
mination and control Of all that con-
Germs their lives and the lives of gen.
erations to come"
Objection to government censorship
of moving pictures is registered on
the ground that it would interfere
with proper freedom Of expression and
action and the rank of the Federation
is asked to support this view.
The opposition of the organization
to compulsory social insurance is de-
as requiring something to be
done for workers without consulting
them, which would prevent workers
doing these things for themselves and
their own institutions,
contributions to help the Danburry
Hatters pay the damages to D. E,
Loewe and Company in connection
the successful antitrust su;t
against their organization were an.
bounced at 1887
Special efforts have been directed
o the organization Of women workers
Ind attention has been paid to organ.
cations Of boys and girls to train
hem in the fundamentals Of unionism.
-O---
RUGS - RUGS - RUGS