Evening star., 1916-02-27
WORLDWIDE TOPICS
BEFORE A.F.L. MEN
Labor'S Executive Council, at
Session Here, Speaks for
Porto Rican Welfare.
PROPOSES FINANCIAL AID
FOR BELGIAN TRAINMEN
Promises to Meet Request Made by
Workmen's Federation of
North Of France.


organized labor were taken up yester-
day afternoon at the meeting Of the ex-
ecutive council Of the American Fedora
tion Of Labor, in quarterly session at
the Ouray building. Among the most
important Of these were the indorse-
ment of the position of organized labor
Of Porto Rico. requesting an investi-
CATION by the United States of the
economic and social conditions Of the
island before any steps are taken to
formulate new government for Porto
Rico; decision to take up with the
the railway workers of Belgium for
financial assistance, and an announce
ment that the federation will do what
It can financially to assist the Work.
mems Federation of the North of
France, in accordance with a request
made. IL
Outlines Work Of Council.
In statement given out last night.
outlining some Of the work of the ex-
ecutive council. 1t is said, in part:
1.-The executive council of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor approved and
indorsed the position of the organized
labor movement of Porto Rico. that the
Congress of the United States ought to
have made federal investigation of
economic and social conditions on the
island before taking any steps to for
mulate a new organic act for the gov
ernment of the people of Porto Rico.
No government for the island can be
effective that is not based upon cor
rect information of social and economic
conditions existing on the island ahd
which does not take into account the
people of Porto Rico. The ultimate
purpose Of government Is the welfare
Of the people. That purpose cannot be
achieved in Porto Rico or any other
derstanding of the needs, difficulties,
ideals and the spirit Of the people to be
governed. The executive council di-
rected that steps be taken to urge upon
Congress the wisdom of the demands Of
the people of Porto Rico.
Indorse Oregon Measure.
"The executive council Endorsed the
Oregon peoples land and loan measure,
which was proposed in initiative by
the organized labor movement of Ore
gon. The purpose of this legislation is
to enable the citizens of Oregon to free
themselves from economic oppression
resulting from land monopoly and land
speculation. 1t combines the principle
of public ownership of all land rent,
with provisions for state aid:
vent the transportation of strike break
ers by interstate carriers. the executive
council decided to defer Endorsement
Of that measure until further investi-
cation should enable them to determine
the Industrial evils arising from strike
breaking agencies.
The National Trades Association of
New York city requested the coop
Grafton and support of the American
1F Iah In R-h
against the Stephens bill; that is, a
bill to protect the public against dis
honest advertising and false pretenses
In Merchandising The matter was re-
vestigation and report to the executive
committee.
Study Unemployment.
"By authority of the San Francisco
convention a special committee was ap-
pointed to make a thorough study and
investigation of unemployment and va
grancy laws, as eventually 1t will fall
Of Labor to prevent the results which
the wage eafners. as part of the citi-
zenship of the country. have to suffer
during panic periods or industrial de-
pressions, and that. therefore, it be-
comes the duty Of the American FEEDER
alton of Labor to advocate a construc-
tive program. The committee has be-
gun its work, and it is anticipated that
the executive council will be prepared
to make a comprehensive report upon
this subject to the next convention.
A proposition was submitted to the
executive council for the establish
ment Of bureau of investigation and
machinery Of the American Federation
Of Labor in it's legislative and
economic activities. BY reason Of the
lack of the necessary funds with which
to conduct the suggested branch Of
work. the executive council deem
ed the proposition inexpedient: Similar
osition for an economic counselor Of
the American Federation of Labor.
"President Gompers reported to the
executive council that during the
Visit to Washington Of the fraternal
delegates from the British Trade Union
Congress to the San Francisco con-
Labor, he took them on tour Of In
spection of the construction work on
the American Federation Of Labor Of
dee building. They stated that they
were in hopes of persuading organized
Io tor in ENGLAND to c0ntrfhute n