The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1916-12-09

tcIIldtlOHdl UNION ana the American
Federation of Teachers, both of which
are now affiliated to the A. +. of L., ant
the appearance of the executives of the
four railroad brotherhoods, who ad.
dressed the convention.
Increasing opposition to strike injunc.
tions was recorded in the convention
declaration that these writs should
henceforth be ignored, "let the conse-
quences be what they may" The effect
of this decision is shown in the alarm
of newspapers at labor's so-called "de-
fiance of law" entirely ignoring the fact
that congress has outlawed these writs,
now issued by State judges, who would
deny constitutional guarantees.
The A. F. of l.. non-partisan political
policy was given hearty approval
Organized labor is urged to greater
activity in securing more proportionate
representation mot only in city
councils, State legislatures and in con-
gress, but also on every city, State and
federal commission that deals with pub
lie policies or matters of general con-
Germ"
The eight-hour day for all workers
was again ndorsed.
Because of the present eight-hour sit
uation on railroads, and the fact that
the Adamson law is now before the
courts, the convention took this action
on several resolutions calling for eight
hours by law "Wc pledge the unswerv-
ing determination of the American labor
movement to the eight-hour principle,
and in order to carry out this purpose
your committee recommends that the
foregoing resolutions be referred to d
special committee to be appointed by the
president of the American Federation
of Labor, with powers to confer with
representatives of the organized en-
ploycs Of the transportation companies
the committee to report to the exccu-
tive council of the A. +. of l.. at the
time and in the manner it deems advis.
able but at least four weeks before the
next annual convention Of the A. f.
of L."
Opposition to all forms of militarism
as part of physical training was re-
corded. 'Militarism," it was declared,
even in its less horrid manifestations,
brutalizes those influenced by the spirit
of the institution
President Wilson and congress were
asked to place an embargo on wheat un-
til domestic needs are provided for
The question of old-age pensions was
referred to the executive council foi
study and investigation
Opposition was registered to all forms
of investigation of industrial disputes
that would deny workers the right to quit
their employment.
The executive council, through the
president of the A. +. of L., is en-
powered to appoint a committee of five
to consider the question of cooperation,
and investigate all phases of this theory.
The convention declared that "a sys-
TEN of free text books is an essential
of genuinely free and democratic public
Schools The right of teachers to or
ganize and affiliate with labor was de-
mandcd, and ii was further declared
that: "lf our children, during their
more mpressionable years, are to have
the benefit of daily contact with exam
pies of outstanding American manhood
and womanhood. and not to be exposed
to an atmosphere OF scrvility in the
schooroom teachers must be given
warning and hearing before being
separated from the service"
The executive council was instructed
to establish a legal bureau of informa-
tion under the direction and supervision
of the executive council, the expense
of same to be paid out of the genera
funds of the A. +. of l.. A motion tc
increase the per capita tax from "a to
cent month per member to create {
legal bureau was defeated.
On The question OF international labor
relations the convention urged that fur
| ther efforts be made to have labor rep,
resented at the time and place the
| treaty making congress that will enc
| the present war will be held. While thi,
| plan has not been supported by some OF
the workers of the warning nations il
was stated that 1--WE recommend thai
/ further effort he made to clear away the
misapprchcnslons or whatever there may
be Of groundless opposition to the con
ference
The purposes OF the Mexican rcvo-
luton it was declared, appeal to the
| highest concepts and impulses of all lib,
| crty loving men and women Attcn-
| ton was called to a decree by Genera
| Carranza, August | last, providing ioi
/ death penalty for those who may in.
| cite workmcn to strike in factories ant
| concerns devoted to public service,
| The convention indorSed Presiden
/ Gompcrs' protests against this decree
and declared that "labors sympathy will
and approval of that govcrnmen
/ (McXico) were based upon the friendly
hopeful relations between it and th
labor movement OF Mexico, and that con