The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-11-17
PLOTTERS THICK
IN CONVENTION
Continued from page H.


number 152 which proposes that the
| federation express its willingness TO
be represented at any conference on
international relations and terms OF
Peace whenever called"
To Hoe Its Own Row.
! [By George Martin, United Press STAFF
Correspondent
BUFFALO, N. Y, Nov. 17.--Coun-
selling the labor of the world to noe
it's own row and not meddle in either
peace or war politics at this time.
President Andrew j Furuseth of the
Seamens international union, appear
ed at the American Federation OF La
Dor convention here today to sponsor
that program.
Above all, he cautioned labor not to
hate.
Although taking no active part IN
the open convention as yet, Furuseth
outlined his position to the United
Press.
Anent certain resolutions and the
report of Allied Conference Delegate
John Golden, advocating that Ameri-
can labor be represented at all world
labor conferences from now on, Fur
useth said:
1.-THE labor of no nation had a voice
in the starting of this war. 1t cannot
now afford to concern itself in the
politics of the war and peace situation,
without taking upon its shoulders
some of the responsibility for the war.
This applies to any faction in the
country, including Germany and to
all the labor of any nation or group
of nations not representing all the
labor of all the nations.
Il can see no advantage to labor's
participation in war and peace politics
at this time There will come time
when the accredited representatives
OF all labor, including that of the GEN.
trail powers can get together.
There is nothing for labor to do
now but concern itself with its duty
to it's respective nation as nationals.
Let 1t follow the flags of it's nations
while the war is fought out by those
who started It,
Above all, let labor refuse to hate.
Ours is not the blood guilt for this
war. Ours is not the animosity."
Meantime the convention itself got
down to action and adopted number
Of the 16S resolutions.
President Gompers was authorized
to appoint a special committee to re-
port before adjournment on the alleg-
ed national labor shortage and upon
conditions under which women are
being absorbed in industry.
A resolution was adopted condemn
ing Judge Hayden of Boston as having
"a biased mind and contracted
view" for his alleged statement that
'1f / had my way 1 would suspend
every labor law during the war, for the
only people in this country who are
disloyal are the laborers and if could.
I would have every men who dares to
strike put up against the barbed wire
j front line"
| To Enter Politics.
! BUFFALO, N. T., Nov. 17.-By a
vote of 215 to 81, the American Fed
Grafton OF Labor today determined to
| abandon its lifelong non-partisan at
titude and actively enter American
politics next year.
This action took the form Of res
olution to change the federation 5
constitution to provide for the an
nual convention in June Of each year,
a few months prior to the elections,
| instead of late in November after the
elections
It is said by labor leaders to change
the entire complexion of the organ
| lied labor movement in this country
amounting virtually to the organiza
ton of third party in opposition tc
both the old line republican and
democrat organizations.
| This vote assures a strong labor
tinge to the congressional elections
next fall The A. F. of l.. convention
hereafter, it is expected, will be look
ed upon as almost as much of q
presidential nomination convention
as either the republican or democratic
conventions.