Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-11-17
FARM. AND INDUSTRIES
FOR CLOSER COOPERATION
\. {. Townlcy Makes Plea Before
American Federation of
Labor Convention.
LABOR BACKS GREAT BRITAIN
Two Glcnt Organizations of Empire
Go on Record Us Supporting Gov
crnnlcnt-Wish Representation at
Allied industrial Conferences.

BUFFALO. %ovcmbcr ia plea
from the farm for closer cooperation
with other branches OF the nations in
dustrics to III" end that victory over
autocrac" might be sooner achieved,
and reports from two great labor or
g&n!Zations in the British empire stat
ing thai union hbor there Still faces
the enemy determined and confident Of
victory. brouEhI enthusiastic cheers
from the delegates attending to-day's
session "f the thirty-scvcnth annual
convention OF Inc American Federation
OF Labor.
The farmers were represented by \.
g.. Tcwnlcy. president OF the armers
Nonpar;isan League. ana I. Y. S,rayer.
second vice-prcsident of the National
Farmers Congress.
John Golden. president Of the United
Textile Workers reporting on the
meeting Of tho British trade-un;on
congress and IN" allied labor confer
cacc. said he had found "a people who
have held fast To their ideals. confident
that their sacrifices have not been in
vain"
Union labor in Great Britain" he
continued ''bcli"ycs that when II is all
ended, the gates OF opportunity to
greater liberties. greater lives and an
enduring democracy VIII be opened
throughout tn" world"
Mr.. Golden urged he convention 70
have the American Federation OF Labor
represented at al. future allied labor
conferences.
The committees spen, another busy
day. Two resolutions having to dc
with the fcdcration's closer relations
with the Federal government on war
work are understood 20 be giving The
federation leaders some concern. Either
one of them. it is said. is likely to pre-
ctpitate sharp debate on the floor OF
the convention.
STEEL DIRECTORS DEMAND
WAR WORK HECoGNITION
One Of the resolutions was intro
duced by delegates representing the
Bridge and Structural ~lronworkers
Inc resolution points out that a great
AMOUNT OF the materials necessary for
government work !s being furnished by
tn. United States Stee! Corporation and
the Bethlehem Steel CORPORATION for
work erected by or through firms who
are members of the National Erectors'
Association.
FOR the last twelve years" il says,
the United States Steel Corporation
The bethlehem steel Corporation and
the National Directors Association have
steadiastly refused to enter into AN
agreement or in any way nccotiat.
with our international union. in which
20 per cent Of the men who follow our
trade are members"
The rcsolut;on then ellis on tho fed
Grafton To AXE UP the matter with the
Secretary OF War. Secretary Of the
Navy and the Council OF National De-
Tense I'm ar effort TO have the work
ers accorded the same recognition given
10 other organized workers on war
work"
The second resolution refers to Pres
idcnt Wilson'S proclamation OF Mnrc!,
/. 1917, which states that all govern
ment work should be performed on a
basic c!ght-hour day. with not less than
time and one-half for overtime. This
has been interpreted by CERTAIN gov
erhineni officials. the resolution states.
IN such a WY that MANY >! tho man
tacturcrs supplying the government: are
WORKING their employees more thar
iEht hours.
The executive council ia asked ito
call the matter to the attention of ,hc
proper government officials with the
view cc placing all government supply
contracts on AN e!Gh;-hour basis In
compliance with our understanding az
the proc!amation."