New-York tribune., 1918-06-13
Seven Resolutions Present
ed at St. Paul Meeting
Contain Such Requests
4 Are on Child Labor
Two Deal With Mooney Case,
One Hinting at General
Pacific Strike
Especial Dispatch to The Tr,eune)

Especial Dispatch to The Trtbune)
ST. PAUL, Mimi, June 12.-That or
ganized labor is coming to lock more
and more to the Federal government
for support in its controversies was
shown in the resolutions presented by
the delegates to the convention of the
American Federation of Labor, now in
session here. 1t is significant that
seven of these resolutions asked for
executive action in order to evade the
consequences of recent court decisions.
In former days much of the wrath of
organized labor was annually directed
against the courts. Now that the Amer
lean Federation has formed sort of
alliance with the Federal Administers
tlon, the tendency is SIMPLY to request
the Executive TO do something about it.
No fewer than four resolutions are
concerned with the national child labor
law recently declared invalid by the
Supreme Court. One ingenious dele
gate, who has taken hint from recent
practice, urges that Secretary McAdoo
forbid the railroads to carry child
made goods.
Two resolutions ask for executive
action in the case of Thomas J. Moo
ney, of San Francisco, now under sem
tence of death for alleged bomb throw
ing at preparedness parade, who was
convicted on evidence which a Federal
commission pronounced questionable.
One resolution urges labor to do
"anythlng necessary" to prevent the
execution. This phrase can mean moth
ing less than general strike on the
Coast, but, though labor is extremely
heated over. the Mooney case, it does
not seriously consider so extreme a
measure measure at the present war time. The
general impulse is to trust President
wilson to act in the matter. The ex-
pected resolutions appeared, calling for
1he natlonallzation of the telegraph
lines, and one urged the naturalization
OF banks. Two far-sighted proposals
are made looking toward labor union
cooperation with the government. one
in training and employing laborers in
war work and another in distributing
labor after the war. Free Bohemia re-
celves resolution, and free and in
dependent Ireland, two.
Inc expected resolution against war
, llme strikes did not appear. Some
delegates appreciate that the nation
expects some such action of the con-
ventlon, and that the initiative would
more appropriately come from within
the organization than from without.
But all are apparently looking to the
executive council for action.
Thlsomood becomes increasingly ap-
parent. Never before in the history
of the federation has President Com
pers been so absolutely master of the
situation. Never before has his leader
ship been SO completely trusted.
single moment enlivened to-dav's
one dull session BENJAMIN Sch1asinoar
of New York, being the centre of it, as
he was yesterday.
Frank Duffy, of the Carpenters
Union. refused to sit with Schlesinger
on the organization committee unless
the latter apologized for his vote of
yesterday against the report of the
labor mission to Europe The incident
expressed the resentment felt by many
delegates against Mr.. Schlesinger's
union, the International Ladies' Gar
ment Workers, which is predominantly
socialist, but which is, nevertheless, act
ing meek as lamb this year.
The situation might have become
riotous, but President Gompers ex-
planned that Schlesinger's vote did not
imply disloyalty or pacifism, and firmly
declared the incident closed.
Nevertheless. Schlesinger withdrew
from the committee, asserting at the
same time that he was loyal, and that
his organization had purchased $780,
600 worth of Liberty bonds