Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1919-06-13

Atlantic City, N. 1.-Two millions
stronger than when America entered
the world war, the American Fedora
ton of Labor met in convention here
Monday to outline a new reconstruc-
ton policy for federated labor
throughout the United States.
Never has a convention Of the
American Federation of Labor been
so deeply engrossed in questions of
great international moment. Not
even the war drew the convention into
consideration of more problems of
world interest than face this thirty
ninth convention with it's $50 dele
gates representing 3,262,000 members
There are some fourteen colored
delegates in this convention. Four or
five years ago there were none. Final
ly one struggled in and the number
has increased rapidly. They repre-
sent Pacific Coast oil field labor most
| ly. Their particular fight is for an
anti-lynching resolution. They flock
together and make themselves as un-
obtrusive as possible.
Plain clothes men amble through
the crowds on the alert for bomb
plotters, much to the disgust of the
labor men who see no sense in such
proceedings. But the Mayor has
ordered the sleuths to pussyfoot and
so they pussyfoot ceaselessly.
Problems of intense concern to the
nation, to millions of workers and to
employers are to be threshed out in
sessions covering a period of two
weeks in the big Music Hall on the
Stvei Pier
The following message was received
from President Wilson:
"May | not send my warm greet
ings to the annual convention of the
American Federation of Labor and
express my deep qualification that the
international conferences which have
grown out of discussions of peace have
led to a much fuller and more ade
quate comprehension Of the questions
of labor to which statesmen through
out the world must direct their most
| thoughtful attention? 1t has been
real happiness to me to be of a
little service in these great matters.
81 cannot justly refrain when send
ing this message from expressing in
very warm terms the appreciation felt
by all who have been dealing with
labor matters of the invaluable serv-
ice rendered by Mr.. Gompers. He has
won universal confidence and has
firmly established in the international
articles as we'll as at home, the repu-
tation of the American Federation of
Labor for sane and helpful counsel" J"
Defeat of autocracy on the fields Of
France meant defeat of autocracy
everywhere and American labor is
determined that this defeat shall be
final and permanent. That was the
spirit of the annual address of Prest-
dent Gompers to the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor convention here.
President Gompers summed up his
dress:
dres:
"The workers of the world are de-
termined that this new concept Of the
relation between man and man and
this new concept of the right of the
workers to have a voice in the de-
termination of the conditions of theiC
labor and of their lives shall be re-
cognized."
At the conclusion of his speech
President Gompers was given an ova-
tion that showed beyond dispute the
sentiment of the convention.
A demand for government action
that will stop all forms of profteering
in food products is one of the certain
developments of the convention. Little
hope was held out that any movement
in the meeting for recognition of
Soviet rule in Russia will receive
serious consideration. One of the big
gest battles in the convention in all
probability will center upon the pro-
hibition question. There will be a
volley of resolutions demanding
strong protest against a "bone dry"