The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-24
GREAT LABOR BODY
TO FIGHT RADICALS
Hugh Frayne, A. +. Of Il. Or
ganizer, Tells Of Conven-
tons Plans.
EXPLAINS SOCIAL UNREST
Stubborn Employers Mostly to
Blame, He Says; to OPP
pose Gougers.
EXPLAINS SOCIAL UNREST

Americas greatest labor union organ
iyation. the American Federation Of
Labor, with 100000 members. is pre-
pairing to stamp out the little flames OF
Bolshevism springing up here and there,
and especially in the big cities through
out tho country.
Hugh Frayne. general organizer OF the
"A. r. of L. and it's principal leader after
Samuel Gompers. the president. outlined
TO THE SUN yesterday the purpose ana
programme resolved upon by labor union
commanders that are Americans first.
This campaign contempiates war to the
knife against Bolshevism. I. w. w. agi-
tation. anarchy and radical socialism
against all Of the forces OF disorder in
motion toward revolution.
Tactics to be used against these forces
have been discussed by the A. F. OF L..
leaders in this country with President
Compers, and these will be put before
the annual convention OF tho federation
which will he held in Atlantic City be-
ginning on tho first Monday In June.
That the convention representing $1,000
900 American workmen will uphold the
hands OF It's leaders Mr.. Frayne has no
doubt, since evidence will be supplied TO
the delegates to prove that the menace
IL greater than has been generally recos-
mixed. 80 great indeed that even few
officers Of the A. F. of L.. though men OF
lesser consequence, have apparently
been tainted by the Bolshevist propa-
Handa. These men are not influential In
the organization. Mr.. Frayne states. and
will be got rid Of unless they sincerely
recant un-American views.
Most Important Convention.
"The coming convention of the feder-
alton will be the most important In the
EXAMINATIONS history" Mr.. Frayne said
yesterday at the Hotel Continental TT
will have up for consideration some OF
the biggest problems with which labor
ali society. even--has ever been con-
fronted, but the biggest problem Of all
n how to protect our country against
She anarchists now assembling under
half q dozen flags and demanding the
destruction of government and the
downfall of capital,
ct have satisfied myself that the peril
Is no mere bogy: that 1t is very real.
and that without the patriotic efforts of
American union labor It might make ter
rible Roadway. There Is our big fight
and we are going into It with the same
spirit that our soldiers showed against
the Germans on the fighting line.
"It is well to make clear that the
American Federation Of Labor Is Amer
lean through and through. believing in
American democracy. In the Constitution
Of the United States, In the enforcement
Of law, In the recognition OF properly
constituted authority. In the church and
In all other ideals upon which our re-
public stands. Therefore 1t never could
have sympathy with the doctrines OF
Trotzky and Lenine now being c.rcr-
lated here and elsewhere. That point
established. II is equally clear that union
labor's interest In putting down Bolshe-
vism in America is equal to or greater
than that OF any othe. class. Bolshe-
vism would destroy labor unionism.
That is true no matter what sugary
promises the Bolsheviki hold out. II
would destroy a system Of government;
which 10 annually doing more and more
for the working men, more ana more
toward attaining just and fair wages,
hours OF work and working and living
conditions II would tear down the
United States of America and bury labor
in the ruins. Therefore we will fight
II with all OF our power.
soviets Teach Anarchy.
I'VE shall try TO teach American Ia
Dor that the soviet form OF govern
ment' is simply not government at all,
but anarchy. chaos, which would mean
the destruction Of the home, the ma
tionalization 'of women and children, the
drying up Of the fountains of production
and the reduction OF working men to the
status Of driven cattle. We shall try
to teach them that the whole structure
of Bolshevism Is rotten with deceit, self
iahness and crime: that the programme
II inspired by men who were never bona
hde workingmen. As all A. +. of L. men
must be. but lazy. tricky agitators who
are exploiting the ignorant and living or
the proceeds Of hypocrisy.
We shall show In such ways as our
ppople understand that lying and deceit
an6,the principal propaganda methods
Of the Bolsheviki that are plotting rev
olution In America. We shall put to our
people this simple question:
'What good are the shortest hours
and the highest wages In State OF
eevagery?
That is what Bolshevism reduces
every country 10 that 1t controls
Leadership is necessary, indispensable
No democracy can live without SOUND
leadership and labor cannot thrive ex
cent in a democracy. There 10 no doubt
Of the verdict that will be rendered By
the A. r. of L. There Is no doubt thai
n will purge it's unions OF the anarchistiC
elements trying TO spread poison. There
IN no doubt that II will continue to sup
port the Government OF the United '3tatsi
IN days OF reconstruction as 1t solidly
supported the Government in the days o.
war. The A. F. Of L. Is as patriotic ar
institution as can be found in the coun
try. Bolshevism will break against 4
as waves break against u seawall
"But-and the but Is big one--th,
A. r. OF L. and all other organisation,
honestly Interested in tho welfare OF tn,
country must give intelligent support.
refer specifically to some employers ant
some organizations of employers. The
days when an employer may contemptu
ously refuse to arbitrate with his men
the days when he could stand aloof ant
say I shall not recognize these fellows
i shall have no dealings with suci
people, are past in this country and 4
might as well be understood now.
Asks Only u Square Deal.
"All that the A. r. Of L. wants is
square deal. no more. Bolshevism IL
America is encouraged by the attitud,
OF employers who hold to mediseva
methods. who spurn the concerns of la
Dor. who are too blind to see that tn,
good of the workingnian is the good o
capital.
II assume. therefore. though an
anauHlpn tndtx,iJpal tbat o,o ~