New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-12-14
Heads of 200 International
Bodies in u. S. Condemn
Efforts of ''Reds'' to Win
Control of the A. F. of L.
Right to Strike Upheld
Declaration of Principles
Assails Coal Injunction
and Bare Living Wages
N~r York Tribune
Washinaton Bureau

AoAlANNAON OeC. 1O.~DolSHeV-
ism and I. w. W.-ism were fatty re-
pudiated here tonight by representa-
tives of all trades unions of the United
States.
secretaries of ali international organ
izations in the United States-the most
important gathering of the kind labor
has held in years-adopted resolution
condemning these doctrines as de
structive of American ideas and i'm
practicable in application"
The resolution was adopted without
a roll call. but men in the conference
declared it carried by substantial ma
jority. A previous effort to have the
resolution referred to the executive
council of the American Federation Of
Labor had just been beaten by bare
majority and leaders in the meeting
explained that the reason the vote
was not larger on passage was due
in the negative on its passage did so
because they felt it should first be
passed upon by the council.
For Voluntary Arbitration
The resolution also reiterated the
ciples of Cancellation and voluntary
arbitration and in collective bargain
ing 1t reads as follows:
Whereas, The American Federation
of Labor is an American institution be-
lieving in American principles and
ideas; and
Whereas, An attempt is being made
to inject the spirit of Bolshevism and
l. w. W.-ism into the affairs of the
American Federation Labor; and
"Whercas. The American Federation
of Labor is opposed to Bolshevism, l.
w. W.-ism and to the irrcspons ible
leadership that encourages such a pol
icy therefore be it
"Resolved, That this conference of
representatives of trade unions affili-
ated with the American Federation of
Labor and other organizations asso-
ciatsd IN this conference repudate and
l. W. ism as being destructive to
American ideas and impracticable in
applications; and be it further
Resolved, That this conference re-
terates the action of the conventions
of the American Federation of La Dor
in the advocacy of the principles of
Cancellation and voluntary arbitration
and collective bargaining"
Meet Behind Closed Doors
The adoption of the anti Bolshvist
resolution was the feature Of the con-
ference, which lasted virtually all day,
and was marked by much impas sioned
oratory behind closed DOORS
An effort early in the day to launch
q labor party and put the organized
workers squarely in the political field
back of their own Presidential candi-
date failed when a motion to bring the
III h1fo
ruled out Of order.
Just before adjournment was taken a
motion condemning the railroad legis-
lation now before Congress was de-
feated decisively, the sentiment of the
conference being that it already had
expressed its opinion of such legisa-
ton.
Tn principal business of the day was
the drafting and adoption of declara-
ton of principles more than 5000
words in length. 1t was adopted aftol
much discussion by vote of 118 to
3. No record was made of any of the
Federation of Labor said tonight that
Andrew Furuseth, of the Seaman's
Union. and j. w. Fitzpatrick, of the
White Rats, were two who voted
against the declaration.
Right to Strike Upheld
The declaration makes the attitude
of labor clear on these points,
1t denounces the "autocratic' politi-
cal and corporate industrial anc
financial influences" which seek tc
limit the right of labor to strike. Ir
this connection the United States
Steel Corporation was severely crit
cized for its attitude towards the strik
ing steel men.
II
action" of the majority of the repre-
sentatives of the employers in the
Presidents first industrial conference.
1t declares the paramount issue thai
concerns all the people of the United
States. and in particular the wage
earners," is the perversion and abuse
of the writ of injunction, referring
particularly to the use of the manda
tory form of injunction, such as At
tornev General Palmer obtained from
the Federal court in Indianapoli:
against the bituminous coal miners.
A strong feature is the denunciatiol
of legislation to make strikes unlawful
eve specifically denounce," says tn,
declaration, "the anti-strike provisions
of the Cummins bill and all simila
proposed legislation as un-American
as being viciousi n character and estab
fishing by legislation involuntary ser
vitude."
1t urged that Federal Judges b
elected by the people or terms no
exceeding six years and asserted tina
nowhere can there be found in tn
Constitution any warrant or Fedora
court to hold unconstitutional an &C
of Congress. The people of the coun
try are called upon to deman Congress
act to prevent the continuance o 9Th
usuisnation of such authority"
Courts Are Assaulted
The courts again assailed in a par
of the declaration dealing with legisla
ton by which labor organizations wer
to be exempt from the anti trust laws
but which the courts have not re
spected. The action of the Unite
Mine Workers in the recent strike IVA
commended in this part of the declarys
tion and the hopes expressed that
full measure of Justice will be accorded
them even at this late date"
That wages should be fixed on cost
of-llving basis, the declaration holds K
be pernicious and an intolerabl
idea although widespread. "America
workers cannot accept that PROPOSE
ton" says the declaration. 1t goes or
to declare American workers demand ,
progressively advancing standard O
The cost Of living is attributed tt
"the present imitation of money ane
credits, to profteerng by those who
manufacture, sell and market products
and to burdens levied by middlemer