Omaha daily bee., 1919-06-19
Clash Over Resolution, Pro-
posing Inauguration of Policy
of Initiative and Referendum
in Ranks of Unionism.

Atlantic City, N, J., June 49,
Radical and conservative delegates
attending the reconstruction conven-
ton of the American Federation of
Labor clashed again Wednesday.
The contest which arose over a res
olution proposing Inauguration of a
policy of initiative and referendum
within the ranks of organized labor,
was marked by a display of bitter
feeling which, as was the case Tues
day, resulted in the radical element
being crushingly defeated.
A vote on whether there should be
roll call on the resolution disclosed
there were only IS delegates out of
about 500 favoring the measure This
was interpreted as representing even
more than the maximum ratio of
radicals within organized labor.
The clash developed after all the
Observation-Disclosures as we'll as con-
servatives-had adopted unanimous
ly a resolution assailng Postmaster
General Burleson for his labor pol
ICY and calling on President Will
son to remove him. During the con-
slderation of the resolution the post
master general was severely criti-
cized by delegates and termed IAN
administrative misfit." No delegate
defended Mr.. Burleson.
For Benefit of Rank and File.
AS soon as the initiative and ref
rendum resolution was reported,
James Duncan of Seattle, declared
the measure was for the benefit of
the rank and file of workers." He
accused the resolutions committee
which recommended nonconcur-
renee in the measure of being I'M
progressive and holding the belief
that the rank and file was not intel
ligent enough to consider important
questions.
You preach about democracy and
yet you won't have it IN organized
labor" hotly declared the delegate.
"Curley" Grow of Los Angeles
announced he wanted to be consd-
cred radical, or rather a "construc-
tive radical"
Il want to go forward" he cried.
delegates have asked us to get out
because they do not want to listen
to us. We won't get out. am An
American and my forefathers were.
They fought for liberty in several
wars. They were revolutionists and
| am glad of it. | suggest to both
radicals and conservatives that
they do not perturb themselves too
much. We have just come through
a trying period. We all ought to
favor changes in the laws that
would meet the new concept Men
become dangerous when they have
not the right to express themselves.
The so-called radicals now in 10
years will be considered conserva-
tives. The initiative and referer-
DUN should be given the rank and
hle."'
Living Wages" Advocated.
Among the mass of resolutions
adopted were one favoring the mi
tiative and referendum on constitu-
tional amendments; one supporting
all the legislation suggested by
President Wilson in his recent mes
sage to congress; one favoring
permitting labor officers
in the government employ to have
leaves of absence to attend to labor
business without injury to their
standing; one favoring living
wage" for government employees;
one advocating an eight-hour day
and S. day minimum wage for i'm
migration and customs inspectors
On the Canadian border and one ad-
vocating the discontinuance by the
government of civil employment
:or men and women in the military
service upon the signing of the
peace treaty.
A proposal to favor passage by
congress of law to govern prices
md profits on all commodities was
rejected A federal budget system
is means of cutting down need
eSs and "eXtrayaganf expenditures"