Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-01-16
Labor Federation
Proclairns Policy
of Reconstruction

report of the committee on recon-
struction Of the American FEEDER
alton of Labor, made public today
after it's approval by the fedora
! tons executive council. Govern
ment ownership of all wharves and
docks, federal legislation to pre-
vent child labor. and equality in
pay for men and women workers
also were urged.
The committee opposed the for
nation of a labor political party.
! on the ground that the disastrous
experience OF organized labor in
America with political parties of its
own amply justified the American
Federation of Labor's nonpartisan
political policy"
Demand Right of Union.
Other recommendations by the
committee were:
Legislation making Interference
with the rights of employees to or
ganize or any attempt to interfere
with the legitimate activities Of
trade unions a criminal offense.
The right Of labor to fix IT'S
hours of work.
Maximum working day of eight
hours, with overtime prohibited ex-
cept under extraordinary emergen-
cies and the weeks working time
limited to five and one-half days.
Limitations of tasks OF working
women TO those which they are ply
sically capable of performing.
No limitation on the rights of
public employees to organize.
Referendum on Legislation.
Provision for a referendum on
acts of congress or state legisla-
that the restriction will apply only
supreme court.
Legislation for state and federal
governments TO own and operate
water power projeccs, the power TO
be furnished to the people at cost.
Legislation taxing all usable
lands above the acreage which is
actually cultivated by the owner,
and giving aid IN the allotment of
land for home building on the pub
lie domain.
Establishment of government ex-
perimental farms for stock raising
instruction, and extension of the
program for reclaimlng air or cut
over lands and Of irrigation pro-
jeCts.
Limits On Corporations.
Legislation limiting and defining
the powers of corporations and ex-
tension of federal control of cor
porations TO supervision of capital
stock increases and incurring OF
bonded Indebtedness. with a pro
vision that corporation books be
open to federal inspection.
Removal of all restrictions on
free speech" individuals and
groups to be held responsible for
their utteranccs.
Extension of workmen's com
pensation laws to provide more
adequately for those incapacitated
by industrial accidents and dis
ease. and state insurance to sup
plant employers liability insur-
ance.
Limit On Immigration.
Amendment to the immigration
laws to restrict immigration to the
capacity Of the United States 10
'assimilate and AmericaniZe" for
elgners, and - completely restrict
it for at least two years after the
signing of the peace treaty and at
any future time when an abnor-
NAL degree of unemployment exists.
Increase in taxes on incomes, in
heritances and land values.
Representation OF labor on school
boards. and recognition Of the
rights of teachers to organize.
Cooperation of public employ
ment agencies with trade unionists
and elimination of all private en-
ployment agencies.
Inauguration of a plan for the
to construct model
homes for workers and establish
ment of a system of credits by
which employees may borrow funds
to build homes
Opposition to a large standing
army.
Continuation of government pay
to discharged soldiers for not to OK
Ceed one year if employment is not
obtained in that time.
Question OF Unemployment.
Discussing unemployment the re-
port says:
Unemployment is due TO under !
Tnderconsumption is !
caused by low or insufficient wages.
Just wages will prevent industrial
and lessen periodical
unemployment.
Give the workers just wages
and their consuming capacity is
cOTrcspOndingly increased. A mans
ability to consume is controlled ny
the wages received. Just wages /
will create a market at home which !
Will far surpass any market that !
may exist elsewhere and will les /
sen unemployment.
The employment OF idle work |
men on public work viii not per-
remove the cause OF uu- |
1t is an eXpedicnt at
best
TWO ISLANDS IN