The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-12-17

LABOR SEEKS AID.
OF THE FARMERS
Union Labor Leaders Send
Out Invitations to Farm
Organizations
CONSERVATIVES CON-
TROL THE FEDERATION
Entire Platform Drawn Up
With View Of Making It Ac-
ceptable to Producers

Washington, Dec. 14.-Americ2n
Federation Of Labor officials made
another effort today TO establish re-
lations with farmers organizations,
the federation's cooperation commit
tee," appointed at the Atlantic City
convention, meeting here with the
representatives of several farmers
groups.
With only one delegate from a
farm organization participated in the
federarion's reconstruction confer
ence," which opened yesterday, It was
understood the invitations sent by the
committee for today's meeting were
more cordially received. Federation
officials declined TO discuss the con-
ference today. saying that the COM
mittee would make report TO the
executive council of the organization.
Ia view Of the declaration Of prin-
ciplcs adopted by the conference yes
tcrday, it was generally believed in
labor quarters that the cooperation
committee had made greater pro-
s-css toward 4 common ground on
which to meet the farmers represcn-
tatives than has any previous union
group Organized labor was declar-
ca by several spokesmen TO be anx-
ious 10 get organized farmers in the
fold for the campaign which the
workers plan TO wage in the forth
coming election.
In this contention the statements
made in the declare ton. adopted by
yesterdays conference, appealing TO
.all Of those who contribute to So
ciety to unite in furtherance CT the
principles" were explained today by
labor leaders to mean that organized
labor must be joined by the pro
ducing classes if its victory IS to be
complete These leaders asserted
that the problems faced by organized
labor are as much the problems Of the
agricu!turist class, because they are
both political and economic.
Every pressure is being brought to
bear on the farmer groups to line
them up for la5or's program. it was
indicated at federation Of labor head
quarters. Efforts. it was said. will be
made to show the farmers that the
conferences declaration against radi-
calism means as much to the tiller
Of the soil as to the industrial work
er. and that the organized aid OF the
country worker is needed in the fight
against "autocratic control Of mono
poIistic nlaneuvering Of the nations
raw supplies"
The whole platform Of YESTERDAYS
conference was understood to have
been drafted with a. view to making
it as acceptable as possible to the
farmers II was the work Of the
conservative clement Of the American
Federation Of Labor and was under
stood to have been prepared under
the personal direction Of Samuel
Gompers. president OF the federation.
For the reason that it was put ont as
a fceler for the farmers. Mr.. Comp
ers would permit no changes to be
made in it by the conference, accord
ing to authentic information.
While & was noted that 4 strong
sentiment for some political party
declaration permeated the general
conference yesterday. this, rs we'll as
the proposed endorsera ent of the new
Labor party. fell by the wayside be-.
cause OF the likelihood that it would
be acceptable to few farmers, labor
delegates said.