Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-06-10
PROPOSES TO CURTAIL
CONTROL BY COURTS
American Federation of Labor Executive Council in An
nual Report, Discusses Plan to Abridge Judges
Power Over Acts Of Congress
IRy Associated Prcs.1

/ 10y NssoClateu Iress.I
! ATLANTIC CITY. y. j.. June 9.--Im-
| portant projects for the advancement
OF labor and Improvement OF working
conditions. as well as comprehensive
outlines of what has br,n accom-
! plished on labor's behalf during the
last year are set forth in the report
the e o} Of 'Hs
| today to the officers and delegates at
| tending the opening session Of the
thirty ninth annual convention.
The advent of peace is taken by the
| for labor OF the peace treaty itself
the labor EXECUTIVES forming the coun-
freedom and Justice and democracy as
league Of nations" says that the labor Dor
sections Mons, ARE spmrr hn but that
deepest satisfaction TO the Anne rican
working people to know that the
declarations as presented for insertion
IN the treaty ranked above all others
in point OF progress measured and In
point of actual and practical applica
ZION i'll the hives of working people.
Whatever of compromise appears was
made because of the claims that other
nations OF the world could not pledge
themselves TO an immediate and def
mite acceptance OF the standards main
tanned by the American labor move
ment as the established practices of
our day"
judiciary Requires Attention.
Foremost among the matters sub
| mitted by the council to the conven-
ton are suggestions dealing with leg
'islation TO prevent any Invasion OF
the rights and preroga,ives Of the
legislative branch OF our government
by the judiciary" The report OF the
council on this subject was made in
by the ST. Paul convention. In that
resolution the council was ordered TO
study the successive steps which
supreme Courts through which. with
out constitutional authority and In op-
position TO the action of the constitu-
power which they now exercise"
The study now has been partially
completed and contains remedial sug-
gestions made by jackson X. Ralston.
attorney OF the American Federation
OF Labor. Three propositions are sub
united IN the report for the consdera-
!,on OF me convention, each proposing
mat authority of the supreme Court
TO pass upon acts OF Congress should
be Cancelled or abridged
Arguments Pro and Con.
Arguments for and against the pro-
posals are discussed at considera bl e
opinion that coupled with judicial re-
forms. there should go hand in hand
inc initiative and referendum. pro-
portional representation and the pref-
erentiai ballot without which. he said
methods of attaining justice will
lack much OF the completeness"
This section Of the report closes
with The statement that the writer is
convinced that in this subject the
executive council has had before IL
one OF tho. Srarcst fundamental ques-
tie preservation of a truly democratic
government against what has oftei
been called the aristocracy OF the
| robe
/ Considerahl atta,,;on =; 5o,.,, .,
inc report to labor legislation. 1t Il
! Nnid that some rule should be adopte,
! III Congress which would prevent OBJ
/ structive Legislative methods The re
| port lists among the measures stalled
| by the weary waste OF worthless.
% "S IN the last Congress. and ir
the appropriation bill for the wa,
Labor Board. United States Employ.
nent Agency, women in industry ser,
nicc. working condition service and the
investigation and inspection service.
TO Print List OF Labor Menaures.
the convention authorize the printing
and vide circulation OF a list OF meas,
nres IN which the American Fedora
Wien .. h ihs b is nteTested among
i.on for four years during the period
OF industrial reconstruction. bin for
an ola age retirement system for Fed
oral employees in the ella ssitied ser
wee: a bin providing minimum wage
OF 81 day for Federal employees
Secretary Lanes hill 10 furnish land
Tor soldiers and sailors. a bill to give
states the same power over the pro
duets OF convict labor from other
states as they exercise over the pro-
ducts of their own prisons. industrial
vocational education for persons Grip
pied in Industry. increased paw FOR
teachers and educational bills designed
70 end adult illiteracy in the United
States
Appropriations for the Departm
o! Labor are discussed at some length
IL is stated in the report that Con.
SraSs. In granting meaScr funds Il
that department. has failed to inter.
pre- correctly the spirit and trend OF
present. day development" especially
AT time when there is Worldwide
recognition Of the fundamental i'm.
portance Of Industrial problems"
We maintain the report continues
mat the Importance of the Interests
AZ Issue and the faithful. loyal ser.
vice the workers have given the gov.
eminent and society have earned 70,
US the right TO fair consideration In
the expenditure Of national funds