Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-06-24
Demand Based on Determina-
ton to Prevent UnempIOy-
ment Given As Chief Cause
of Existing Labor Unrest.
RAILROADS APPLY
FOR AFFlLIATI0M
Engineers, Conductors and
Trainmen Ask for Charters
and Firemen Have the Mat
ter Under Consideration,
ler MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED WIRE,

Atlantic City, n. j., June 23,--The
American Federation of Labor at the
closing session today of it's annual
convention pledge itself to obtain a
general forty -four-hou week for
workers of all crafts throughout the
United States and for employees in
the governIent service. The demand
was based on a determination to pre-
vent unemployment, which the dele
gates declared, is one of the two pri-
mary causes of industrial unrest. The
other cause is the decreased purchas-
ing power of the dollar. Manufactur-
ers and employers We're urged to
bridge the gap" and increase wages
without any controversy"
Samuel Gompers. president of the
federation, was greeted with a roar
of cheers late today when he an
nounced three of the four great rail-
way brotherhoods--the engineers
conductors and trainmen-had APP
piled for charters in the federation.
The fourth hrotherhood--th firemen
-he said, were considering a similar
application. II the firemen deciTled
to affiliate. the ranks of the federation
will be increased by 500, 900 men
Delegates were of the opinion that
with the entry of the brotherhoods
the federation will support the de-
mand of the railway men for govern
ment ownership and control of the
roads.
The convention also pledged its
support to the striking commercial
telegraphers and appointed a commit
tee to confer with Postmaster General
Burleson in the hope of obtaining for
the telegraphers the same concessions
which have been granted to electrical
and telephone workers.
Adopted Unanimously.
The report of the committee which
had been studying the question of the
forty-four- hour week was adopted
unanimously as expressing the convic-
tions of the convention. 1t says in
part:
ut must he realized that during the
war {. 1000, 600 of the most active young
men were taken from industries for
war service. Despite this the produc-
ton of the country during the war
was greater than at any other given
period in history. OF course this
greater production was materially as
sisted by the introduction of women
into the factories and to a large ex-
tent by the elimination of the liquor
industry and taking over the people
previously engaged in that work for
war production.
Labor organizations for many years
have been fighting 70 secure the
eight-hour day, once known as the
shorter workday. This eight-hour
day means forty eight hours of labor
per week. Because OF the changed
conditions brought about by the war,
q number of the industries have al
ready been able TO introduce the for
ty-four hour week, continuing the
forty-eight hours with Il half-holi-
day on Saturday.
only twelve years ago the Inter
national Typographical union ex-
pended 100000 in securing for its
members the forty -eight-hour week in
the printing industry. Now that or.
ganzation is negotiating for and will
probably receive the forty-four- hour
week through Cancellation and with
out the expenditure of money.
The garment working trades have
in securing the 44-hour
week. Other industries have done orl
are doing likewise. We believe it will
be but a short time till the eight
hour day with half holiday on Sat
urday meaning forty-four- hourl
week, will be the universal hours of
labor and adopted IN all Industries.
While this is most desirable and
the executive council has used all !
available power to assist in bringing !
about a forty-four- hour week in all
crafts, this convention should go even
further than this.
There is at present large volume |
of unrest among the workngmen on
this continent. There can be no doubt
that there are two reasons for this
unusual condition--first. the high cost
of the necessities of life; second, un-
Until wages are so adjusted that |
he earnings of labor will buy the |
same amount of the necessities Of life
hat could be purchased by the earn
ngs previous to the war. this unrest
exhibited by the working people has
/ foundation for it's existence that can
1ot be set aside. Previous to the war
he dollar earned by labor would buy
1 certain amount of certin quality
IF food and clothing The dollar
earned at the present time will also
1uy a certain amount of a certain
luality of food and clothing but it will
lot buy the same amount that the
iollar earned previous to the war
would buy. Until this gap Is bridged
md the wages increased so that the
,ame amount Of the same quality Of
tConIlnued on raxs Iw0.J