The Connecticut labor press., 1919-06-21

of the Committee on Resolutions, read by MT. Frey and seconded by James Duncan, vice-president of the Fedora ton, was passed by an almost unani- nous vote. The text in the main is as follows:
 "In connection with this proposition your committee is forced to give con- sideration to the effort which has been made by the International Workers Defense League to take a referendum vote upon the question of a general strike on July 4 of this year.
 Tt is essential first to indicate that the national and international unions comprising the American Federation of Labor were granted full autonomy when they affiliated with this organization. That is to say, they were assured of their unquestiored authority to make such laws for their self-government as their desires, wisdom and experience in dicated Upon the specific question of strikes and the rules and regulations governing the taking of referendum votes upon any question, each affiliated organization is governed by the laws which its membership have enacted for their elf-government.
 Neither the A. F. of L. nor any of its affiliated organizations have the right to interfere with the operation and 3p- plication of the laws of any of the na- t1onal or international unions.
 This convention has no power nor authority, neither can 1t assume the authority to direct the taking of ref erendum vote of the membership of affiliated organizations upon any ques- tion; 1t may recommend but 1t cannot instruct.
 "The incident of an outside body ir- responsible to the trade union move of executive officials of affiliated or Ganizations Is one which cannot be ig- nored in connection with the subject. In this instance the general strike was advocated not to save a human life, but for the stated purpose of securing a new trial for Thomas Mooney before July 4 General strikes for other prr- poses have been advocated during the year by individuals and bodies outside of the trade union movement equally irresponsible to the American Fedora ton of Labor. If. bodies unauthorized by the A. F. of L. are to assume the functions of polling the membership of the American trade union upon any question of their choosing, the 1nachiu- cry through which the trade union movement functions would be seriously injured if not destroyed. If outsiders can force vote of the membership and assume authority superior to tilat created by the organizations themselves for their administration, practical methods must cease to function. Ire sponsible groups of men or individuals who were. not even trade .unionists would have 1t within their power to de- tho offoCtiuorocc 0f +-oIa discipline, tear down the structure which trade unionists have built up and create a condition of chaos. The orderly. sys- tematic methods which the workers Of America have adopted to protect their welfare and advance their interests as wage earners would be set aside, our organizations would become rich field for exploitation by all those who be- heved it to De to their personal advant- age. Those who are opposed to trade llnionism and who attack it's policies and methods would take full advantage of this opportunity of utilizing this method as propaganda for their own programs. policies and sentiments Un- occasionally adventurers would prompt ly seek the opportunity offered. The machinery of the trade union movement must remain in the full and unques- tiored control of the membership which comprises it. Our movement cannot tolerate the attempt of any outside in diVidual or group to use it's machinery for the purpose of securing or endeav- bring to secure the sentiments or opin- ion of it's membership upon any ques- ton.
 Your committee therefore recorn- mends that this convention express its emphatic disapproval of the efforts which have been made by body ire sponsible to the American Federation of Labor to poll the vote of the mem bership of affiliated organizations.
 Your committee is of the opinion that an attempted general strike would seriously injure the effort to secure new trial for Mooney and accomplish much harm to his interests.
 "The committee would be remiss in its duties if 1t failed to call attention to the fact that representatives of the International Workers Defense League, who are its agents, soliciting funds for Thomas J. Moneys defense are doing him an incalcu!able injury and also creating internal disturbances within the trade union movement through their continuous attacks, unjust criticism, and misrepresertations of the American Federation of Labor, it's officials and the officials of affiliated organizations"
 Joseph F. Valentine president of the International Holders Union, started the days proceedings by introducing resolution denouncing the employment of New York State Constabu1ary in the trike of molders at Auburn, N Y. The resolution, signed by James P. Holland, president of the New York State Fed eration of Labor, asks Governor Smith to present the matter to the special ses- sion of the State Legislature and inves- tigate the situation
 Con F. Foley, of Pottsville, Pa, got a unanimous vote from the convention when he asked denial of story print ed in today's edition of the Atlantic City Gazette Review charging that the Commercial Photographers Union of America had joined the American Fed eration of Labor only in order to se- cure aid for their general strike. Pres ident Gompers took the floor to defend the good name of the Photographers Union and reiterate the faith of the Federation in the union.