Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-10-29
A. F. OF |. SENDS
CALL FOR FARLEY
!. HERE DECEMBER IS

The official call of the executive
council of the American Federation of
Labor addressed to the officials of the
affiliated with the American Fedora
ton for a conference in this city De-
cember Is was sent out this morning
by President Samuel Gompers.
The executive chiefs Of the "big
four" the railroad organizations made
up of the Brotherhood Of Locomotive
Engineers, Brotherhood OF Lecomo-
tive Firemen, Brotherhood of Rail-
road Trainnen and the Order Of Rail-
way Conductors, join in the call. which
has been signed by the heads Of these
organizations. The big four" are not
affiliated with the American Fedora
ton of Labor, but have applications
on file, it is understood, to affiliate.
In addition to the 112 national and
international unions. which practi-
bodies of the country. the several
farmers organizations will, it is said.
participate in the coming conference.
Object of Conference.
by the executive council of the
American Federation Of Labor by rea-
son Of the industrial unrest of the
country, pending and threatening
labor troubles. is for the purpose of
discussing and taking some major ac-
ton. especially as to the steel strike
and the unrest among the railroad
workmen, and for a full discussion of
the Cummins bill. now before Con-
gress, that would make it unlawful
for two or more employees Of a rail-
road company to go out. on strike,
six months in jail, one or both
The conference will be held in the
executive board room of the Amer
lean Federation of Labor building.
Text of Official Call.
The official call for this conference
follows:
Nearly month before the declara-
ton of war by the United States gov
eminent. the executives of the ma
tional and international unions met in
conference in Washington, and then
and there declared labor's attitude to-
ward our government, whether in peace
III WAL, anu ldUOT maze good,
THE armiStice was signed Noyem-
Der II, 1913. Automatically hostilities
have ended. Technically we are vet in
a state of war. The return of indus
try from war footing to a peace
basis is not readily accomplished. The
patriotic 1ervor for our country in
peril, brought about by the dangers
which threatened the overthrow of
democracy and freedom. seems to have
subsidized.
I'm this critical reconstruction period
labor is confronted with grave dan
gers affecting the very foundation OF
its structure. So grave is the situa
ton regarded that at its recent meet
ing the executive council of the
american Federation of Labor and
the representatives of the railroad
brotherhoods agreed that the execu-
unions should be invited to participate
~ conference at the headqua rters
CT the American Federation of Labor
at ~ O'Clock on the morning of De-
cember 13. 1919. and there to take
counsel and to formulate such action
as may be essential to safeguard and
promote the rights. interests and free
dom OF the wage-esrners. the work
ers, who form the great mass of the
people of our republic.
Imperative to Consider.
1T is imperative that the responsible
representatives OF the labor move
ment shall, therefore, consider the
situation in the industrial and lesis-
lative field and agree upon funda-
mental principles and a program
which the wage-earners will accept
in performing their duties as citizens
and at the same time maintaining the
right of free men in order to conserve
human interest and welfare
I'VE conferred with the representa-
tives of the various farmers organi-
cations. The conventions of these sew
eral bodies will be held within the
next thirty days. The representatives.
of the farmers, while in sympathy
with the purposes of the conference.
did not feel that they had the au.
thority to append their names to this
call. However, formal communfca-
lions will be sent to their conventions
inviting them to appoint representa-
tives to participate in the conference
of December 10, with authority to
sneak in the name OF the organize
tions they represent.
"You are earnestly urged to attend
the conference in person and thereby
give the most effective and RESPONSE
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