The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-01-17
IN FULL CONTROL OF LABOR
 CONFERENCE URGE
 |. W. w. PRINCIPLES
Speakers Demand Organiza- tiOn of American Soviet. Movie of Mooney Case, Showing American
 Flag, Brings
 Kisses
By Associated Press

Chicago, January 16.-The extreme radicals seemed to have control of the sessions to- day of the National Labor con- gress called to consider a pro- gramme for liberating Thomas J. Mooney and Warren Bill ings.
 Practically every principle of the soci- alists and the I. w. W. was urged for adoption in the flood of oratory which occupied both the morning and afternoon sessions. Speakers demanded the organi- zation of an American soviet, the press and capalistc class were denounced and the American Federation of Labor was bitterly assailed
 The climax was reached when a moving picture was shown of the Mooney case. One scene showing soldiers carrying an American flag in the San Francisco pre- paredness day parade brought misses from some of the radicals in the crowd.
 The committee on resolutions is eX- pected to make it's final report tomorrow after which the convention will adjourn The report, it is said, will recommend the adoption of the programme of the ln- ternatonal Workers Defense league for the liberation of Mooney and Billings and make some kind of a declaration on the numerous radical ideas suggested Tor the policy of orga nized labor during the reconstruction period.
 DEBS WIRES REGRETS
 A telegram was read from Eugene V. Debs expressing regret at his inability to come to Chicago and address the con- vention because of the conditions inn posed by Federal Judge D. C. Westen- haver of Cleveland, when the socialist leader was released on bail. after his conviction for violation of the espionage law.
 In the telegram Debs said:
 T am in the custody of federal court officials and not permitted to come to Chicago.
 Free speech prevails in Russia but Is dead in the United States since the word has been made safe for democracy The conservative element has the unqualified approval and support of the capitalist class and false to the working class I am with and for the radicals. The hour has struck for action. Long windei resolutions and humble petitions. to cor poration tools in public office anu cor rnpt politicians are worse than useless. Mooney is innocent and the whole worlu knows Tnc convention can uO fo less than demand his unconditional re- lease and issue an ultimatum to that ef- feet, givir due notice that if that fails general strike will follow at specified time and industry paralyzed throughout the land. Appeal has been made to their consciences in vain and now let the bat teries of labor be opened on their profits' There is no halfway ground READY FOR WAR ..lf the silk hat conspirators and would he lvnchers out on the Pacific coast and elsewhere insist upon war let 1t come We have nothing to lose but the gags upon our lips and the chains on our rodies Now is the time to prove the sol- idarity Of our class. The people are With jns in this fight. and will stand by us iron, coast to coast in our determination to rebuke capitais criminals and main- tan our rights as American citizens The Debs telegram was cheered by the crowd
 Another telegram was read from Fed elal Judge W estennaven. stating that tho conditions of the bail fixed in open court provides that Debs was not to leave Ohio bending she review of his case by the supreme Cocrt
 James Fl. Maurer, president of the
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