Evening star., 1919-06-17
A. F. Of |. FAVORS
VOTES IN DISTRICT
Adopts Resolution at Today's
Session-WouId Recognize
Irish Republic.

ATLANTIC CITY, N. j., June IL
Among the resolutions adopted by the
American Federation of Labor conven-
ton today was one that favored the
granting of universal suffrage for the
District Of Columbia and the Panama
canal zone.
Would Recognize Free Ireland.
A resolution urging Congress to rec
ognize the Irish republic and recon-
Irish republic be given hearing at the
Paris peace conference was also adopt
ed. The memorial placed American or
ganized labor as being in favor of self
determination for Ireland.
A bitter debate developed when the
resolutions committee reported meas
ures dealing with Ireland, some of the
delegates urging the convention to go
>on record in favor of self-determina-
tion for the Irish people. and others
recommending that the United States
be asked to recognize the Irish re-
public.
Harold c. Kingsley of the Newport.
r. l., Central Labor Union, declared
he and other delegates believed in self
determination, "as President Wilson
did before he went to Europe and had
hobnobbed with people there" Kings
ley added that he and others favored
also "self-determfnation for Russia"
The resolution as finally adopted
covered both self-deter mination and
American recognition. and the sugges-
tion that the Irish republic be given
hearing in Paris, was contained in an
amendment
To Fight the Steel interests
A committee Of twenty-four presi-
dents of international labor unions
mesrsss !. Ia issast1, Ss.ass
by Samuel Gofnpers, president Of the
American Federation of Labor, last
night. in conference. decided imme-
diately to launch Extraordinary or
ganixation efforts in the great steel
producing regions Of the country. es-
pecially the Pittsburgh district, and
fight there for the right of free as
semblage, free speech and a free
press"
A committee Of the international
labor leaders was appointed to draft
resolution embodying the decision
of the conference for presentation to
the full convention. It was explained
that the organization campaign prob
ably would be launched in McKees-
port. where the campaigners expect
considerable difficulty. because the
municipal authorities. it was said. had
of organizers.
Launching of the campaign will
mark resumption of fight in progress
for many years between organized la
Dor and steel employers.
Pay Of Clerks and Teachers.
Before adjourning yesterday the
convention adopted numerous resolu-
tions- One put organized labor as
being in favor of establishment Of a
minimum salary for teachers in Wash
ington, d. c.. and directed the fedora
tion officers to take appropriate ac-
ton to secure from Congress a mini
mum of $1,000 a year for graded school
teachers and $1,000 year for high
school teachers.
Another resolution adopted instruct
ed the executive council Of the fed
Grafton to cooperate with repre-
sentatives affiliated with the organi-
zation of federal civil service en-
ployes in securing upward revision of
salaries. 1t being declared in the pre-
amble that inadequate wage stand
ards were seriously impairing the
efficiency Of government. institutions.
The resolution noted with approval"
appointment of a congressional COM
mittee to investigate salaries and
working conditions Of government
employees.