Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1919-06-24
American Federation Pledges
Support as Means to Fight
Unemployment.
BROTHERHOODS MAY
AFFILIATE SHORTLY
And in Return, Gompcrs Says, His
Organization May Back Demands
OF Railway Workers for
Government Ownership.

Atlantic City, N. j., June 23.--The
American Federation of Labor at the
closing session today of its annual
convention, pledged itself to obtain a
"A hour week for workers in all crafts
throughout the United States and for
employees in the government service.
The demand was based on determine
alton to prevent unemployment which
the delegates declared is one Of the
primary causes for industrial unrest.
The other cause is the decreased pur-
chasing power of the dollar Manu-
facturers and employees were urged
to "bridge the gap" and increase
wages" without any controversy"
Samuel Gompers president of the
federation, was greeted with roar
of cheers when he announced the plat
form that three of the four great rail
road brotherhoods, the engineers,
conductors and trainmen, had applied
for charters in the federation. The
fourth brotherhood the fircmen, was
meeting in Denver, he said to con-
slider similar application. If the
firemen followed the example of the
other brotherhoods, the ranks of the
federation will be increased by 100000
men.
May Form Alliance.
Delegates We're of the opinion that
with the entry of the brotherhoods,
the federation will back the demand
81 lo +
shipment and central of the roads.
This subject has been referred to the
executive council with instructions to
formulate a policy.
In addition to taking action on the
shorter work day, the convention to-
day pledged it's support to the strik
inf commercial telegraph operators
and appointed a committee to confer
with Postmaster General Burleson in
the hope of obtaining for the tele-
graphers the same concessions which
have been granted the electrical and
telephone workers.
A resolution was adopted request
ing congress to investigate the alleg
ed suppression Of free speech and
other American institutions in West
ern Pennsylvania, while another reso-
luton severely criticized municipal of
ficials in Toledo for employing dis
charged soldiers in form to perform
civil police duty in a strike. When
the question of the 44-hour week came
up it was apparent all delegates to
the convention as well as all of the
officers of the federation were in
clined to view that the shorter work
day was one of the most vitality i'm
portant subjects approved by the re-
construction convention.
Ireland Sends Thanks.
Thanks from Ireland for the con-
vention's resolution calling for recog-
rtion of the Irish republic was con-
tanned in memorandum received by
President Gompers today and present
ed to the convention. 1t was sent
from Philadelphia by P. McCartan,
"envoy of the Irish republic" and H.
J. Boland, Especial envoy"
The convention finished it's bust
mes stoday by rushing through about
so resolutions, many of which dealt
with jurisdictional disputes and minor
boycott matters. The place for the
next convention has not been deter
mined. The executive council has
been authorized to select the next
convention city after getting assur-
ances from hotel managers in the city
selected that prices will not be in
creased or profiteering practiced
Bitter complaints have been made by
delegates about the prices that they
were required to pay in Atlantic City.