New-York tribune., 1919-06-14
Convention of Federation
Decides to Take In
Millions of Colored
Workers in the U. S.
Critics Answered.
Asserts Gompers
Secretary Wilson Attacks
Bolshevism, Says 1t
Can't Gain Headway
Staf Correspondenca


ATLANTIC CITY. June 13.-With but
one dissenting vote the convention Of
the American Federation of Labor this
afternoon went on record for the thor
ough organization of the millions of
negroes in America.
As means toward that end it in
structed its executive officers to use
organizers wherever possible, and as
q club over those international bodies
which decline to admit negroes to
full membership ordered that in all
such trades the Federation shall charter
negro organizations direct.
This action, taken toward the close
of the session which had been devoted
chiefly to an address by Secretary of
Labor William B. Wilson, in which he
denounced Bolshevism and declared it
never could make any real progress in
The United States, is said by veteran
labor men to be the most important
saken by the Federation in years. I've
sole act designated by them as more
important was the declaration of the
convention of 1917 supporting the Ad
ministration in it's conduct of the war.
Critics Answered, Says Gompers
Mr.. Gompers's opinion is that the
action of the convention on the color
question is the answer to those who
charge that the Federation is non-pro-
gressive and exclusive.
at is" said he tonight, zone of
the most important steps taken by the
Federation in many years. In the
past it has been difficult to organize
the colored man. Now he shows de-
sire to be organized. and we meet him
more than half way"
Until a few years ago there had
been TO organization worthy of the
name among the negroes, while the
skilled and semi-skilled trades have
barred them from membership. In re-
cent years committees from the race
have repeatedly asked assistance and
recognition from the Federation, but
until to-day the influence of Southern
delegates has been sufficiently strong
to prevent any substantial recognition
being given them.
To this convention the negro work
ers presented several requests Among
other things they asked for the estab-
lishment of colored international
unions, the assignment of organizers
to every state where there-~is large
unorganized colored populatiorf,- and
the detailing in Washington of an Of
hcer, preferably coored, who shall de-
vote his time to the interests of the
negro.
Color Line Opposed
For the committee on organization
Frank Duffy this afternoon reported
against the forming Of colored inter
nationals, on the ground that there
must be no color line and that the
Federation stands for no division on
said, many internationals which admit
negroes to full membership. Dupli-
cation in these cases is unnecessary
he said. Other unions, the committee
found, refused such membership.
Under such conditions" he went on,
1T is recommended that the American
Federation Of Labor organize colored
workers under direct charters.
ut is further recommended that the
executive council give particular atten-
non to the organization of colored
workers, and wherever possible assign
orgarizers to the work"
Thirty or more unions then reported
that they drew no color line, after
Which several negro delegates .ex-
planned conditions under which they
nave 20 work. They complained that
some white unions, by drawing the col
or line, excluded them from work. Mel
son B. Forester, Of the Brotherhood
o. Railway Clerks. defended the prac-
Hces complained Of and said his union
you'd continue TO draw the color line.
:. B. McCullagh, of Omaha, speaking
ior the printers, denounced the color
! line.
Wilson Denounces Radicals
Nothing should exclude man from
labor union," said ne, "but his char
As'er or his opinions. II is the duty
" the white workers everywhere to