Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-06-11
GOMPERS ASSA|LS
LABOR PLATFORM
ADOPTED BY Cop.
Glenn E. Plumb Charges
Arrangements of Railroads
Are "Dishonest."

MoNTREAL. June 1.-THE labor
plank adopted by the republican ma
tional convention was condemned
here today by Samuel Gompers. presi-
dent of the American Federation OF
Labor. He referred especially to the
section of the plank providing for tn.
settlement of public utilities strikes
by tribunals similar to the Esch- Cum
Minis transportation act of 1920.
The plank, Mr.. Gompers asserted, is
directly contrary to what labor had
demanded of the republican party.
I'VE had asked the convention TO go on
record ip favor of the repeal of the
compulsory arbitration sections Of the
transportation act" he added, put
the republicans appear to have not
only refused our suggestion. but
would extend it to all utilities.
Mr.. Gompers arrived here today
from Chicago, where he had present
ed labor's demands to the national re-
publican platform committee
Charges that managements OF amer
made today by Glenn E. Plumb, origi-
nator of the Plumb plan for pubiic
ownership of the railroads. IN ad-
dressing the convention. They can
not be otherwise, he said, under the
present system in the United states
which surrounds them with temptd-
ton"
Inducement to BE Dishonest.
There is every inducement to be
dishonest at the present time, ne
added. 'They cannot be condemned.
I would not trust my own integrity
as a leader of a great railroad.
The Plumb plan, the speaker as
serted, was the solution or the prop-
lem, as it would relieve the manage
ments of railroads of "the damaging
temptation and give them an oppor-
tunity to be honest" as they would ne
under the democratic control OF the
public.
The speaker cited the management
of the Pennsylvania railroad IN sup
port of his charges, asserting that the
Interstate Commerce Commission re-
rorts showed that officials OF that
company were stockholders In from
four to twenty-nine corporations SELL
ing supplies to the railroad.
Were they interested in the rali-
these concerns?" asked Mr.. Plumb.
..or were they interested in these con.
Germs because they were directors OF
the Pennsylvania? No man can serve
two masters. 1t never has Deen uone
and connot be done if men are honest.
The only man that can serve two mas
ters is a thief. and he can serve
neither one"
Take Roads Out Of Politics.
Thetspeaker declared however. that
the Pennsylvania railroad is mo worse
off than any other railroad"
& fter outlining inis plan to the-cCn-
vention. Mr. Plumb declared that it
would take the railroads out of poll
ties IN which they were born. in which
they thrived and lived and by which
they have got to die
He appealed to the federation to
support his plan in order to give the
public ownership and democratic
control of the railroads"
The convention gave Mr.. Plumb a
tremendous ovation. voted to have his
address printed in the proceedings and
suggested that it be distributed
throughout the country to workers.
After the San Francisco labor coun-
ell had been permitted to introduce a
resolution calling for investigation of
the salmon canning industry on the
Pacific coast the convention adjourned
until tomorrow