Great Falls daily tribune., 1920-06-20
Ratification Is Asked by
Union Convent tion
Without Formality of
Roll Being Called.
Efforts Will Be Made
to Have Democratic
Party Include Its Terms
in Platform.

Montreal. The American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor adjourned its ma
tionai convention here tonight after
indorsing the League of Nations
without reservations.
The closing session of the two
weeks convention was stormy
one. Irish sympathizers, supported
by the progressive wing OF the red
GRAFTON, opposed the movement to
indorse the league, and throughout
the debate on the question, Presi-
dent Samuel Gompers had difficulty
In maintaining order. His gavel
was smashed in his efforts to quiet
the assembly.
Mr.. Gompers and the executive coun-
Gil will leave Immediately for Washing
ton to put into operation the program
framed by the convention. The first
move, it was said, would be launched
against the Democratic national conven-
ton to obtain incorporation of the fed
erations program in the party plat
form.
Chief Items In Program.
They will urge also that the fedora
tion's nonpartisan political policy. which
was unanimously approved by the con-
yention. be carried out
Iabor's progress as outlined by the
convention demands ratification of the
peace treaty.
Government ownership. with demo-
cratic operation of railroads.
Curb of profiteering and high cost OF
living.
failing of food and clothing profi-
teers.
Right TO strike. and abolition of com
pulsory arbitration and anti-strike leg
islation.
Hands off in Mexico by the United
States government.
Endorsement of the Irish republic.
Right of collective bargaining. :
Advances in wages wherever neces-
sary to maintain the American standard
of living.
Shorter work days, if necessary, to
prevent unemployment.
Irish Sympathizers Oppose.
The League Of Nations issue arose
shortly before adjournment. Its OPP
ponentS were unable to gather sutflclent
votes for a roll call and a number of
Irish sympathizers jumped to the floor
and demanded that their votes be re-
corded as no" in the records.
President Gompers was compelled to
take the floor in support of the league.
when it became apparent that the dele
gates were swinging to the opposition.
Members of the executive council
made emphatic appeals in behalf of the
covenant.
Committee Report.
The report of the committee on in
ternational relations, which was adopt
ed. declared that to reject the league
would be "endorsing the policy of greed,
hatred and brutal war as the rule that
guides in the settlement of relations be-
tween nations"
"It is not perfect document, and
perfection is not claimed for it, the re-
port added. 1T does. however, mark
the nearest approach to perfection that
ever has been devised for the preven-
tion of war. 1t must meet with the IN
qualified approval and support of the
American working people
when has the American Federation
of Labor failed TO place itself on record
for international peaceE' Mr.. Gompers
asked. II can't recall it. The federation
has endeavored to use its influence and
power to prevent war. Who has not
struggled for such peace? Shall we now
reserve the uninterrupted policy which
We have suppOrted:'
Disarmament of Nations.
Speaking of disarmament, Mr. Com
pers said:
Even if the United States should rat
ify the league of nations, the world will
not see disarmament the first year, or
maybe for a decade. But we are not
determining these questions for the i'm
mediate day for which we live. We lay
the foundation for the structure of peace
and good will for our children and our
children's children"