Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-01-15
BUILDERS LAY
RED,ACTIVITIES
TO UNION MEN
Opposition to Immigration Is
Plot to Force Higher
Wage, Charge.
OFFICERS ARE RETAINED

Rather startling statements marked
the debate on the associaticn's poll
cies toward immigration and labor
legislation at yesterdays session of
the ninth annual convention Of the
National Builders Exchanges in the
assembly room of the C1aypool
hotel
During the discussion vigorous state
ments were made regarding the lack of
effort on the part of the United States
department Of labor to stamp out the
reds and radicals in this country and
the motive behind the American Fed
Grafton of Labor's fight for complete sus-
pension of immigration was estimated in
terms of self-interest One speaker
CHARGED that the federation was against
immigration because It would continue
the prevailing labor shortage and there
by enable organized labor to further
boost the wage levels in the United
States.
President Charles william Bernhardt
took the position that immigration should
be carefully regulated, but that the gates
of America should not be closed to those
who desired to escape conditions in Eu-
rome when. on their arrival in the United
States, they made n convincing showing
as to their character and sincere inten-
ton of abiding by the laws of this coun-
try and becoming citizens.
The speaker said that the legislative
committee of the National Association
of Builders Exchanges had correspond
ence in its possession which indicated
the country is not approaching crisis,
but that it already is in one.
Although during the debate every shade
OF opinion from complete exclusion of
the immigrant to liberal regulation was
expressed, the conventions resolution on
the question proved to be a conservative
compromise favoring the continuation OK
immigration under proper regulations"
When the convention was called to or
der at 10 o'clock this morning the appli-
cations of the exchanges at Little Rock,
Ark, and Warren, o., met with favorable
action. The annual report of the board
of control was received and filed and V.
r. Gould of Omaha, chairman Of the Ia
Dor committee, reported that on account
of the unsettled conditions and due to
the fact that the employer interests
were being organized to give the subject
direct and inclusive attention, the Labor
committee had been inactive during the
year.
William F. Chew of Baltimore pre-
scented the report of the legislative com
mittee and it was in connection with
this report that the debate on immigra-
ton developed.
Mr. Chew presented for consideration
of the convention 8 resume of three pro
posed federal laws which are being
backed by several national organizations
nua Iab
izations to incorporate so that they
could sue and be sued and thereby es-
tablish some legal responsibilities where
unions fail to live up to their contracts
and agreements or cause damage through
unwarranted strikes
Another proposed measure would make
Unwarranted strikes Illegal, and the
third would outlaw strikes of government
employees.
That the legislative committee for 1920
might have the expression of sentiment
Of the convention to guide the commit
tees efforts the convention voted its ap-
prevail of these proposed measures
Just before the noon adjournment Max
Raumann of New York reported rs
chairman of the nominating committee
saying that in the committees best jude-
inent it would be wise to re-elect the
present officials. He said these officials
had made a creditable showing under
the extraordinary conditions in 1919;
that they were familiar with the peculi-
arly difficult phases of many Of the
postwar problems, and that there was
every reason to believe they could serve
the association better than a new set
of officers, however efficient and willing
the new officials might be.
The recommendation was enthusiastic
Cally received by the convention and ac-
copied without dissenting vote, the
secretary of the convention being in
structed to cast the unanimous ballot for
the following officials:
Charles William Bernhardt, president,
Atlanta, Ga.
c. A. Dubel Sioux City, Ia, first vice
president,
William F Chew, Baltimore, Nd, sec
Ond vice president.
B. NJ. Freeman, Columbus, o., treac-
urer.