The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1920-06-25

covenant Is Endorsed by Organ
lied Labor Convention.
O. KID WITHOUT RESERVATION
Gompers Breaks His 0aveI In Preserv-
Ing order-Takes Floor in Support
of the Committees Report Fa-
Voring the Pact.

VI the commuters Report
Voring the Pact.
Montreal, June 21-The American
Federation Of Labor adjourned it's an
nual convention here after indorsing
the League of Nations without reserva-
tons.
The closing session of the two weeks
convention was stormy one Irish
sympathizers, supported by the pro-
gressive wing of the federation, OPP
posed the movement to indOrse the
league, and throughout the debate on
the question President Samuel Com
pers had difficulty in maintaining or
der. His gavel was smashed In his
efforts to quiet the proceedings.
The League of Nations issue arose
shortly before adjournment. It's oppo-
nents were unable to gather sufficient
votes for roll call, and a number of
Irish sympathizers jumped to the floor
and demanded that their votes be re-
corded as mo- in the records.
Gompers Takes Floor.
President GOmpers was compelled to
take the floor in support Of the league
when 1t became apparent the delegates
were swinging to the opposition.
Members Of the executive council
made emphatic appeals In behalf of
the covenant.
The report of the committee on inter
national relations which was adopted
declared 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 between
nations"
eft is not perfect document, and
perfection Is not claimed for it," the
report added. "It does, however. mark
the nearest approach to perfection that
ever has been devised for the proven
ton of war. 1t must meet with the
unqualified approval and support of
the American working people"
Always Favored Peace.
when has the American Fedora
ton of Labor failed to place itself on
record for international peaceY asked
Mr.. Gompers II can't recall it. The
federation has endeavored to use it's
influence and power to prevent war.
Who has not struggled for such peace!
Shall we now reverse the policy which
we have supported?"
Dan McKillip of Seattle led the op-
position to the covenant, because. he
said, it guarantees the territorial in
tegrity of the British empire. He also
declared the American workingman
does not understand the full meaning
Of this league
Mr. Gompers and the executive coun-
ell will leave Immediately for Wash
ington TO put into operation the pro-
gram framed by the convention.
The first move, it was said, will be
launched against the Democratic ma
tiOnal convention to obtain incorpora-
ton of the federation's program in the
party platform They will urge also
that the federatiOn's nonpartisan po-
Iitical policy, which was unanimously
approved by the convention, be car
red out.
Labor's program, as outlined by the
convention demands, follows:
Ratification Of the peace treaty.
Government ownership, with demo-
cratic operation of railroads.
Curb on profteering and high cost
of living.
Would Jail Profiteers.
failing Of food and clothing prof
iteers.
Right to strike and abolition of COM
ipulsory 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 stand
ard of living.
Shorter work day, if necessary to
prevent unemployment.