South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-05-24
SAMUEL GOMPERS
OUTLINES PLANKS
FOR LABOR PARTY
Leader Issues Call TO Elector.
ate Demanding Overturn
in Congress.
By Associated Press

By Associated Press:
WASHINGTON, May %. - The
American Federation Of Labor has
issued its expected call TO the cleo
torate for IAN overturn in con-
gress."
Under the signature of Pres't
Samuel Gompers. the current issue
of the American Federationist, the
official organ carries an indictment
Of congress and the executive de-
partments for " incompetence on
the cost Of living issue" and outlin-
ing a program of deep cutting
measures" declares:
Must Defeat Enemies.
There must be an overturn In
congress. Enemies must be de-
feated; friends must be elected"
Presenting an itemized list of cor
pOration profits, similar TO that re-
Gently introduced in speech by
Sen. CaIper. Of Kansas, Mr.. Com
pers declares that while 21 enum-
Grated corporations last year re-
ceived profits averaging 435 per
cent above normal. the average
cost of living increased SO per cent
and the average union wage 90 per
cent.
The deep cutting measures"
which Mr.. Gompers writes will be
necessary Ito guard the nation 5
distributing machinery against as
saults from the pirates of trade and
comm erce'' follow:
Adjustment of Wages.
"Trnunedfate adjustments of wages
both in private employment and in
government service, 10 at least
meet the living costs that have out
stripped incomes by reason Of this
era OF frenZied LrOhteering and
immediate effective action TO
prevent continued increases in the
cost of living. An end 10 this kind
of legislation typifed by the Esch-
Cummins railroad law and the Kan
sas court OF Industrial relations law.
There must be an end 10 legislative
repression, restriction and coercion
Not only must there be an end TO
the enactment Of legislation OF this
character but there must be a repeal
Of legislation already enacted
"The congress will do well 20
give immediate and effective consid-
Grafton TO the proposal of the Am
erican labor movement that control
Of credit capital be taken from prt-
vate financiers and placed I'm the
hands Of a public trust 10 be ad-
ministered upon principles Voluntar-
ilv and cooperative i'm character.
This will strike a vital blow toward
eliminating the abuses OF prOhteer-
ing and exploitation.
Equalize Wages.
Congress should provide immedi-
atelv for full publicity for income
tax returns.
There must be immediate steps
toward equiliza ton OF wages ana
cost Of living and effective steps To
prevent a new margin from rel lac
ing the one 70 be dissolved. This
means that there must be perIna-
nent remedy for the high cost or
living"
The working people OF the United
States. continues Mr.. GOmpers. are
speaking in mandatory terms IL
those i'm control OF the legislative
destinies of the country do not un-
derstand the needs Of the workers
at least the workers themselves un-
derstand They know the restraint
which they have practiced- They
know the limit Of their endurance.
Their demand to he heard IS a ce-
mand which comprehends the wei
fare Of the country.
Relief Measures.
Prest Wilson proposed measures
for relief Mr.. Gompers writes
'.but congress gave no heed. and
since the signing OF the armistice'
the American political and indus
trial BOurbOns have laid a course OF
plunder restriction and coercion.
The recent unsanctioned strike or
railwaymen. Mr.. GOmIers cnarac-
terizes as "a symptom Of what is
the matter with America Their
methods he deplores as fOredoomed
to failure and in contravention OF
the discipline OF the trades union
movement. but. he argues, their APP
peale for relief from increasing llN-
ing costs We're of long standing and
that they suffered "pOstponement
after postponement