The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-06-17
ASK GOVERNMENT
OWNERSHIP
CONTINUED from page IL


Continued from page ID
Heberhng of the Switchmens' union;
President VIM. H Johnson OF the IN
ternational Machinists union. and
other railroad delegates who yesteT
day forced a coalition 10 win endorse
ment for the Plumb plan.
The Gompers supporters and the
railroad group leaders arrived at the
convention this morning worn out by
a night of caucuses.
Endorsement of the Plumb plan
would mean defeat for President
Gompers, the first in many years. and
put organized labor OF the United
States squarely behsnd the Plumb
Plan league. The league is controlled
by the big four railroad brptherhoods,
not affiliated with the American
Federation of Labor and ten other
organizations which are affiliated and
whose affiliations are conducting the
fight on the convention.
Gompers is claimed as honorary
Chairman by the Plumb Plan league.
The fight to win endorsement be
gan late yesterday when the resolu-
tons committee reported on
measure indorsing government own
ership.
The committee amended the reso-
Iutions to substitute government con-
troll fol- ownership. A majority OF
tbe committee is controlled by
Gompers.
A minority report amending the
committee recommendation so that
the resolution read as originally in |
troduced was brought TO the floor. |
Gompers summary adjourned the |
convention under a rule requiring ses-
sions to close at $50 p. m Inc |
measure also called for repeal or the
Esch-Cummins act approved by the
convention several days ago. Lead
ers today limited that the indorse-
ment fight might be the beginning OF
long battle between the American
Federation of Labor and the big four
railroad brotherhoods for control OF Il
the labor movement in the United
States. I,
Secretary Morrison took the floor to
support the Plumb plan Immediately
after the opening of the morning ses'
sion. Morrison read sections from
the minutes of the 1919 convention,
which he said puts the American Fed I
Grafton of Labor on record at that
time for government ownership OF .
railroads.
4 a
Ownership VIII Win Ia
MONTREAL, June T.-Endorse-
ment of government ownership OF a
railroads by organized labor of the f
United States seemed virtually as s
sured today when delegates assembled S
Tor the morning session of the Amerl-
ran Federation of Labor convention 7
Secretary Morrison took the floor In
support of a resolution which most
delegates assume to be complete en-
iorsement Of the PluuA plan. He was =
followed by Chas McGowan of the W
roller makers union. il
The measure before the convention
vas d report Of the minority in the n
resolutions committee which late yes oil
erday recommended government own a
'rship. Control Is taken to be the I'll
ian Of President Gompers. in
Friends of GOmpers yesterday at
acked the minority report on the q
round that it represented socializa-
on of all American industry.
The fight for the minority report
resenting the Plumb plan was waged -
y coalition OF delegates in the rail- of
cad and rail shop trades. They CT
Iaimed 16,42S votes or a majority. p;
sy
Gompers Takes Floor. til
MONTREAL, June II. - President 10
amuel Gompers took the floor at the pl
merican Federation Of Labor con- d;
ention here today to warn against N
of government ownership W
nd operation of railroads. m
Gompers cited acts of Presidents lpl
leveland, Roosevelt and Taft to show
lat government employees are prohib- 6
ed from exercising many political
nd industrial rights.
"All railroads workers will become
oyernment employees" said Gompers, g
If this convention indorses govern.
lent ownership and government OPP
ration of the railroads, and if me
oyernment is persuaded to follow
re endorsement of this convention. In
mo man is more loyal to the re-
ublic of the United States than l, and p
ct / would not give it more power :,
yer the citizenship of America than a
now has" lte
Gompers took the floor only after n
seemed certain the convention was ,r
-illing to put the American Fedora RI
ON of Labor on record for govern Y
lent ownership and operation Of the
ailroads provided in the Plumb plan. n
G4ompers received no applause at V,
ne conclusion OF his speech. Cries 9,
Or a vote filed the convention hall. r
for government owner