Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1920-06-16
ORGANIZED LABOR REFUSES T0 HELP THE RUSSIAN SOVIET DisapprOval of the Policies of
 Lenine Is En-
 dOrSed
SEATTLE MAN COMES
 TO SOVIETS DEFENSE
Movement to Cali Upon the United States to Lift the Blockade is Defeated by the
 Delegates

cognize the soviet government or lift blockades against soviet Russia, who blocked in the annual convention of the American Federation of Labor to- day after heated debate. James A. Duncan, of the Seattle Central Labor council, led the fight in behalf of the soviet, aided by representatives of the Ladies' Garment Workers, but the convention adopted overwhelmingly the report of the resolutions commit tee opposing any action.
 The committee report declared the federation would not be justified in taking any action that might be con strued as an assistance to, or approval of, the soviet government, so long as it is based upon authority which has not been vested in it by popular na- tlonal representative assembly of the Russian people, or so long as it en- deavors to create revolution in well established civilized nations, or so long as it advocates and applies mili- tarism to labor, and prevents the maintenance of free speech, free press and free public asemblies.'
 John Frey, chairman of the resolu- tions committee, said it had been ascertained on the highest authority that the soviet government is an "au- tnpr mil ta ri cfi ho 1 does not believe in democracy, and is ruling by the "iron hand of the dcta- torship."
 Extracts from Lenines speeches which he read, showed MT. Frey de- clared, that Lenine believed in making trades unions subservient to the so- viet government and labor compul- sory." Opposition to the report, he said, might indicate that the bolshe- wiki infested the ranks of organized labor in America with ts propaganda
 Conditions Good.
 MT. Duncan said the committee had made "camouflage report" to deceive the workers of the country as to the true situation in Russia Conditions there were much better than reported in this country, he said, and added that President Wilson and Premier Lloyd George approved recognition of the soviet government, but had not "the courage of their convictions tc stand up and declare for it."
 James Duncan, of Washington, D C., first vice president of the fedora tion aswered in defense of the com
 mittee report. He read telegram from Secretary of State Colby whicl said the existing government did moi "represent the will or consent of any |. considerable proportion of the Rus sian people,"
 David Grange, New York delegate said the greatest trouble in Americs was the bolshevist plotters who arc
 trying to disrupt organized labor. q don't care what president Wilson 7 or Lloyd George have approved" h' . said, "but do know we have goot enough form of government in Amer ica for me, and am not going to tak' any chances with Trotsky and Lenine' '. bolshevik crowd. They are not an! more the friend of labor than the cza q of Russia"
 The convention took no action on 1; demand by Abraham Greenstein, delegate of the jewelry workers tha it send an invitation commission t. it send an Investigating commsso1 , to learn the "true facts" in Russia , The American press and news agen f cies, by "misrepresentating facts," h. , said, "were responsible for the pres : ent situation of Russia"
 : Defeat Blockade Plan.
 An amendment offered by Joseph [ I Cannon of New York, urging the gov ] ernment to "cease it's activities in up : holding the blockade of Russia an : protesting against supplying muni ,, tions to nations at war with Russi
 was defeated unanimousily. No vot : was taken on resolution offered b g luigi Antonio of the Information La = dies Garment Workers to declare tn
 United States, in continuing the block 5 ade was Gan abettor in this most hei nous crime against free sovereig : which whom the American people hay 5 always been at peace" It also passe ; over motion that the convention us
 it's influence to bring about with . drawal of armed forces of all foreig
 powers now opposing the bolshevik
 The telegram from Secretary c
 State Colby said:
 "There is no licensed or regula trading between the United State and Russia at present. There hay v been, as you may know, several cor ference on the subject of the remova
 of restrictions against trading wit
 Russia. These conferences have bee
 held in Europe and their course ha
 been carefully observed by this go, h ernment. They so far have been vol l. of result The soviet government d insistent upon political recognition a r a condition precedent to renewal C t any commercial contract.