The Connecticut labor press., 1920-06-12


 ? The week naturally was taken up with the proposal of resolutions and of these there seemed to be no end. On the first actual business session on Tuesday more than 200 were handed in and sponsored with a brief remark while the inpour at the following ses- s1onS seemed to be without 1etup. All were referred to the committee on resolutions which certainly has its hands full
 A great reception was given the con- vention. Premier Borden of Canada, the premier of Quebec, the mayor of Montreal and other dignataries vied with each other in extending welcomes while the Canadian Labor bodies left nothing undone to provide entertain ment for the visitors. President Com perS responded to these at the opening session on Monday after which the con vent1on got down to routine business and the mass of work began.
 Among the important questions brought up at the outset in the form of Var1ous resolutions were: Labor's non partisan political activity, of the people and defeating the candidates of special interests; the. negative policy of Con- gress during the present session; the CummlnS- -Esch railroad bill and anti strike legislation; the Kansas industrial court act; the industrial conferences and attempts to abrogate collective bar gaining; injunctions and anti-labor court decisions; Attorney General Palmer's maladministratton of the De- partment of, Justice; the Boston police, miners and steel strikes; legislation re- str1ct1ng the rights of Federal em- ployes; the high cost of living, prof. teer1ng and the inadequate wage pre- ya1ling in many industries; better pay for teachers
 President Connpers made his annual address and report and was strong and vigorous III his denunciation of those responsible for conditions as they now exist throughout the land and declared Labor's def to all attempts to shackle 1t for the benefit of the interests. Any attempt to shackle labor must be re- sented at all costs, he declared, and the convention bounded to its feet in SUD- port Of the sentiment.
 have no fear as to what the re suits will be-" he said. "As long as 1 have life and my. mind is not inn pared 1 shall stand for the right of the men and women toilers of the world to be free, untramme1led and rn owned by any force"
 he one who fails to understand" MT. Gompers continued, "tilat there IS law of compensation in all the life of the world, fails to understand the de velopment of human life and pro- gress."
 MT. Gompers urged organized labor to hold itself in leash and use its power of force and influence in modera- ton, but asserted that all the workers must be kept 'ton the firing line"
 No one can hurt us or injure our movement or destroy 1t but ourselves" said the labor chief i'll warning delegates against ultra-radica1 movements.
 After paying a glowing tribute to Canada and her labor organizations, MT. Gompers said:
 of Canada that holds so much good will for Canada as the American Fed eration of Labor
 In explaining that there was a mis- understanding of the term "interna- tlonal" as used in connection with the federation, MT. Gompers asserted 1t should not be confused with the ''in- ternationale" of Europe.
 Il don't know any body of men," he said, that IS more out of harmony with that so-called 'internatfona1e' than the American Federation of Labor There is, however, an international feeling on the part of labor that the time has come when tyranny and in justice shall come to an end wherever 1t exists"
 After his address President Gompers left for Chicago where he appeared be- fore the republican national convention to demand protection of Labor in the platform. Vice-President Duncan pre- sided i'll his absence.
 The report of the executive council was also made early i'll the week and showed phenomenal growth in the past year. The actual paid-up mem bership to April 30, 1920, was 4,078,74O consisting of 36,741 local unions en- rolled in no national or international unions and 1,266 local trade or federal labor unions, directly affiliated With applications pending from organizations representing practically a half-rnillion more the Federation has in truth grown gigantic since its inception in 1881 with about 30000 members. The report also showed receipts of $1,121,74611 during the year; expenses, including contribu- tions to big strike funds of $o17, ,765.65, leaving a balance i'll the treasury of $203, ,980.46 of which $164 4O7434 is in the defense fund to protect members who have been forced to strike, and need aid in that or other ways. The reports were voluminous and enlighten- ing.
 The convention naturally will be en- 1vened by many spirited and some bit ter discussions, free speech being the slogan and all having a chance to pre- sent views upon the floor The recent steel strike and the aid given finally by the Federation early started some dis sension which is expected to last throughout the session and not be