Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-06-24
ORGANIZED LABOR WANTS
LEAGUE UNCHANGED
Federation Also Asks 4. s. to Keen
"HandS orr in Mexico

Montreal, June 20.-The American Fed
Grafton Of Labor adjourned it's annual
convention here last night after indorsing
the League of Nations without reserva-
tons.
The closing session of the two weeks
convention was a stormy one. Irish SYM
pathizcrs, supported by the progressive
wing of the federation, opposed the
movement to indorse the League and
throughout the debate on the question
President Samuel Gompcrs had difculty
in maintaining order. His gavel was
smashed in his efforts to quiet the pro-
ceedings.
Mr.. Gompers and tho executive council
will leave Immediately for Washington
to put into operation the program by the
convention. The first move, it was said.
will he launched against the Democratic
National Convention to obtain incorpor-
alton of the federation's program in the
party tomorrow. They will urge also
that the federations non partisan polit-
cal policy. which was unanimously ap-
proved by the convention, he carried out
LABOR DEMANDS OUTLINED
Lahor's program as outlined by the
convention demands
Ratification of the peace treaty
Government ownership. with Democrat
lie operation of railroads.
curb Of profiteerng and high cost of
living.
falling of food and clothing pro1teers
Right to strike and abolition or COM
nulsory 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 necessary
| to maintain the American standard of
/ living.
| Shorter workday. if necessary to pre-
vent unemployment
The League of Nations issue arose
| shortly before adjournment. Its opponents
were unable 10 gather sufficient votes for
a roll call and "A number of irish sym
pathizers jumped to the floor and de-
manded that their votes be recorded as
! mo" in the records.
| President Gompers was compelled Ia
! take the floor in support of the league
when it became apparent that the dele
gates We're swinging to the opposition
Members of the executive council ma de
emphatic appeals in behalf of the
covenant.
The report OF the committee on in.
! ternational relations. which was adopted
| declared that 10 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.
1T is not a perfect document, an6
perfection is not claimed for It," the re-
port added. 1T does, however. mark the
nearest approach to perfection that ever
has been devised for the prevention OF
war. II must meet with the unqualified
approval and support of the American
working people"
Charging that the greed of capitalist.
to exploit" the people of Mexico is thu
cause of the present unrest IN that coun
TRY, the federation demanded that thu
government continue its "hands off
policy toward Mexico.
1--WE arc unaterably opposed to an,
eNcrcia. of force by the United States,
said Tho report adopted by the conVen
ton, go satisfy the desires of thos
Americans whose sole interest in Mexico
is the exploitation of its workers, IL
boundlcss wealth of oil and minerals