The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-06-15
Plumb Plan Is Opposed by Fed.
Grafton Chief.
Montreal Convention Splits on
Government Control of r. r..
WOMAN MAY GET OFFICE
Labor Delegates Find Women
Workers Demand Recognition.
Plans to Amend Constitution to
Make Move Possible.

Montreal, June 15.-RepeaI OF the
labor section of the Esch-Cummins
transportation act was demanded in .
resolution adopted by the annual con-
vention of the American Federation
of Labor
The vote was unanimous.
Montreal. June 15.-The railroad
department in the annual convention
OF the American Federation of Labor
mere today began to draw plans for a
fight to win the endorsement of the
Plumb plan for government owner
ship of railroads.
Leaders in the fight for endorse
ment are President w. H Johnston
of the International Machine workers
union and ]. H. Franklin of the Boil
ermakers union. Twenty railroad
unions are associated in the nove-
ment. Their officers introduced q
resolution directing the executive
council to back government ownership
and work for repeal of the Esch-Cum-
minis transportation act The resolu-
tons committee yesterday decided to
recommend that no action be taken
on the resolution by the convention.
In Opposition TO Gompers.
The railroad group, in planning to
oppose the plan, is regarded as stag
ing fight directly against Gompers.
Gompers and the executive council
recommended a repeal of the labor
provisions of the Esch- -Cummins trans
portaton act, in submitting the coun-
CHS annual report to the convention
Ihe Gompers plan will be made
known tomorrow by the COMMITTEES
named to reveal the report of the ex-
ecutive council. This committee is
Gompers-controlled
Delegate Max Hayes of Cleveland
| this morning began an unsuccessful
attack against Gompers when he took
the floor and flayed the standing COM
/ DELAYING hai
! Gompers took the floor in defense
OF the committee. Its not fair"
| Gompers shouted. "Ill not allow any
delegate to impugn the motives or
question the sincerity of this commit
| Tee They have been in almost con-
| tinuous session since the convention
opened. They are not delaying their
reports"
/ The committee sustained Gompers
when 1t rejected a motion by Hayes
10 elect a special committee to make
| the other committees get busy.
The convention this morning passed
a second resolution supporting coast
wise longshoremen on strike in New
| York and other Atlantic and Gulf
ports. The resolution was similar to
that passed several days ago. Dele
/ gate Anderson of Galveston told the
convention longshoremen waited near
ly year before calling the strike.
with the hope that the new wage scale
might be adjusted peacefully.
"Strikebreakers and machine guns
are being used in Galveston to intimi-
date the strikers" he said.
May Elect Woman.
| The American Federation of Labor
may elect woman as vice president
for the first time in history at the
fortieth annual convention in session
here.
Mrs. Sarah Conboy of New York,
representative of the Textile Workerx'
union. was believed to have the best
chance of election IL plans carry.
| The American Federation of Labor
has twelve vice presidents who. with
President Gompers and Secretary Nor
rison. form the powerful executive
/ council. The council carries on all
general affairs for organized labor be-
tween conventions of the federation.
| To insure election of a woman. II is
now planned to amend the federation
constitution to create fifteen vice pres
idents. Ten members of the council
are slated for reelection. Two, how
ever. are expected to refuse re-elec-
ton. They are William D. Mahon.
president Of the Amalgamated Street
and Railway Electrical Workers. and
James Duncan. Thus with a change
in the constitution. seven new vice
presidents would be elected