The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1920-11-20
Organized Labor Adopts De-
termined Policy to Get Rid of
the Anarchist Element
STEEL STRIKE LEADERS
KICKED OUT OF OFFICE
Conservative Element in Union
Forces Realizes That America
Will Not Stand Bolshevist
Policies

TO eliminate radicalism from any
control i'm organized labor and to
meet tho menace OF increasing
unemployment are being taken by
the American Federation OF La
Dor through it's executive council
In session here.
Already decisive victory over
radical elements within the or
gapization has been achieved at
one point. and the far reaching
nature OF the conferences of the
council for week past, dealing
with economic problems, appear
ed tonight to foreshadow some
action looking to closer coopera-
tion between labor and capital
to meet unemployment.
Conservative leaders in the fed
GRAFTON have pounded away on
the radical question for several
months. insisting on q more de-
termined stand by the controll-
ing body. but reports Of increasing
unemployment have now brought
that subject into a position Of
equal importance.
Although leaders were reticent
today, II developed that there was
q feeling among certain members
OF the council that 1t should deal
cmphatically with the attempts
OF radicals TO bore from within.
They were said to feel that con-
scrva tism must characteriZe la
boris leadership. 2
This sentiment was shown on
t~o premiyes: First, that organ
lied labor can not hope to exert
great power in ensuing years af-
ter Its foundations are weakened
by the permeation OF certain rad
tcai doctrines. and, second, that
the next administration will be
conservative. AS to the latter. it
was said In some quarters, labor
could gain little from the new
congress unless il established
policies of conscrvative nature.
In the reorganization Of the
committee to unionize the steel
workers. the conservative element
showed its strength. 1t eliminated
from tho committee, John j.
FitzPatrick, chairman, ard Will
liam Il. Foster. secretary. both
of whom participated in the di.
rection OF the steel strike last win
ter around which clustered init
mated and outspoien radicalism.
FjtzPatrick was replaced by NJ.
r. Tighc, recognized conscrva-
tive in labor policies. and Foster
gave place TO J. G.. Brown, also a
known conservative.
President Gompers Of the fed
Grafton has declared against the
unrestricted admission of radicals
from Europe on several occasions
aRd the federation itself Is having
no intercourse with foreign labor
groups Of a radical turn.
Federation leaders expect to
GO before congressional commit
tees at every opportunity to check
the rush of immigrants from rad
ical sections of Europe and Asia.
Increased restrictions will be urg-
ed. II was said.
The department of labor made
public today statistics showing
that during October there were
decreases in the number Of en-
ployees in ten industrial plants as
compared with October a year
ago. while only four plants had
enlarged payrolls.
IL was declared that the re-
ductions In employees. partic-
ulariy I'm the textile industry. had
become OF importance only this
fall and reports obtained by va
rious branches OF the govern
ment were said to Indicate furth-
er decreases in scores of these
plants.
Speakers I'm the executive
council conferences continue to
blame capital for autocratic and,
In some cases. inefficient manage
ment. II was said, the council
was described. however. as pro-
ceeding towards the esta ablish-
ment OF a policy which em-
pioyeis might indorse should un-
employment compel labor to ask
Tor jobs rather than ask what tho
employer will pay.
The number OF men and wo-
men without work now was said
10 point to a reduction I'm the
number OF controversies between
labor and capital this winter.
While labor officials refused 20
admit existence Of the situation.
government data reported an cvi.
dent desire among more work.