New-York tribune., 1920-06-12

labor n'i' - De use Of the situa-
tion and err plan to have the
convent'oN q committee to
invcstiga,o ehe next wear the
feasibility oi e nzing labor party
and report at thc 1921 convention. If
they get sufficient support for this pro-
posai, they are prepared to place 1t be-
fore the convention early next week
The only resolution adopted by the
convention to-day provided that every
effort be made by the organized labor
movement to the end that schools, hos
pitals, asylums and other similar pub
lie or private institutions, factories, as
we'll as other forms of buildings re-
curing proper care against the dan
gers of fire, shall be provided with ap-
proved appliances for the prevention
of fire" Organized labor was also
urged to aid in enforcing legislation
property"
Despite the fact that the convention
is being held on British soil, Matthew
Woll, vice-president of the Federation,
declared tonight that the Irish resolu-
ton would be taken up for discussion
and adopted by the delegates.
James Simpson, of Toronto, vice
president of the Canadian Trades and
Labor Congress, said that if the FEEDER
alton wants to discuss Ireland that is
their privilege.
"a convention is beng held in Mon
treal," he added, "and there can be
tiol. Besides, doubt very much If this
convention will go further on the Irish
question than did the British Trades
Congress in st. Andrews Hall, Glas
Cow"
Several of the Canadian delegates
announced to-day that they would not
participate in any debate of the Irish
question, but would leave the matter
entirely in the hands of the American
delegates.
Plumb Assails Rail Managers
Charges that arrangements of Ameri-
can railroads are "dishonest" were
made by Glenn Plumb, Of Washington,
originator of the Plumb plan for public
ownership of the railroads, in address
ing the convention. They could not be
otherwise under the present system In
the United States which "surrounds
them with temptation" he said.
There is every inducement to be
dishonest at the present time," he
said "They cannot be condemned. l
would not trust my own integrity as a
leader of a great railroad"
ed, was the solution Of the problem, as
it would relieve the managements Of
railroads of "the damaging temptation
and give them an opportunity to be
honest" as they would be under the
democratic control of the public.
The speaker cited the management
of the Pennsylvania Railroad in sup
port Of his charges, asserting that
the Interstate Commerce Commission
reports showed that officials of that
company were stockholders in from
four to twenty-nine corporations SELL
ing supplies to the railroad.
Were they interested in the rail
road because they were interested in
these concerns?" asked Mr.. Plumb,
cor were they interested in these con-
Germs because they were directors of
the Pennsylvania?
"No man can serve two masters.
It never had been done and cannot
be done if men are honest. The only
man that can serve two masters is a
thief, and he can serve neither one"
The speaker declared, however, that
the Pennsylvania Railroad is mo worse
off than any other railroad" z
After outlining his plan to the con-
vention, Mr.. Plumb declared chat it
would take the railroads out of politics
in which they were born, in which they
thrived and lived, and by which they
have got to die"
He appealed to the Federation to
support his plan in order to give the
public ownership and democratic con-
troll of the railroads."
The convention gave Mr.. Plumb q
! tremendous ovation, voted to have his
address printed in the proceedings and
suggested that it be distributed
throughout the country to workers
Declaring that the Merchants Asso-
citation and other business interests in
New York City were raising fund of
S5,000,000 to carry on an "open shop
war; James F. Costello, of the Brook
lyn Central Labor Council, asked the
convention to support the striking
transportation workers. He received
unanimous consent to introduce a reso-
luton to this effect. The resolution
was referred to a committee.
THE recent developments in New
York" said Mr.. Costello, "makcs it i'm
perative that this federation takes
emphatic action"
Journeymen BARRIERS notified the con.
vention by telegram that it endorsed
the federation's nonpartisan politica
policy and was opposed to any thire
party proposal.
The San Francisco Labor Council in.
troduced a resolution calling for In
vestigation of the salmon canning
industry on the Pacific Coast.