Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-06-15
ORGANIZED LABOR
WILL APPEAL To
DEMOCRATIC PARTY

MONTREAL, June 13.-Organized
labor today threw down the gauntlet
to the Republican party and now will
appeal to the Democrats for recog-
milton of it's platform demands.
This decision came when the
American Federation Of Labor, in
ly condemned the Republican plat
form daopted in Chicago as a docu-
ment defiant in its defense of the
enemies f labor" and one that pro
poses an industrial enslavement and
as life ITSELF"
Declaring that the Republican
party had turned it's back upon Ia
bor," the convention instructed Sam
uel Gmpers and Matthew VOL, presi-
dent and 'ice president of the Fed
Grafton to submit in identical form"
at the San Francisco the proposals
of labor which were presented by
them to the Republicans in Chicago.
In lengthy report, bitterly as
planks Of the Republican platform,
President Gompers and Mr.. VOL
brought the matter before the dele
gates. The labor leaders indictment
of the party was greeted with en-
thusiastic cheers and applause, while
ll1SScS anu UOOS IIl6
reading of several of the Republi-
can planks.
Platform Condemned
Without debate the report was ap-
proved and the Federation went on
record as condemning the Republican
platform on the grounds that it:
Denies labor the right to strike
against the government. And re-
mains silent on the right of wage
earners to organize trade unions and
attain Juice by collective bargain
ing.
Offers no remedy for the high
cost of living and denies the i'm
portance of profiteering.
Repudiates labor's demand for re
peal Of compulsory arbitration sec
lions of Esch-Cummins transporta-
Denies lawful right of workers to
cease working in the plank on peace
full arbitration of wage disputes.
Aims to undermine sovereignty of
the Mexican people and fulfill the
hopes and aims of those whose sole
object is the exploitation of the
people and boundless resources of
Mexico"
Fails to urge congressional legis-
lation to prevent federal courts from
usurpation of authority in declaring
congress.
Fails to favor federal .compensa-
ton law and election of federal
judges by the people for six year
terms.
Threatens the right of the people
to bring about "a change in the ad-
ministration and laws of the govern.
ment by peaceful means as is guar
anteed by the constitution"
Has Abandoned Heritage
The heritage left to the Republi-
can party by Abraham Lincoln, de-
al T4nI Oh 1<.o Il ~
the platform which embraces every
opportunity to strengthen The con-
cept of repression and coercion CT
the working people"
Before adjourning until Monday.
the convention accepted the invita-
to recommend a representative to
represent the federation at the COM
ing meeting of the international la
Dor commission which was establish
ed under the League of Nations.
An attempt to place the federation
on record in support of strikes by
union school teachers failed.
Condemnation of the Republican
party. by the federation's convention
was declared tonight in a statement
dent Of the Carpenters and Joiners
Union of America. to be an attempt
by Samuel .Gompers to play organ
lied labor into the hands of the
Democratic party.
Mr.. Hutchinson. in his statement
asked Mr.. Gompers if the fedora
TONS non-partisan political program
has been abandoned. He charged
that the conventions action was not
in accordance with it's policy.
81 believe the committee should
have made it's report to the conven-
ton without criticism" he added.
"Labor's demands should have been
presented to all parties, including
the Socialists, before any criticism
ocrats turn down labor. how are we
going to condemn them? To the I'M
biased observer, it would appear
that Mr. GOmperS is irving tO