New-York tribune., 1920-06-11
A. F. of l.. Wipes
Out Color Line
Among Unions
Stormy Session ON the Verge
of Race War at Times.
With Black Delegates
Resenting Term s.Niggero
Fought by Rail Clerks
Convention Provides for
Organization Campaign
Among Office Workers

MONTREAL, June 10.-Thc Ameri-
can Federation of Labor, in it's annual
convention here to-day, wiped out the
color line and warned its affiliated in
ternational unions that negro workers
must have full and equal mem bership
with white men.
Ihe action came at the end of a
stormy session which nearly resulted
IN a race war between delegates from
the Southern states and the negroes
and their sympathizers.
rejecting the recommendation of It's
organization committee, the Federation
for the first time in history threatened
the autonomy of an affiliated union by
requesting the Brotherhood of Railway
Clerks to give the negro freight
handlers, express and station en-
Pioyees full membership and eliminate
from its constitution the words "white
only"
The committees report of non-con.
currence on the ground that the Fed.
Grafton had no power to interfere with
the constitution of an affiliated union
imrediately drew the fire of the negro
delegates and those of several North
ern states, chiefly Illinois and New
York.
Accused of Betrayals
There was q volumnous exchange Of
oratory. in which the negroes charged
taxation without representation" and
determination" to which their op-
ponents replied with accusations of be-
tfayal by negro workers OF whites in
recent labor disputes.
Indignation Of the. negro delegates
was aroused several times when
speakers referred to them as "nigger
freight handlers" and their objection
TO such remarks was sustained by the
acting chairman, James Duncan They
charged that the use of word "nigger"
was SANDER to the race.
FRANK Morrison, secretary of the
American Federation of Labor. made
an unsuccessful attempt to halt the
debate by explaining that arrange
ments were under way to get all unions
to take in negro members
Representatives of the Brotherhood
OF Railway Clerks declared they were
taxing care of the negro question and
giVlng Just attention to negro griev-
ances. They asked the convention to
leave the matter in their hands for
disposition.
Softened to Request
Several motions were made to de-
manu- tldt tne railway clerks abolish
the color line in their constitution or
forfeit their charter in the feder. s-en.
One of these was later modified to re
quest" the brotherhood to give the
negro full membership. 1t was &C.
cepted by an overwhelming majority.
This. believe, will settle the negro
problem In our organization for all
time," said Chairman Duncan, follow
ing the adoption of the motion. Our
affiliated unions must now understand
that the color line is abolished"
Other resolutions adopted provided
fort
Formation of an international police
Esen's union as soon as membership of
local unions reaches 5000
Sending, of representatives to Colo
rado, Utah and Wyoming to aid the
state federations in organization work.
Sending of assistance to the Detroit
central body to organize all non-union
workers n that city.
An organization campaign among
Office workers.
Granting Of charter to the inter