New-York tribune., 1920-06-12
a. f. L. Leaders
Threatening to
Join Democrats
Chiefs, Angered at Labor
60 Plank of Republicans,
Will Put Matter Up to
the Montreal Convention
Seek Aid at San Francisco
Delegate From Brooklyn
Introduces Resolution
"a OH Port Strike Here

MONTREAL, June 10.-The Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor, in convention
here, made preparations tonight to
offer the support of organized labor to
the Democratic party in return for it's
acceptance Of labor's platform demands
which leaders declare the Republican
party has ignored.
Labor leaders announced tonight
that the subject would be placed be-
fore the federation's convention to-
morrow. The first step, they said,
would be condemnation of the Re-
publican party, to be followed by an
appeal to the Democratic party for In
corporation of labor's policy in its
platform.
Samuel Gompers and other leaders
were in session late to-day preparing
a plan of action. They declined to
divulge their decision, but indicated
drastic action against the Republi-
can party would be proposed"
The labor plank adopted by the Re-
publican convention was condemned by
MIR. Gompers, who referred especially
to the sectioa of the plank providing
for the settlement Of public utilities
strikes by tribunals similar to the
Esch Cummins transportation act of
1920.
Gompers' Comment
The plank, Mr.. Gompers asserted,
was directly contrary to what labor
had demanded of the Republican
party.
We had asked the convention to 90
on record in favor of the repeal of
the compulsory arbitration sections of
the Transportation Act, "he added, "but
the Republicans appear to have not
only refused our suggestion, but would
extend the section to all utilities"
When asked what would be the re-
suit of the rejection Of labor's demand
by the Republican party, Mr.. Gompers' s
only comment was:
You may draw your own Inference"
The platform adopted by the Repub-
lican convention was termed "an out
rage and an affront to working people"
in statement by Mr.. Woll. He de-
clared it is "a document with which
Wall Street and the steel trust ought
to be highly pleased"
Mr.. Woll said the platform gives
what l take to be a pledge that the
United States will police Mexico for
the benefit of organized oil, mineral
and mining appetites.'
The platform promises no relief
4iOiti VitS Pio!ilteIS anu mas INe enron
terry to propose continued submission
to heartless exploitation" the state
ment added. The American people are
determined to find relief from prof.
teering. Nothing so intimately affects
them in their daily lives. On this point
the platform is disdainful of the well
fare of the people. We are forced to
the conclusion that the Republican
party proposes to protect it,
Delegates and labor officials showed
considerable sentiment for the for.na.
tion of labor party. Mr. Gomper.
declined to com--ent on the possibility
of labor abandoning it's non partisan
political policy by putting labor party
in the field.
Those close to Mr.. Gompers, how
ever, asserted that the action of the
Republican party would have no effect
on the non-partisan political program
They said there was mot the slightest
possibility" of labor putting party in
the field this year.
Pacific Coast delegates, advocates OF