The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-05-27

the other, I'd choose the red fig
every time. and If l had a red
flag in one hand and the Ameri-
can flag standing for autocracy
and industrial slavery IN the
other. I'd still choose the red
flag
What Martin actually said, ac-
cording to Barlow, was that IL he
had san American flag in one
hand and the black and yellow
flag of autccracy and slavery in
the other, he'd choose the Amerf-
can flag every time, and II he
had an American flag in one hand
and the red flag standing for
autocracy and industrial slavery
in the other, he'd still choose
the American flag.
"The Messenger has not a copy
OF the speech by Martin Martin
has left the city and could not
statement to give 10 the Messen-
ger before leaving the city and
the only Information this paper
has OF the sueged misquotation
is through Bariow's talk A rep
resentative of the Messenger this
morning made an effort TO get a
copy OF the speech of Martins,
but none could be found at the
convention hall The matter was
taken up with several delegates
who promised TO wire Martin,
who is at Sioux City, this noon,
asking him to furnish the Mes
senger with a statement and copy
OF the exact wording OF that por-
ton OF his talk in which he is
alleged to have been njsquoted.
THE Messenger during the
labor convention, as at all times.
has made every effort to give an
accurate report, based solely on
what has happened or what was
said. The amount OF news mat
ter that is handled daily is large
and despite many precautions, 1t
would seem, mistakes are bound
to creep in. When mistakes do
occur, this paper stands ready at
all times to make full correc-
tions."
II is evident that In the futur:
ONE persons who have a groucl
gafnst organized labor may readii.
pread such Interpretations to harm
rganized labor for the purpose o
,stering their selfish motives.
We therefore appeal to your sense
( Justice and fairness to publish
his communication, which will pu
different view on this controversy
nd to give the public more accu
ate account of the sane and conser
alive action of the convention, We
-ish to quote a despatch by l.. J
wilson sent from Fort Dodge to ths
les Monies Register and Leader:
Sane and conservative leader
ship Of organized labor in Iowa
was manifested at the state fed
Grafton convention in session
here all week. From the first
tap Of President Fred Canfeld's
gavel to the last tap which sig
nifed adjournment the conven-
ton pursued its course on an
even keel of unionism, co-opera-
ton and conservatism.
at no time during the conven-
ton did any OF the 400 accredited
delegates from various unions IN
Iowa offer a radical resolution or
address. Whatever radical
thought, il it may be called such,
was introduced into the confer
ence, came from speakers not ac-
credited delegates to the fedora
ton meeting. And perhaps In
passing il might be well to say
some of the expressions OF out
side speakers were more tnan
radical.
iowa union labor Is Thoroughly
set in its collective mind when
discussing the right to organize,
to seek closed shop, and to
strike. It believes that the right
to organize comes well within the
lines of the constitution pertain
ing to the pursuit of happiness
and contentment.
"AIl these points were brought
out by various labor men OF Iowa
with whom the writer has talked
during the last week. Labor
leaders like Fred Garfield, fedora
ton president; Charles b. Cam
of Dubuque, vice president
President ]. C. Lewis of the Mine
workers; James Steadman OF the
Locomotive Engineers; John F.
Cay, secretary of District Thir-
teen Mine Workers, and others
uphold plans calling for labor
organization and af1fiation, as
well as condemning the process
of strike breaking through in
junction.
ut LIZ from just such men that
+ba anrvcy ~ fha recent federu-
ton meeting Is taken. Not one
or these men or in fact any other
delegate approached by the
writer during convention week