Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-06-18
VETERAN LAu$S2!'......
CHIEF SUFFERS '''
FIRST LICKING
IN MANY YEARS.
A, F, of |, Head, Who Op-
posed Endorsement Of
Government Ownership of
Railroads Showed Under,
PUTS UP HARD FIGHT
TO DEFEAT PROPOSAL
Says It Is a Step Toward
'Enslavemeht of Workers
as Government Employees
Is Mildly AppIauded.

,sr MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED ~,ssI
Montreal, June 1.-THE Amer
lean Federation of Labar's en-
dorsement today of government
ownership of the railroads, at its
annual convention here. was de-
Clared by labor leaders tonight to
have been the first genuine defeat
Samuel Gompers, its veteran pres
ident, has suffered in years The
final vote was 29.059 for govern
ment ownership and S,3i9 against.
The decisive vote, ii is reported,
prompted the labor chief to state
before the convention late today
that he was not quite sure" he
would be q candidate for re-elec-
ton.
Mr.. Gompers fought hard against
the conventions action, declaring
it was a step toward the "enslave-
ment of the workers as govern
ment employees" who, he said
had been denied many political
and economic rights under the
past administrations. He received
only a mild ovation.
Combine Defeats Gompcrs.
The United Mine Workers and
the powerful railroad workers or
ganizations combined to bring
about Mr.. Gompers' defeat. They
also had the support of the ma
chinists' union and the metal trade
organization. all powerful voting
factors.
The carpenters union and the
building trades organization stood
loyalty by Gompers. but were
overwhelmed.
After the federation's action, the
supported Mr.. Gompers, are said
to be placed in an embarrassing
position. They must now take
steps to bring about government
ownership, which they have op-
posed, or resign, it was stated.
Supporters of Mr. Gompers de-
clared tonight that they woul1
urge him to retain leadership of
the federation and stand up for
reelection for the thirty-ninth
time.
His Salary Increased.
Despite the protest and desires
Of Mr.. GOmpers, the convention
increased his salary as president
from $4,000 to $4,000 a year.
In making an appeal to the del
egates not to give him an increase,
Mr.. Gompers declared that $40
600 is all sufficient for a man liv-
ing in the ordinary modes of life
to satisfy him and his needs"
The salary of Secretary Frank
NJ ~ s,1g A
$500 to $4,000 year. Organ
izers' wages were increased from
$4S to $50 per week and their
travelling allowances from SO to $S
per day. This was declared to be
necessary owing to the high cost
of living.
The convention called upon con-
gress to enact necessary legisla-
tion to establish the United States
employment service as a perma-
nent bureau in the department of
labor, with ample appropriations"
The executive council was in
struCted to render all possible as
sstance to abolish present unrea-
sonable speed tests, Ike measuring
devices and :he unreasonable
SldllldIuS VI per SDlictl tllltltuCy Ill
the postal service"
The council will aid civil service
to obtain the right to
a hearing and to appeal from the
officials in cases involv-
ing demotion or dismissal"
The federation adopted a deci-
sion that the rights of free speech
and free press and assembly are
inalienahle ones and are beyond
tho power of any judge, court. leg
islative body or administration Of
fetal to qualify, modify. abrogate
or suspend"
The proposal of James Duncan
of Seattle for an Initiative and
clause in the fedora
tiOn's constitution was defeated
posal would have permitted the
submission of any given PROPOSE
tion to the whole membership" of
the organization upon demand of
) per cent of the local unions.
Military Training Condemned.
Military training in the schools
was condemned as "the first step
in the development of mechanical
and unquestioning obedience which
results in the killing of in
itiative." Compulsory military
training was also declared "un-
undesirable and un-
American.
The moral support of the fed
Grafton was voted to the 10000
fur workers in New York
city.
The membership of the executive
council was ordered increased from
a'even to fifteen members by the |
of four new vice presi- |
tents.
4 resolution to elect the officers
If the federation h. the popular |
yote of the membership was de-
eated.