Arizona republican., 1920-06-18
GOMPERS BEATEN. BY k r. IF l. IN
 VOTE FUR GOVT RAIL OWNERSHIP
Laborites Overwhelmingly In Favor of Federal Own ership Despite Strong Opposition by President
Republican A. P. Leased Wire1

MONTREAL. June 17-The Amerl- can Federation of Labor's en lorsement today of government ownership of the railroads. al it's annual convention here. was declared by labor leaders tonight to have been the first genuine defeat Samuel Gompers, it's veteran president, has suffered in years. The final vote was 29.959 for government ownership and S.349 against.
 The decisive vote. it is reported, prompted the labor chief to state be fore the convention late today that he was not quite sure" he would be 2 candidate for re election.
 Mir. Gompers fought hard against the conventions action. declaring 1t was step toward the "enslaVement of the workers as government employees" who. he said. had been denied many political and economic rights under the past administrations He received only mild ovation.
 The United Mine Workers and the power of the railroad workers organl- cations combnied to bring about MT. Gomper's defeat. They also had the support of the machinists' union and the metal trade organization, all powerful voting factions.
 Embarrasses Executive Council
 The carpenters union and the build ine. trades organization stood loyalty by Gompers. but were overwhelmed.
 After the federation's action, the eX- ecutfve council whose members sup ported Mir. Gompers. are said to be placed in an embarrassing position. They must now take steps to bring about government ownership, which they have opposed, or resign, 1t was stated.
 Supporters of Mir Gompers declared tonight that they would urge him to retain leadership of the federation and stand up for re- election for the thirty ninth time.
 Despite the protests and desires of MT. Gompers, the convention increased his salary as president from s1O.00O 10 $1200O a year. In making an appeal to the delegates not to give him an increase. Mir. Gompers declared that S10 0oO is all sufficient for man ltv- ing in the oI11inarv mrdes or lie 10 satisfy him and his needs.
 The salary of Secretary Frank Nor rison also was increased from $7,50o to S10,00O- a year. Organizers wages were increased from S4S to $50 per week and their travelling allowance from SC to sS per day. This was de clared to be necessary owing to the high cost of living.
 The convention called up congress to enact necessary legislation to estab- fish the United States employment ser vice as permanent bureau in the department of labor, with ample ap- propriationS
 The executive council was instructed to render all possible assistance to abolish present unreasonable speed tests, time measuring devices and the unreasonable standards Of personal efficiency in the postal service. The council will aid civil service employees to obtain the right 10 hearing and to appeal from the judg- ! VY1e ant pf officials in involving de- motion or dismissal.
 Condemn Military Training Tn Schools
 The federation adopted d decision that the rights of free speech and free press and assembly are inalienaole ones and are beyond the power of any Judgc, 1 court legislative body or administra- tion official to qualify, modify, abro- gate or suspend
 The proposal of James Duncan of l Quincy. Mass for an initiative and referendum clause in the federation's constitution. was defeated after q i lively debate. The proposal would i have permitted the submission of any i given proposition to the whole mem- bership" of the organization upon de- mand of five per cent of the local unions.
 l Military training in the schools was ! condemned as the first step in the l development of mechanical and un- questioning obedience which results in ' the Killing or lnllldllNt. military training was also declared
 unnecessary. undesirable and un- | American.
 The moral support" of the fcdcra- ! tion was voted to the 10000 striking | fur workers in New York city. The membership of the executive council was ordered increased from II to 15 members by the addition of four
 new vice presidents.
 A resolution to elect the officers of the federation by the popular vote of l the membership was defeated.