South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-06-08
BY RALPH #. COUCH.
CUnited Press stan Correspondent

AChhCh AAc1S otkAH NoFftsp OnuenD.l
MONTREAL. Canada. June T.
-Four million organized workers Of
the United States began framing de-
mands upon presidential candidates
and POLITICAL parties today through
the annual convention of the Amer
ican Federation OF Labor which
opened here with nearly 1000 dele
gates present.
Coming TO the convention fresh
from personal contact with the rank
and file OF union men in all sections.
the delegates plunged Immediately
into consideration OF a comprehen-
sive program of economic. political
and social issues.
The program will be brought
squarely 20 the attention OF leaders
In the republican and democratic
nominating conventions at Chicago
I'D San Francisco.
GOmpers May Dcave.
Prest Samuel Gompers of the fed
Grafton may leave his convention
here before its close to carry labor's
mandate personally 10 the republi-
can convention in Chicago.
Gompers also, as head OF the fed
eratiOn's national non-partisan poll
teal comp align committee, will pre-
sent the program 10 the country as
part OF organized labor's fight
against reelection Of senator's and
congressman listed as enemies.
A preliminary draft OF the pro-
gram, prepared by the federation
executive committee as part Of its
annual report and presented to the
convention practically as the first or
der Of business. is expected TO re-
ceive little amendment from the
delegates who, however. may con
sumo two weeks in considering il be-
fore they accord complete approval.
Program of Labor
Inspired by the Industrial and eco
nOn1tc confusion and strife OF the
past year. the program is regarded
by Gompers and other federation
officials as the most important ever
presented Reviewing the struggles
OF the year. IL demands repeal Of
the Esch-Cummins transportation
act, condemns profiteerinE. scores
Atty. Gen. Palmer on many counts
and presents n detailed plan for new
legislation 10 reduce living costs. The
plan 20 reduce living costs is pre-
scented IN the form Of six demands
which are:
1. Government purchase OF stand
ard commodities direct from pro-
ducers and resale at fixed prices
through regular retail channels.
2. Retirement Of the floating debt
and part OF the funded war debt
through a tax on excessive war
profits extorted from the American
PEOPLE during 1916, 1917, 1915, 1919
and 1920"
g. Extension or powers OF the fed
eral farm loan bank enabling IL 10
advance credit 90 farmers coopera-
tive societies which are mo less vital
and worthy OF support than are the
railroads which were given hundreds
Of millions Of dollars"
4. Control OF credit capital 20 be
taken from those whose chief in
terest Is the emulation of profits"
placed in the hands Of a public
agency and administered by "volun-
tarv and cooperative methods"
5. Labor department TO compile
and issue monthly statements on the
cost OF manufacture OF stable ar
ticles.
s. Esta Enlistment OF government
boards 10 investigate prices and
profits and public inspection Of all
Income and other tax returns.
Wages Must Advance.
1.-THE cost OF living must go no
higher" said the executive commit
tee IN making these recommended
tions. Wages must be advanced in
every case 10 a point at which the
American standard of living is Sc
cure"
Labor department reports were
quoted 20 show that since 1913,
wages generally have advanced but
b5 percent while living costs have
advanced S3.1 percent and in some
cities between go and 100 percent.
Atty Gen. Palmer's campaign 20
reduce living costs was described as
q campaign OF stupidity seeking
only here and there 20 pillory some
triding merchant while permitting
great aggregauons OF capital upon
which enormous proftS have been
reaped 10 escape in The enjoyment
o. "a monumental blunder
The campaign OF the justice de-
partme1t reached the height OF the
ridiculous when 90 solemuly advised
the American people 90 strike n blow
az pr0ttCering by buying cheaper
cuts OF meat This would have con-
stituted a voluntary reduction i'm
standards OF living. e. was developed
before a congress On8l committee
shat The great packing interests had
coOperated IA the conduct OF this
campaign and 10 was admitted BY a