New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-06-11
A. r. OIL. Wipes
Out Color Line
Among Unions
Stormy Session ON the Verge
of Race War at Times,
With Black Delegates
Resenting Term s'Nigger''
Fought by Rail Clerks
Convention Provides for
Organization Campaign
Among Office Workers

MONTREAL, June 10.-The Ameri-
can Federation of Labor, in it's annual
convention here to-day, wiped out the
color line and warned its affiliated in
ternational unions that negro workers
must have full and equal membership
with white men.
he action came at the end Of a
stormy session which nearly resulted
IN race war between delegates from
the southern states and the negroes
and their sympathizers.
rejecting the recommendation of its
organization committee, the Federation
Tor the first time in history threatened
the autonomy of an affiliated union by
requesting the Brotherhood of Railway
SIefKs to give the negro freight
handlers, express and station en-
ployees full membership and eliminate
from its constitution the words "white
only" '''''
The committees report of non-con,
currence on the ground that the Fed
Grafton had no power to interfere with
the constitution of an affiliated union
immediately drew the fire of the negro
delegates and those of several North
ern states, chiefly Illinois and New
York.
Accused of Betrayals
There was voluminous exchange Of
oratory. in which the negroes charged
taxation without representation" and
determination" to which their op
ponents replied with accusations of be-
trayal by negro workers of whites in
recent labor disputes.
Indignation of the negro delegates
was aroused several times when
speakers referred to them as "nigger
freight handlers" and their objection
70 such remarks was sustained by the
acting chairman, James Duncan They
charged that the use of word "nigger"
was a SANDER to the race.
Frank Morrison, secretary of the
American Federation of Labor, made
an unsuccessful attempt to halt the
debate by explaining that arrange
ments were under way to get all unions
to take in negro members.
Representatives of the Brotherhood
OF Railway Clerks declared they were
taking care of the negro question and
giving Just attention to negro griev-
ances. They asked the convention to
leave the matter in their hands for
disposition.
Softened to a Request
Several motions were made to de-
manu- 1HoI Vie railway clerks abolish
the color line in their constitution or
forfeit their charter in the federsSs5n.
One OF these was later modified to ere
quest" the brotherhood to give the
negro full membership. 1t was ac-
copied by an overwhelming majority.
This. believe. will settle the negro
problem In our organization for all
time" said Chairman Duncan, follow
ing the adoption of the motion. "Our
affiliated unions must now understand
that the color line is abolished"
ifor:
Formation Of an international police
mems union as soon as membership of
local unions reaches 5000.
Sending of representatives to Colo.
rado, Utah and Wyoming to aid the
state declarations in organization work.
Sending of assistance to the Detroit
central body to organize all non-union
workers in that city.
An, organization campaign among
Office workers.
Granting of charter to the inter