The Connecticut labor press., 1920-09-11
CONFERENCE URGED
 TO ACT ON REPEAL 1. OF CANT STRIKE
President Gompers in Letter to Secretary of Kansas Labor
 Leader Asks for Action.
ALL STATE BODIES TO ACT
American Federation of Labor to Give All Aid Possible
 to Kill the Bill.

Denouncing the Court of Industrial Relations law of Kansas as most vicious measure designed to establish compulsory labor, Samuel Gompers. president of the American Federation of Labor, in a letter to the Central La l urges the holding of conference to outline statewide campaign for the abolition of this law.
 The united forces of Labor and the farmers should seek the repeal of this law, says President Gompers in his letter. If this IS endorsed, the next legislature will go farther, as the gov ernor of your state appears to have made 1t his fife work to hamper the advancement of labor and the farmers.
 By a cieverly conceived propaganda many farmers have been led to believe that the law would not affect their in- terests. But should they seek to bet ter their economic conditions through their organizations the law can be and undoubtedly will be used to defeat their activities.
 Through the non-partisan political campaign being conducted by the work
 
 ture can be questioned as to their stand on bill to repeal the law Those op- posing 1t should be defeated.
 T wish you would write me of the sentiwent in your locality with regard to the law and make such recommenda- tons as may occur to you because of your knowledge of local conditions that will be of assistance in carving on the purpose of the campaign to se- cure repeal of the law"
 The Kansas conference will be under the direction of Charles Harn1in. sec retary of the Kansas State Federation of Labor, whose headquarters are in Pittsburgh, Kansas.
 The letter of President Gompers to Secretary Hamlin, outlining the urgency for the repeal of Governor Aliens court is as follows:
 Washington, D. C., Aug. 30, 1920. MT. Charles E. Hamlin, Sec'y,
 Kansas State Federation of Labor,
 Labor Temple,
 Pittsburgh, Kansas Dear Sir and Brother
 The Montreal convention. of the American Federation of Labor. held June 7-l9, directed the executive coun- Gil to cooperate with the organized la Dor bodies of Kansas Tn an endeavor to secure the repeal of the Court of Industrial Relations law
 While the workers of Kansas un- doubtedly are stirred as never before over the legislative invasion of their rights still, in order to effect the re- peal of the law, the widest publicity of its dangerous, character should be sought Every voter. in Kansas should know that the law provides for invol- untary servitude in violation of the 18th to the constitution of the United States.
 Not only organizations of labor and the farmers but all other groups of citizens united in associations can be persecuted through provisions of the law The executive council of the American Federation of Labor desires to be of aid in the campaign to secure tis repeal It should be made the lead ing issue in the coming elections. Every candidate for the legislature who re- fuses to pledge himeslf to vote for it's repeal should be opposed. The slogan. Elect your friends and defeat your enemies could never be carried out to better advantage or with greater need than in Kansas at the present time
 In order to gain results, in order that unselhsh, true, right thinking citi- zens will be elected to the legislature, a statewide organization of Labor and the farmers should be formed.
 "A copy of this letter is being sent to all central bodies in Kansas with the request that the proper arrangements be made for all to work unitedly. Diff ferences of opinion on minor matters should be set aside in order to aid Tn bringing success to the greater cause the repeal of the Court of Industrial Relations law A conference should be called by the State Federation of Labor of representatives of all central bodies and local unions possible.
 "I wish you would inform me as soon as possible by letter of the senti- nent as you see 1t in Kansas with re- gard to the act and the efforts being made by its supporters and defenders o re-elect members of the legislature who votd for it.
 "Enclosd you will find copy of the communication to all central bodies in Kansas. l have suggested that con- terence of representatives of all these bodies and the State Federation of La DOT be held. I hope you will use your official influence to make 1t a success.
 With kindest regards and best wish ,s,EI remain,
 Yours fraterna1fy,
 SAMUEL GoMPERs,
 President
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