The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1920-12-03
Special Investigation of Labor
Conditions Will Be one of
Numerous Demands ;
FEDERATION PRESIDENT
FLAYS CORPORATIONS
Program Would Restrict All
immigration to u. S. for ,
Next Two Years II
(By United Press

| Wy oAAICO ACSS)
The United Press asked leaders Of
business and labor for an interview
on what legislation they believed
congress should pass to benefit their
industries or organizations and im-
prove conditions in general. Con-
gress convenes Monday and the first
interview was with Samuel Gompers,
president Of the American Federation
of Labor.
Washington. Dec 3.---(By Ralph
Couch. United Press correspondent
Especial investigation Of labor con-
ditions throughout the entire United
States and Of big corporations DEAL
ing in food. fuel, clothing and other
necessities, will be demanded by con-
gress early in December, President
Samuel Gompers Of the American
Federation Of Labor, said
big corporations are closing fac
tories, deliberately curtailing the
transportation" Gompers charged,
with the aim Of perpetuating the
prices of the war period, during which
many corporations made profits equal
ling their entire capital investment.
Labor is ready to lay before con-
gress a complete program Of anti
profiteering proposals. Gompers
said. additional demands will be
made for passage Of new measures
intended to increase the well-being Of
the great mass of people,"
The legislation as suggested by
Gompers in the anti profiteering pro-
gram includes: Cd Immediate pas
sage of laws regulating, the meat pack
ing and cold storage industries; (2l
Revision of the tax laws to take from
corporations the excess profits made,
during the war period OF 1916 to
1920; (3) Government assistance and
encouragement to cooperative dis
tributing organizations to get sup
plies direct from farmers and manu-
facturers to the consumer; (4) Pub
LEGATION monthly by the labor depart
ment Of the cost of production and
manufacture Of staple commodities;
80 Establishment by the government
Of permanent body to investigate
production costs and prices, to which
body the federal and income tax
rates should be assigned.
"Repeal of the Esch-Cummins
transportation laws >and prohibition
Of all European and Asiatic immi-
grafton for Il period of at least two
years were two other measures which
labor will require in its fight with
congress when it convenes,' GOmpers
said. He also said that reactiOnary
interests are encouraging a world
food Of immigration to the tnlted
States with the hope of creating la
Dor surplus resulting in widespread
unemployment.
Hundreds of workers in other coun-
tries ignorant Of actual agricultural
conditions in the United States, are
being lured to forsake their homes
and come to this country. Pic1nres
of high wages which seem like untold
wealth are being painted for these
people BY groups OF interests anxious
to re-cstablish autocracy in industries
and deprive the workers of this coun-
try of benefit that is gained through
organization. The workers IN these
other countries are being victimized.
1t is necessary to point out that the
United States is unable to assinlii;.te
and make good citizens Of all the inn
migrants that are now arriving.
"Amcrican labor is not devotinG
any Of it's activities to any proposals
having for their purpose the closing
of the gates Of opportunity 10 any
man or women, but in justice to
American men and women who have
made sacrifices to elevate their stand
ings and increase the well-beiag Of
the great masses Of people of this
country, it is only fair that the cd
of the great food of persons
anxious to enjoy those benefits, be-.
delayed and regulated so as not to
destroy the progress already made"