New-York tribune., 1920-06-20
A. F. L. Endorses
League Without
Reservations
Sympathizers Lose Bitter
Fight to Insist on Cove
nant Recognizing Self
Determination for Irish
Plea Made by Compers
Officials Will Open Drive at
Once for Labor Planks
in Democratic Platform

Nun 1 NAL, rNilt IL ne 1IucIl-
can Federation of Labor adjourned its
annual convention here tonight after
ndorsing the League of Nations with
out reservations.
The closing session of the two weeks [
convention was a stormy one Irish !
sympathizers, supported by the pro-
gressve wing Of the federation, op-
posed the movement to indorse the
league, and throughout the debate
President Samuel Gompers had diff
Guilty in maintaining order His gavel
was smashed n his efforts TO quiet
the proceedings
Mr.. Gompers and the executive coun-
ell will leave Immediately for Wash
ington TO put into operation the pro-
gram framed. The first move, it was
said, will be launched against the
Democratic National Convention to
obtain incorporation of the Fedora
tions program in the party fatform
They Will urge also that the Fedora
tons nonpartsan political policy
which was unanimously approved by
the convention, be carried out.
Provisions in Program
Iabor's program as outlined by the
convention demands:
Ratification of the peace treaty.
Government ownership with demo
cratic operation of railroads.
Curb on profiteering and high cost
OF living.
failing of food and clothing
profiteers.
Right to strike and abolition of
compulsory arbitration and anti
strike legislation.
Hands off in Mexico by the United
States government.
Endorsement of the Irish republic.
Right OF collective bargaining
Advances in wages wherever nee
sary to maintain the American stand
ard al living.
Shorter work day if necessary, to
prevent Unemployment.
The League Of Nations issue arose
snort. hetore adjournment. Its oppo-
nents vera unable TO gather sufficient
votes for roll call, and number of
Irlsn sympathl2ers jumped to the floor
and demanded that their votes be re-
corded as no in the records
Gompers Pleads for League
President Gompers was compelled to
take the floor in support of the league,
when II became apparent that the dele
gates were swinging to the opposition.
Members OF the executive council
made emphatic appeals in behalf of the
covenant
The report of the committee on inter
national relations, which was adopted
declared that to reject the league
would 20 indorsing the policy Of greed
hatred and brutal war as the rule that
guides III the settlement of relations
between nations.
1T IS not perfect document, and
perfection is not claimed for it, the
report added. "It does. however, mark
the nearest approach to perfection that
ever has been devised for prevention
Of war. IL must meet with the un-
qualified approval and support of the
American working people"
when has the American Federation
Of Labor failed to place itself on
record for international peace" asked
Mr. Gompers. Il can't recall. The
Federation has endcavored to use its
influence and power to prevent war
Who has no, struggled for such peace
Snail we now reverse the uninter-
rupted policy which we have sup
ported >"
Foundation for Future
speakin., Of disarmament Mr. Cor,-
pers said. even II the In;te6 STATS
should ratify tho Ieaque of Nat;oas
the world vii not 500 d;earr,a,oo,,t
the frs vaar or mavho for daoado
"Rut he added 3JV, ~. 'de do
termining these questions for the i'm
mediate day for which we live. We lay
the foundation for the structure Of
peace and good will for our children
and our childrens children"
Dan MckI!op Of Seattle, led the op-
POSITION to the covenant, because, he
SAID, 1t guarantees the territorial in
tegTity OF the British Empire. He also
declared that the American working
man Goes not understand the full
meaning o. TINS league.
me report oi the committee on In
sefsahona4 helations was character
i"o as an outrage, IN that 1t recon-
.teRded 'he adoption Of league, with
ne provisions Of Article X.
Denver was selected by the Fedora
non for It's 1927 convention. Denver
ci,v 49,, o'lll'iiEil&hl, .he oh,y oo6 oIher
l2,si1 votes On r,otion of tho sov,b,
ern delooate. nn,var Vac docIarad
unanjro,'sIy ee,actnd
A lev,, ,,.a, ..,,~,.a,ooa oe e.
local urion - ds,obl5al b,9raa, ae
Cooperation Tor "nyouo.ino and od