Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-02-23
SERIOUS ISSUES
|. SEEN BY G0MPERS.
Labor Leader Forecasts At
taoks by 'PIutocratic Reaction
or European Insanity
FREEDOM CHIEF CONCERN
RN the Associated Press

Washington, Feb 23.--Tssucs ot tho
s'most serious character affecting our
peoplc and our republic" are faced by
organized labor. Samuel Gomp"rs,
president Of the American Federation
Of Labor, declared here today in a
statement AZ the opening of tho cNtraor
dinary conference of representatives
Of national and international unions.
at is not possible to forecast the
manner in which the conference will
deal with these issues" he said. but
A. Is certain that tho thought expressed
will he for the benefit Of our country
and for the advancement of tho inter
ests, standards and freedom of our peo-
pie"
The issues lin the main arc known
TO all. though not understood by oil.
said Mr.. Gompers, adding that our
concern is for the democratic institu-
tions Of our country and for the safe.
guarding of our freedom wherever those
things may be attacked, whether tho
attacks are made by rlutocratic reaction
or by the insidcuS propaganda OF Eu-
yopc8n insanity.
In opening the conference Mr.. Com.
pers outlined the issues before il and
submitted the recommendations of the
executive council, details OF which II
was stated will not be made pubic untl'
they have been acted upon.
Attending the conference were more
than 200 representatives of organMcu
labor from over the country
Counter Offensive Proposed
One of the proposals before the con .
N,,hliCity Camnn1HO
by the federation to offset the prop" :
randa of the enemies Of union labor.
Federal and state legislation to tur-
ther the cause Of organized labor also
I, n he considered by the conference,
which proposes to slit out the whole
question Of the "opcn shop.
The conference, union leaders said, is
.,nected 70 determine the attitude the
celebration shall take in its relation
With tho incoming Republican admin
istrstior. Survey of industrial "ondi-
tions throughout tn" country was being
taken by labor leaders here for today :
meeting and all agreed that N" pres
ent depression was III" worst IN" fed e
Grafton has faced in years.
"Thc coal mining industry has boon
especially hard hit. said John l..
Lewis. president Of the United Min"
w NOrkPrS O1 .NUl'Tl'b'
"Productiou is less than CA p"r cent
of normal. We have 100 900 men Vhr
have not done any work since tho first
of the year. The miners who are work
ing are only getting from two to three
days a week
Michael Tighc. president Of tho Anna
zamated Association Of Iron. Steel anc
Tin Workers. said he had never seer
conditians 70 bad, but added ne believed
the worst will soon BE- over. as som" ot
the mills already are starting un.
Conditions in tho metal trades were
described as bad by \ W. Rerres heaC
of the metal trades department of thu
federation There is. however, s0mt
Improvement in the automobile indus
try, he said. but hc reported work Il
the shipbuilding industry a. slow witt
little improvement in sight.
"ThouSands Of our mon are ont "
work" said William Johnston. presi
dent of the international Association o
NIachinsts. The railroad situation il
especially bad. hundreds of worker
being laid off because of reduced wOrh
ing forces.
The present industrial depression anC
widespread unemployment. leaders said
would not d"trr tho federation in il
plan 10 combat attempts ~ furthr
reduce wages and iuauguruto the 'op"r
shop"
President Gompors is presiding at n
conference. the sessions ui which ar
being held in tho federation h"adquar
tprs. There a-" NOR" than 200 dele
gates present, IN" majority Of thor
being executive Officers Of variOu
unions.