The Washington herald., 1921-06-15
Delegate Fails to Interest
: Convention, and Gives
Up Attempt.
LEADER SAYS ISSUE
is DOMESTIC, ONE
Warns Federation that
Great Britain Will Look
After Situation.

DENVER, june 1l-organized
labor leaders meeting here picked
nm the Irish question, toyed Win IL
a few minutes, and then dropped
IL like a hot coal
The squsbble was short and ap-
parentIy failed TO interest the gress
majority of delegates attending the
neeting OF the American Federa-
tion Of Labor. as many -shusheo
a sneaker who attempted to carry
on the debate
The question was brought up
uhen J. II. Thomas, representing
british Trade Unions, had concluded
his speech. He had not mentioneo
the Irish problem, but devoted his
entire attention to the worlds pres
ent economic conditions.
As he started 20 leave the plat
form. he was handed written
question. drawn up by one of the
delegates askin gthe attitude OF
the british trade unions toward Ire
lands fight for freedom.
DomestIc MATTER. He Says
Thomas said he had purposeiy
evaded taking sides on any ques-
tion" in his speech which could BE
considered purely domestic 20 the
United states or England. indicat-
ing that he thought the Irish ques-
tion was Of purely domestic impor-
tance TO England.
He said. however, that the Brit
ish trade unions were in favor OF a
free ireland. but did not want 20
see IL an independent nation which
could be used as base Of opera
tions during war by enemy coun-
tries.
The speaker warned the fedora
tion not to interfere in the Irish
question. He declared that organ
lied labor 1000 miles away would
not have a chance OF settling .
problem which Egiand had been un-
able to settle in hundreds Of years
Fed on Promises
He said the Irish people had beer
fed on promises which were un-
nned and had been deceived for
hundreds Cf years" Thomas stated
a large part Of the trouble in Ire
land was due 10 the religious dif-
ference between the north ano
south. This was questioned from
the floor by Delegate Timothy Healey
one. of the sympathizers with the
Irish question within the ranks OF
labor.
1T is due entirely 20 political
manoeuvring and the issue was
raised by politicians instead Of re-
ligious animosty," Hesley said. He
was "shushed" when he attempted
to carry on the debate and the
question was dropped.
The Irish question was brought
up on the day devoted TO interna-
uonal labor in the federationi
convention. Thomas said a large
part OF the unemployment and wage
cutting in European allied coun-
tries was due to the policy OF max
ing Germany pay" Through France
getting goods. especially coal. for
nothing from Germany. she was
able TO undersell the other nations
and shipbuilders were put out OF
work through Sonhscation OF enc
my vessels, he said.
Pleads for Disarmament.
James walker. president Of the
Steel Smelt@rs Union OF England,
made a plea for disarmament. W.
F. Bush brought the greetings of
Canadian union men.
The convention took cogniZance
of the renewed outbreak in the
West Virginia coal fields where
5000 miners have been locked out
At the request of John L. Lewis,
president Of the United Mine Work
ers OF America, the convention sus-
pended the rules and passed a
resolution urging the senate te
adopt the johnson resolution pro-
vidinE for a senatorial investiga-
tion into conditions in the "MIngo
county coal fields"
Lewis. in a short and dramatic
speech. outlined the deplorable con-
dition in which the miners OF West
Virginia are living
He declared that il would be nec-
essary for such an investigation
to be made in order to learn the
truth Of the situation there.
Urge United States OwnershIp.
Several resolutions were present.
ed. One handed to the resolutions
committee by the railroad unions,
provided for government ownership
Of railroads and all other corporate
basic industries.
other resolutions opposed compul-
sorry military training, government
control of the meat packing indus
try and ask Endorsement OF the La
Toilette resolution providing for in-
vestigation into charges made by
Andrew Furuseth, that an interna-
tional conspiracy has been formed
to destroy the American merchant
marine and break the Marine
union.