The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-25
CONF PERS INSISTS NEW AUTOCRACyIS
 MENACING AMERICA
Labor Leader Says Grave Crisis ImpendS Because of Concerted "0pen Shop"
 Movement
By Associated Press

Philadelphia, Pa, April 24-Samuel Gompers and Frank Morrison respec- lively president and secretary of the American Federation of Labor adressed large mass meetings here today held in protest against what was described as "the nationwide open shop move ment." The gatherings were held in two of the largest theatres in the city and the crowds were so dense 1t was necessary to hold overflow meetings in the street.
 Tt is my Judgment and conviction, '' declared MT. Gompers, that the Ameri can people who did so much to defeat military autocracy In the last war will not now consent to the ubstitute in the United States of an industrial au- tocracy. Now that we understand bet ter the meaning of citizenship and the rights of liberty, we are not going to surrender to any gang of men because of their wealth alone.'
 MT. Gompers condemned efforts to lower costs by cutting wages and what he said was an organized movement now being promulgated by chambers of commerce throughout the country and by the national association ol manufacturers.
 THOSE GUILTY
 The men who are responsible for this movement he declared, have minds that are five centuries behind the times. Up until a few months ago the cry was always produce, produce Even after the war was over this or der came from the chambers of com merce. The echo had scarcely passed away when the shops began to shut down. closed by the manufacturers themselves and vast numbers of men and women were thrown into the streets, in a rich and bountiful country Such a tragedy is an indictment against the captians of industry and the princes of finance.
 Then the first move is wage cut They say times are bad and cutting wages is a remedy. Cutting wages is thought to be the best plan to destroy the cohesion of the workers. So, un- der hypoeritical cloak and desecrat- ing the name and traditions of old Glory, they dared mask their object under the name American shop the open shops which means a shop closed against union labor. Last December q SHlpydru, ueSpitt uHlOH dSTeeitleH' set Up notice that no committees would be recognized but each worker would be dealt with as an individual. Kaiser Wilhelm never declared anything quite so autocratic as that
 VIOLENT ATTACKS
 All the bitterness that accumulated during the war has been saved up till now and is vented In violent attacks on our men and women of toll
 Equal opportunity before law, be- fore government and in the democratic rroduction of industry-that is what we demand, and nothing less will satisfy labor"
 Mr. Morrison denied the right of the public to say whether there should be railroad strike. There are no rights without duties" he declared ITO be consistent, the public must also say we will not stand for any children of railroad workers not hay ing to eat during the period of low wages The public must say tc the roads, You must furnish us milk and coal whether to do it you are compelled to work your men shorter hours or to pay them better wages. Challenge any lawer to disprove so sound q fundamental as this"