New-York tribune., 1921-02-25
/ eaders Ask
Not
ToNarl,e Davis
|s.cretar, Who Belongs to
organization Demanded
by Compers and Others
:, A. F. of l.. Conference
|. Duncan Is Favored
penusylvanian, Said To Be
Slated for Cabinet, Not
Mentioned in Message

...val of the tentative appointment of
ives ]. Davis, of Pennsylvania, as
4 s,,retary of Labor was voiced in a
I i.,scrsm sent to President-eiect har-
I e,y by the conference of national and
..,srnational officials OF the American
p.3srstion Of Labor who are in con-
l Is-snce here to-day. Without mention
4 ia, Mr.. Davis by name, and regarding
10 most Of Secretary of Labor as still
,,Alled, the 200 labor leaders, headed
1 s. Samuel Gompers, asked Mr.. Har-
4ipe ITO appoint as Secretary of Labor
member Of organized labor-one who
/, recognized as real spokesman of
lie working people OF our country"
The telegram to Mr.. Harding bore
es signatures Of all the officials st
,.zding the labor conference. While
,one Of the officials would be quoted
an the tentative Davis appointment,
many Of them criticized the appoint
usnt severely, declaring that Davis is
sot regarded as labor man and has
no connection, official or otherwise,
With the labor movement
The man most frequently mentioned
sor the Labor portfolio in Federation
eirces whose appointment would please
:he trades unions is James j. Duncan,
8 viee-president of the Federation of
Laoo.. 1t is believed, however, that
Mr Duncan will be named to the Inter-
s:4te Commerce Commission by Mr..
Harding.
Fear Giving Weapon to Radicals
President Gompers and other infu-
entail leaders, it Is understood, are
psrLculaIly disappointed with the ten
tstive appointment of Davis, because it
vilI De interpreted by their opponents
IN the radical wing of the labor move
ment as another Indication OF the fail
IRE OF the conservative labor policy
holding aloof from politics, but seek
inc airect and indirect influence OF the
ttade unions within the various depart
ments OF the government.
Coming after the failure of the or
ganl2ed workers of the country TO fol-
OW the ADVICE of Mr.. Gompers and
the executive council of the American
Federation of Labor to vote for Gov
sA-'Si NSENs S4ANi ACCCAAb ndNSLSG uSClolOilS
IsndereG by the Uniccd States Supreme
Court in cases vitally affecting tie in
erests OF labor and the alleged low
aring Of labor's prestige in the country,
snder the leadership of the conserya-
i've faction of the Federation, it is leit
hat the severance OF the connection
@tSeen organized labor and the De-
artment OF LABOR would be lmpl Ell in
he SUMPTION Of the labor portfolio
y Mr.. Davis.
.Mers for country wide campaign of
eagea Jon, and propaganda to put into
eSec.. tn. legislative program adopted
by tae conference yesterday and in
genera. TO defend the cause Of organ
lZed sbor through IL the cJuntry. A
grea, campaign Of publicity will he un-
dtItaken, &c 10 panied by hundreds of
meetings at all large industrial centers
Nhlie no definite announcement of the
plans was made, it was sid bv
Matthew Vol, vice president Of the
federation, thai in addition to the cam
palgh o. publicity and education to be
ahcertaEen direct pressure will be
brought by the unions throughout the
1atlon upon members of Congress, the
resident and the Cabinet win a view
obtaining the adoption of the legis-
au0n demanded by organized labor.
tight Against Reds Planned
Much of the effort in the direction
apubliclty and education to be under
asen, 1t is understood, will be devoted
me Federation to fighting what Mr.
G'npers and his friends cal "Eur)-
iean insanity" embodied in the Boil
NeYlk and other revo.u .ionary move
aeats witch WELD a large influence
snong organized workers abroad and in
AiS country. The Federation has been
SHa.aerlng much material upon the con-
UlIi0ns IN Rus ia under the Be sheviki,
qua sal II will be its purpose to bring the
:asts concerning Russia and Bolshev-
S s@ 70 the attention of the workers o.
.,, mt en'ted States and the American
puolic in general.
~. ~ otherhoods are under
sOod 70 be very much dissatisfied with
@s failure Of the executive council
y push the Plumb plan for the opera
sa 1ga OF the railroads, which was in
gg0lSeu at the last convention of the
TryIaeratlon by vote of % 900 to 5000.
.ag 1ae metal trades, including the large
s sal lnnuentlal international Associa-
sYh o. Machinists and the mine work
80, Hke"lse are demanding & more
ggfessve policy than that embodied
l.. |, 'ae ne declaration and program adopted
the conference here last Wednes-
'an' WinslowTownserd Bill Vetoed
upon insistent demand of the rep
lsSsahatlves OF the railway brother
s0S at the conference the latter to-
by ADOPTED resolution calling upon
'sSlaent Wilson to veto the Winslow-
a.;shSend bill as an "unjustiGed and
rr.s r!ssStihaoie concession to the rail-
A. l"ners, wro have shown wanton
.s.egard for laws and lawful proc
ysss? ssa In event of the President
saal sails the bill organized labor is
eanu upon to bring pressure upon
Ttess to prevent its readoption,
,s.9sether with the adoption of the
STs.lauon nv. in support Of the railway
,isosaeraoods ,s..a the conference also
ppseq a resolution calling upon or
see sr,s'ee labor to give friendly consid-
bsoSVa and support TO the $4,000, 600
ko,a kS issue of the Bank of North Da-
tSs D Sturgeon 0dell, representing
oank of North Dakota, appeared
sgn.a NM the conference and asked for the
ls;goe1 OF the Federation and trade
ma S"S composing it for the bond iY
spao,. resolution recommending the
Corrsaatnent of comm ssion by
ditiasnseSs to investigate industrial con-
ssntaS as we'll as the general govern
aJaatN affairs of Porto Rico was also
gatss upon the initiative of dele
eoso from Porto Rico The confer
aelonrned tonight.
italy Hears of Oil Deal
r.
udnk Sal w q az Hy.-Hla