The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-23
Federation Convention Cons
mends Stand Against Court. !
All Organizations Urged to Buy
n. P. L. Bonds.
LEWIS TELLS HIS STAND
Government Ownership Made
Chief Plank In Platform. +
Labor Federation Candidate
Also FayOrs Naturalization.

Denver, June 2S.-The American
Federation of Labor today protested
against the alarming tendency of the
courts to use the tyranny of injunc>
tions." Labor leaders declared the Inc
junction "menaced the existence OF
American workers as free men"
Resolutions adopted by the conven<
ton called upon all labor organizations
to conduct energetic campaigns until
the 'intolerable practice is aban-
doned."
The convention adopted resolutions
urging unions to purchase bonds Of
North Dakota; endorsing federal con-
troll of packing; urging reclassification
OF civil service employees, and propos-
ing an increase in the retirement an
nuity for retired government EN-.
ployes.
Back Kansas Miners.
Officials of the Kansas Mine Work.
ers' organization were commended by
| the convention today for their stand
against the Kansas industrial court
| law.
Moral and financial aid was voted
the men for 80 courageously opposing
this law in the face of injunctions and
prison terms. and preventing the law
from taking effect, thereby fighting
the battles of organized labor
The convention of the American
Federation of Labor today called upon
congress to enact legislation to control
| the meat packing industry of the
country.
Lewis Tells Platform.
Government ownership of the
railroads and naturalization of
the mines were the two major
issues on which John L. Lewis hopes
Federation of Labor. it was learned
today. On the other hand President
Samuel Gompers was striving for re-
election upon his record of the past
forty-one years as a leader in the
American labor movement.
| In his first public statement as to
his platform, Mr.. Lewis, president OF
1 the U. M. w. A, said:
| stand for government ownership
OF the railroads and naturalization Of
the mines, and other progressive Leg
islation that will give the workers and
4 the tofTers OF America the freedom and
Justice in industry they deserve.
Il stand for health insurance, old
| age pensions and unemployment in
surances-aH progressive measures for
1 the relief of the working mass. The
enactment of laws covering these sub
jects would give to the workers ade-
quate protection and reward for the
service that they have rendered in
dustry."
| No Gompers Statement.
1 Hlie fTeSlQenC GOmperS issued no
statement, supporters, speaking in his
behalf, declared that his record in
the American labor movement during
the past forty-one years would re-
elect him to the presidency"
This made the issues between the
two candidates clear, as President
| Gompers has already gone on record
against government ownership, unem-
ployment insurance, health insurance
and other similar proposed Legislative
measures.
| Lewis Lacks Votes.
On the basis of canvass of the
| delegation today, John L. Lewis, chal-
presidency of the American Federation
OF Labor, still lacked 5000 votes OF
the number necessary to elect him
| A delegation much sought by the
| Lewis faction was that composed of
railroad workers. 1t was still waver-
| despite appeals made by Lewis in sup
port of a resolution favored by the
Irailroaders calling fore government
townership of railroads.
Gompers Men Work Hard.
| Gompers's supporters took the wind
out of Lewis's sails, however, by hav-
ing several of their number speak in
| support of some resolution. One of
the most important actions of the con-
| vention, in the opinion of delegates
who have been working on the prob
lem of unemployment was the dec
llaration against a federal unemploy-
ment insurance
| The convention refused to advocate
an unemployment sfnsurance under
control of the federal government after
several speakers pointed out that such
a policy would place workers under
complete control of the government.