Arizona republican., 1921-06-13
Labor Leaders
 Gathering For Denver M ting
POST WAR ISSUES CONFRONTING OR
 GANIZED LABOR WILL BE TAKEN UP AT AMERIC FEDERATION OF
 LABOR CONVENTION INV DENVER

DENVER. Colo, June 12.-The an nual convention of the American Federation of Labor. which opens here tomorrow, will be the gathering for the promotion and development of American welfare and freedom. President Samuel Gompers of the Federation declared in statement tonight.
 This convention, which the veteran labor leader said would mark a smilestone in our. national progress and will deal with the great post war issues confronting organized la Dor, which are today in the balance at the crucial moment where the die must be cast one way or the other More than 800 delegates from all parts of the United States and Can ada were assembled for the meeting, which will probably continue for the next two weeks J. H. Thomas, presi- dent Of the Railway Workers union of England. is here to represent as q freternal delegate the workers of Great Britain in the British trades union congress.
 Despite many reports that Presi- cent Gompers and his administration would be opposed for reelection, up to tonight there had not been any E4titltS4l4OAi VI SQSti d lnOtCtifClit L. While John l.. Lewis. president of the United Mine Workers, who had been bOomed as a candidate for the presidency by the anti -Gompers forces, declined to make any state ment. it was understood that he would not oppose the labor chief.
 The delegates of the Machinists union cannot vote for President Com pers. as they are instructed by thu <>R rfar ganization not to vote for any officer who fs an active or honorary mem. Der of the National Civic Federation. They. however, have not announced any intention of putting an activ, candidate in the field.
 The machinist delegates also ar, instructed by their membership t, work for the passage of a resolution providing for the election of the of ficials and members of the executiv' council of the federation by a gen eral referendum vote of all organize, workers of the country. They a1s want the federation reorganize, along in6ustrial lines instead of craf lines. making it great industria congress
 Leaders of the railroad organiza tions and several other unions, it wa learned, were planning to hold con ference to decide as to whether the. shall put a candidate in the field 10 a vice. presidency. Last year thes organizations attempted to get thei representation on the federation executive council but failed.
 The major issues to come befor the convention were outlined b President Gompers tonight and in clude:
 "The condition of unemployment of which estimates run as high g five million workers.
 The uu-Amerfcan movement crush labor and blast its spir through what Is called, with misei able disregard for the truth. tf open-shop movement
 "The railroad problem. involvin the nations chief means of transpol tation.
 "The immigration problem. with l vital bearing on American standars of living and citizenship.
 The problem of Russian affair the cancer that is eating at the vita of world civilization.
 "The problem of how best to me conditions brought about by cou decisions, problem unhappi1y n decreasing in importance and f that reason demanding more tn; usual attention.
 Added to these are the constr tive demands which labor must vol with endless repetition and wi growing intelligence and emphasi the problems that will be brouR forth by the delegates affecting trades and callings of the worker the relationship of American labor international bodies: the consider tinn of suggestions and propos; looking to the marking out of n worK end new programs of actio
 Disarmament and the Irish Qut tio5a and the high cost of living ' also occupy Outstanding positions the Federation's program. The ado tion of a resolution calling UT congress to take steps to bring abt worldwide disarmament will be | opposed, labor leaders declared. the convention in 1913, 1914 and 1919 went on record favoring int national disarmament.
 Two factions of Irish sympathiz have developed among the delega' One is preparing resolution
 manding that the Harding admir- tration immediately recognize
 Irish republic, that Great Brit withdraw her troops from 1rela and that she immediately repay
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