New-York tribune., 1921-02-24
Workers Called On to Re-
sist Wage Cuts, Fight
the Open Shop and
Industrial Courts Laws
Repeal of Dry Act
To Come Up To-day
Assembly Throws Down
Gauntlet to 'Autocracy'
Aiming at Destruction
/, rhn Tr.bur,e,s Washtnoton sureau

yroy, Tho Tr:bu71o'S Washtnoton Bureau
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2S,-Organized
labor. speaking through Samuel Com
,ers. the executive council of the
American Federation of Labor and
more than 200 presidents and secre-
.aries of international unions COM
ycsing the federation, to-day threw
down the gauntlet to what was termed
by the assembly "the two converging
forces" seeking to destroy the labor
movement industrial autocracy," on
the one hand, and European and Ameri-
can BolsheYism on the other.
Called hurriedly into session by the
officials of the Federation, the leaders
OF organized labor from all parts of
the country met at the office of the
American Federation of Labor, and at
the end Of more than eight hours de-
bate issued what they termed "labor's
bill Of rights" In it the working peo-
pie Of the United States were called
upon to resist any reduction in wages,
government by injunction, the wide
spread movement for the open shop
and the idea of industrial courts laws.
The repeal of all state industrial
court laws was demanded by the lead
ers, as well as the repeal Of "all re-
strictive and coercive laws, including
the so-called open port law of Texas
The labor chieftains likewise demanded
freedom from decisions of courts hold
ing trade unions and individual mem
bers thereof liable in damages for the
unlawful acts of others" Demand for
repeal OF the Volstead prohibition act
Will be discussed tomorrow.
"No Copartnerships"
4We urge upon the unorganized
workers the urgent necessity of the
enactment by Congress of a law de-
claring that labor organizations are
not copartnerships and shall not be so
treated in law or in equity" read the
pronunciamento.
Other demands made were:
Investigation by Congress Of the
activities of fso-called private detec-
tive agencies in the field of industrial
relations.
"The right of the working people of
the, United States to- organize into
trade unions for the protection of their
rights and interests.
The right to and practice of col
leetive bargaining by trade unions
through representatives of their own
choosing.
The right to work and TO cease work
collectively.
The right collectively to bestow or
Withhold PATRONAGE
The right to the exercise of collec-
i've activities in furtherance of the
welfare af labor.
Enactment by. Congress of legisla-
tiOn which shall protect the workers in
.neir organized capacity against the
concept that there is a property right
IN tne labor of a human being.
NO application Of the use of in
!unetlons in Industrial disputes where
.aey would not apply in the absence of
such disputes.
Want Ban on Immigration
Prohibition Of immigration for a
@aiod OF not less than two years.
More general application of the
M,Uiative and referendum in the politi-
sAi analrs of the United States and of
our several states.
nUiioVal ny Congress ct the
osurped power of courts to declare un-
gress. ~ ooH
Election of judges.
immediate restoration of exemption
.toh or the repeal of all anti-combina-
Nen IN ana so-called conspiracy laws.
~. restoration of an adequate Federal
eiapioyment service.
.,,,t administration of credit as a public
NJ NJ IN the interest of all the people. !"
ven me demands covering legislation
we're regarded as an indication of what
irssd iSsSsaized labor will expect from the
'sTVlming Tl Republican Administration.
inc .ne demand for legislation declar-
nas. "s organizations of labor are not CO.
ssssta.aatefshlps is intended TO nullify the
Saoi.: SaSvtS OF the Hitchfield and Duplex
& S,saohs nsao recently handed down by the
riast is,eme Court. The first limits the
ana ,eaI e Of Individual efforts to organize
a rasnAe tAe second edrtails the right to
decis;sso 70 handle non-union goods. Both
at t',S,9hs "a;l are regarded as severe blows
tjon Sua,onism. In addition the legisla-
nyo. Yn demanded is expected to have a
aaisn eass effect upon the Coronda
and u INVOLVING the right to organize
'"0 exemption of union men col
- Scontnusd on page three,