The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-02-23
REPRESENTATIVES
OF ALLIED UNIONS
.INEXTRAORDINARY
c 0 N F E R EN- c E
GATHERING is FOR PURPOSE OF
DEVISING MEANS TO SUCCESS
FULLY COMBAT THE NATION
AL "OPEN SHOP" MOVEMENT

Washington, Feb. 23.-Issues Of the
most serious character affecting our
people and our republic" are faced
by organized labor. Samuel Gompers.
OF Labor, declared here today In
statement at the opening Of the ex-
traordinary conference of representa-
tives Of national and international
unions.
1T is not possible to forecast the
manner in which the conference will
deal with these issues" he said, but
it is certain that the thought ex-
pressed will be for the benefit Of our
country and for the advancement Of
the interests, standards and freedom
of our people"
These issues, ''in the main are known
| to all, though not understood by all"
said Mr.. Gompers, adding that 'our
concern Is for the democratic institu-
tions of our country and for the safe
guarding Of our freedom wherever
these things may be attacked, whether
the attacks are made by plutocratic
reaction or because Of the insidious
propaganda Of European insanity
Mr.. Gompers submitted the recon-
mendations of the executive council
details OF which, ii was stated, would
not be made public until they have
been acted upon.
| Attending the conference were more
than 200 representatives of organized
| - ba ~
The first business was the prcsenta-
ton by the executive council of a
bill of rights" and recommendations
for a labor program.
| While the councils program was
not made public. 1t was understood
to provide for campaign of organ
lied labor to combat anti-union shop
wage reductions, compulsory arbltra-
tion, labor injunctions and open shop
propaganda.
One OF the proposals before the con-
ference, II was said, calls for a pub
iicity campaign by the federation,
to offset the propaganda Of the enem-
les OF union labor. Federal and state
legislation 10 further the cause Of or
gan.zed labor also, is TO be con-
sidered by the conference which pro-
poses TO sEt out the whole question
of the "open shop" versus trade un-
ionism. The conference. union leaders
say, Is expected 10 determine the at
titude the federation shall take In its
relation with the incoming Republican
administration. Survey VI Industrial
conditions throughout the country was
being taken by labor leaders here for
today's meeting and all agreed that
the present depression was the worst
the federation has faced in years.
THE coal mining industry has been
especially hard hlt," said John l.
Lewis. president Of the United Mine
Workers Of America, Production Is
less than 20 per cent or normal. We
have 100000 men who have not done
any work since the first Of the year
The miners that are working are
J only getting from two or three days q
: week"
Michael Tighc, president of Anal
gamated Association OF Iron. Steel and
Tin Workers, said he had never seen
conditions SO had but added he believed
the worst will soon be over. as some
= of the mills are already starting up.
Conditions In the metal trades were
described as bal. by A. j. liercs. head
of the metal trades department oI
the federation. There is however, som,
Improvement in the automobile indus
try. he said. but ne reported work II
the ship building industry as slow with
little Improvement In sight.
Thousands OF our ncn are out o.
work." said William Johnston. prcsi
dent OF the international Association
OF Mechanics. "The railroad sltua
ton Is especially bad: hundreds o.
workers are being laid off because
, of reduced working conditions. The
/ present industrial depression. leaders
! said. would not deter the federation
from its plan TO combat attempts {,
further reduce wages and inaugurat'