The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-06-23
Miners Union Head FavOrs
Government Ownership of
Railroads and Nation
aliZatiOn of Mines
SAM GOMPERS STANDS.
ON Al YEARS RECORD
OLD WARRIOR FEELS THAT LONG
AND FAITHFUL SERVICE EN.
TITLES HIM TO REELECTION
AS EXECUTIVE

Denver. June 23.-The convention of
the A. +. Of l.. today voted down a
proposal calling for an amendment
to the constitution of the United
States taking the power of declaring
war from congress and placing it in
the hand of the people through
referendum vote.
The declaration which went to
roll call after n stormy debate also
provided that "all those voting in
favor Of the declaration OF war, be
compelled to take up the active prose-
cution of same, before those who voted
against the declaration of the war"
The official roll call showed that 21,-
742 votes were cast against the war
referendum and 1880 for it.
The convention OF the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor today called upon
congress to enact legislation to con-
troll the meat packing industry of the
country.
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"
Government ownership OF the rail-
roads and naturalization of the mines
are the two major issues on which
John i. Lewis hopes TO win the pres-
dency of the American Federation
of Labor, it was learned today. on the
other hand, President Samuel Gompers
was striving for reelection upon his
record OF the past Al years as a lead.
er in The American labor movement.
In his first public statement as to
his platform, Mr.. Lewis, president of
the United Mine Workers. said:
Il stand for government ownership
OF the railroads that will give the
workers and the toilers of America
the freedom and justice in industry
they deserve.
u stand for health insurance, old
age pensions and unemployment in.
surance. all progressive measures for
the relief of the working masses. The
enactment Of laws covering these sub
jects would give TO the workers an ade-
quate protection and reward for the
service that they have rendered in
dustry"
Mr.. Lewis sail that ne had not TAX
en- any definite stand on the subject
Of relations with European trades un-
ion movements, adding:
II believe, however. that some logical
proposition can be worked out by
which the American labor movement
again can be affiliated with the inter-
national federation OF trade unions. or
course the autonomy OF the American
organization must be- fully regarded.
I'm any event should not lose
contact with the European fedora
tion and We should be in communi-
cation with the body" While Presi.
dent Gompers yesterday issued no
statement supporters. speaking In his
behalf declared that his record In the
-''''s aNNAA tatNA uhIulk llt
past IL years would re-elect him to
the presidency"
This made the issues between the
two candidates clear rs President Com.
pers has already gone on record as
against government ownership. unem-
ployment Insurance. health Insurance
and other similar proposed legisla-
tive measures
Supporters Of both candidates con-
unud their campaign today at top
speed, carrying their electioneerlng TO
tho floor Of the convention. where
they went from group to group OF
delegates soliciting their support. Lit
tie change however, was shown In
the lincups for the candidates.
With the railroad and the Irish oues-
tion disposed OF the convention to,iay
began 10 dispose OF number OF mi
nor matters and prepared the way
to take up jurisdctional disputes and
the question OF relations with Euro
pean labor movement