The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-06-13
delegates Issue Statement
Asserting That Movement
Against BrotherhoOds
Has Fallen Down
MEMBERSHIP SHOWS
DECREASE SINCE 1920
INCREASE OF NUMBER OF JOB
LESS ASSIGNED AS REASON
FOR DECREASE IN MEM
BERSHIP RANKS

(BJ Tho Associated Press)
Denver, June 13.---Unemployment
the open shop, relations with Euro
pean labor federatons, disarmament,
the Irish question and recognition OF
the Russian soviet government, and
more than a score OF other major is-
sues were before the fifty-first annual
convention Of the American Federation
OF Labor, which opened here today for
q two weeks session
More than 500 delegates headed by
President Samuel Gompers, marched
to the municipal auditorium, TO be
welcomed By Governor Shoup Of Col
orado and other officials.
Samuel Gompers then reviewed the
years accomplishments and urged a
more active oppoaition against non
union employers,
President Gcmpers and the execu-
tive council it was learned, have ta-
ken steps to adjust the situation
brought about by the withdrawal Of
the carpenters union from the build
ing trades department.
President william L. Hutcheson, Of
the carpenters, said that his organi-
zation was ready to fight the matter
out on the convention floor.
Introduction Of resolutions was to
take up most of today's program.
The trade union movement in
America mas successfully defended It's
position against the organized effort
Of anti-union employers" the execu-
tive council Of the American Fedora
ton of Labor declares it its annual
report submitted today to the federal
convention here. II adds that the
outlook is for continuance Of not
only successful defense, but steady
and consistent progress"
1T is true" says the report, that
the organized employers are still maxi
ing strenuous efforts TO destroy trade
unionisrn and that in many directions
the campaign to reduce wages con-
tinues- What is equally true is, that
these movements continue with con-
stantly decreasing vigor and effect
and that their momentum Of three
months ago has been dissipated.
There Is need for the utmost Wig
flance and labor can not relax in any
single effort, but must, on the con-
tary, continue its struggle with all
possible energy, intelligence and sol
idarity. It may, however, find sat
isfaction and cause for congratula-
ton In the fact that the employers,
united as never before, aggressive as
- ttr,
before, have failed so signally and
go completely IN the purpose they
sought TO accomplish
The councils report covers a wide
range of subjects and includes nearly
a score of specific recommendations.
Among them are:
That the railroad situation be In.
iyestigated by O national commission,
consisting OF seven representatives
each of the public, the stockholders
and classified labor, with q view TO
Recommending remedial legislation TO
congress.
That the executive council be au-
thoriSed to conduct an investigation
with a view to recommending at the
next convention policy as a basis for
wage measurement as opposed to the
prcssnt plan OF fixing wages In re-
mtion TO the cost Of living.
That the federation endorse u Joint
resolution to be presented In con-
gress proposing an amendment 10 the
constitution under which all measures
finally enacted by congress would be
valid under the constitution whenever
called into question
That the federation take u FIRM
stand" for the Inauguration OF a
definite policy calling for the total
exclusion from the United States OF
japanese with all other orientals
Thnt the excess profits tax hc re-
tained by the federal government and
that the federation oppose proposals
for new taxes and leave nothing un'
done to defeat the introduction Of u
turnover consumption or sales tax"
That the convention approve re-
cent recommendations By the Federal
Trade Commission to President Hard
ing, that the commission be authoriz'
ed to obtain and publish information
concerning ownership, cost, sales and
profits In the basic industries as a
means of reducing the cost OF living
by compelling those who sell the ne
cessaries OF lie to accept smaller
profits
That the convention call upon the
American government ito take the ini'
tiatiys cr to cooperate with amy other
nation CT nations for the purpose OF
=. ,..,..,f u.sr.gtpapt fne .fira RIM fupit
both Of the army and naval affairs
of the world
That in yiew Of "an apparently well.
crsanized and systematic campaign by
she National Association Of Manvfae.
turers to conduct propaganda In the
(Ccntinved On PAGE Three