Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1921-02-25
G0MPERs GIVES
LABOR WARNING
Great Workers Conference Is
Opened at Washington.
200 DELEGATES AT MEETING
A. r. Of /. President Tells Gathering
That Plutocracy and European
Insanity Must Be combated--
To Fight Foes Of Unions.


Washington, Feb. 24.--Issues of the
most serious character affecting our
people and our republic are faced by
organized labor" Samuel Gompers,
president of the American Federation
of Labor, declared here In a statement
at the opening of the extraordinary
conference of representatives of ma
tional and international unions.
1t is not possible to forecast the
manner in which the conference will
deal with these issues" he said. but
1t 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"
The issues lin 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"
Plan Big Campaign
While the councils program was
not made public it was understood
TO provide for campaign by organized
labor to combat anti-union shops. wage
reductions, compulsory arbitration. la
Dor injunctions aiIsi sopeG shop" propa-
ganda.
One of the proposals before the con-
ference, it was said, calls for a publici-
ty campaign by the federation to off
set the propaganda of the enemies of
union labor
Federal and state legislation to fur
Their the cause of organized labor also
is TO be considered by the conference,
which proposes 10 sift out the whole
question of the ''open shop" versus
trade unionism.
The conference. union leaders said.
is expected to determine the attitude
the federation shall take in its rela-
ton with the incoming Republican ad-
ministration. Survey of industrial con-
ditions Throughout the country was be-
ing taken by labor leaders here and
all agreed that the present depression
was the worst the federation had faced
in years.
Coal Industry Hard Hit.
1.-THE coal-mining industry has been
especially hard hit" said John l.. Lew
is. president of the United Mine Work
erS of America. 'ProductiGn is less
than 60 per cent of normal. We have
100000 men who have not done any
work since the first OF the year The
miners that are working are only get
ting from two TO three days week"
Michael Tighe, president of the
Amalgamated Association of Iron.
Steel and Tin Workers, said he had
never seen conditions so bad, but added
he helievedN the worst will soon be
over, as some of the mills already are
starting up.
Conditions I'm the metal trades we're
described as bad by A. ]. Berries. head
of the metal trades Departments of the
federation. There is. however. some
Improvement in the automobile indus
try. he said hut he reported work in
the shiphuilding industry as slow, with
little Improvement in sight.
Many Machinists Idle.
thousands of our men are out of
work. said William Johnston, presi-
lent of the international Association
If MachiniSts. 1.-THE railroad situation
IS especially bad, hundreds Of workers
aeing laid of because of reduced work
Inc forces
The present industrial depression
and widespread unemployment. leaders
said. would not deter the federation
in its plan to combat attempts to fur.
Their reduce wages and marguerite the
"open shop"