Twin city review. [volume] (Champaign, Ill.) 19??-1929, 1921-03-11
SUMMARIZE
TRADEUNION
CONFERENCE
Urge Constructive Legisla-
ton For Industrial Peace
And Harmony

Washington. March So Practical.
" every national and International
affiliate of the A +. OF l.. together
with the railroad brotherhood were
represented at the conference on Feb.
%. in this city. called BY President
Gompers, under instruction of the ex.
ecutiye council, 10 consider present.
day attacks ON the trade union move
ment.
The conference was harmonious and
enthusiastic. A declaration was agreed
TO. which included an arraignment OF
injunction judges and employers who
would destroy American ideals II was
declared that these employers and be
levers in European fanaticism are
working for the destruction of the
trade union movement. though in.
spired by different motives and each
using the other as tool IN the struggle
to overwhelm democracy and put an
end to American progress, politically
and industrially
Profiteering and the shameful and
unjustified oyer-capitalization of in
dustrial and commercial projects
which compel the public to pay in
terests on inflated prices. were de.
nounced
The conference called for public
support and recognition OF:
The right of the working people
Iof the United States to organize into
trade unions for the protection of their
rights and interests
The right TO. and practice of. col
lectiye bargaining by trade unions
fbrauph ranrae n Twas of fhas.. x>.s...
choosing.
The right to work and to cease
work
THE right to bestow or withhold
patronage
The right to the exercise of nor.
NAL activities in furtherance of the
welfare OF labor"
The conference also urged public
support of the following
Enactment by congress of legis
lation which shall protect the work
|ers in their organized capacity against
the concept that there Is human
being.
"No application of the use OF in.
functions in industrial disputes where
they would not apply in the absence OF
such disputes.
Prohibition Of immigration for a
period of not less than two years.
More general application of the
initiative and referendum in the po-
litical affairs of the United States and
of our several states.
Removal by congress of the usurped
power of courts TO declare unconsti-
tutional laws enacted by congress
Election OF judges.
Immediate restoration OF ex-
Iemption from or the repeal of all anti
and so-called conspiracy
laws.
Restoration OF an adequate federal
employment service.
Administration of credit as pub
lie trust In the interest of all the
people.
Repeal by the states of all in.
dustrial court laws and all restric-
tive and coercive laws, including the
1b-called open port law of Texas.
and freedom from decisions of hold.
ing trade unions and individual mem
bers thereof liable in damages for the
unlawful acts of others.
I'VE urge upon the unorganized
workers everywhere the urgent ne
cessity of Joining the unions of their
trades and callings. their only haven
of refuge and protection.
I'VE call upon the workers every
where to resist the efforts to destroy
trade unions. whether by the false
pretense of the open shop the
llusurped authority of courts through
writs of Injunction, or otherwise.
I'VE call upon the trade unions for
closer banding together a greater
solidarity and unity of purpose.
I'VE call for united support In the
protection of standards of wages and
conditions already gained, and we
summon the workers to continued eff.
| forts to increase the consuming
power. raise the standards and i'm
prove the conditions OF life and work,
I'VE call upon the workers and all
of our people to give their support
their effort and their combined
strength of righteous purpose TO this
appeal for the preservation of the
spirit and the letter of that great
declaration which was written to guar
antee. to all Americans the right to
life. liberty and the pursuit of happi-
ness and freedom from involuntary
servitude.
"To the above declaration and ap-
peal the officers and other representa-
tives of the national and international
trade unions of America assembled In
the executive council chamber OF the
A. F. of L., Washington, ID. c., Feb.
%, 1921, pledge ourselves and those
whom we represent absolutely and I'M