Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-06-14

fires OF antagonfsm. bitterness ana
relentlessness.
The only purpose of the anti-union
drive" he continued. lis to weaken
the spirit of the working people OF
the country and make further inroads
on the standards of life of the loiter-
ers and toilers Of America and force
a reduction in wages"
He referred briefly to world disarm-
ament, expressing the hope that this
would be brought about through in
ternational agreements.
Zone thing we need is solidarity
among the toiling masses of this
country" he declared. I'VE need a
new spirit-not of resentment but OF
desire to protect the interests of the
working mass of this country to
protect and strengthen the ground
work of our own structure.
while we love every human being,
no matter where born or where he
may reside. one principle from which
we can not depart is America first
The labor movement of America is
endeavoring to cultivate the best OF
country but If we are to retain our
standards and our rights we must pre-
sent solid front. united in spirit, III
fact and in idealism."
He was given a. great ovation when
he opned the convention. The dele
gates and visitors cheered him vigor-
ously for several minutes. A gavel
of wood from Colorado forests and
made by members of the carpenters
union was presented to the labor chief
when the meeting was turned over to
him by the temporary chairman.
More than 500 delegates were seat
ed in the convention hall when the ses-
sion was opened, making it one of the
largest labor gatherings ever held in
the history of the federation
ut is not bolshevism. but bourbon
ism, that is the danger in the United
States today" former Representative
Heating of Colorado said in an ad-
dress before the convention. "Bour-
bonism, drunk on war profits Is the
menace Mr.. Heating declared Il
don't believe there are enough honest
to-God Bolshevists in this country to
break up picnic, Of the mculders
union"
The convention was. opened by an
address of welcome by Mayor Dewey
c. Bailey. A welcome also was ex-
tended by Governor Oliver II. Shoup
OF Colorado, who told the delegates
they had duty to perform and that
the eyes of the world were on them
and expecting them to perform that
duty.
James C. Bulger. president of the
Colorado State Federation of Labor.
gave an official welcome on behalf of
labor in Colorado.
The convention unanimously
adopted a declaration of the execu-
tive council calling upon all local
and international unions to aid the
Pueblo flood sufferers.
lie made an appea to the work
ers to unite in opposition to the
movement designed to create a de-
partment of public welfare.
nder the pretense of irving to
create department Of public. well
rare. It is seriously proposed to de-
stroy the department. of labor and
the department OF agriculture, he
SAID. No one can foretell where re-
action leads. AS a matter of fact
these are the only two departments
IN the government Of the United
states that represent at all the pro-
ducers OF the wealth of our country.
and 1t is seriously proposed to de-
stroy these two departments"
President Gompers also paid a
high tribute to the memory of John
Golden, former president OF the
United Textile Workers who died
during the last week. At his request
the delegates and visitors stood in
silent deitation for one minute.
The report of the executive coun-
Gil was presented by James Duncan
of Quincy, Mass, first vice president.
1t covered the many important issues
facing organized labor-the "open
shop" wage reductions. Irish aues-
ton, relations with foreign trade
union movements. anti-labor legisla-
ton. immigration. high cost OF liv-
ing, railroad situation and scores Of
other major problems. This report
with its recommendations was i'm
mediateiy referred to committees for
consideration.
While the annual report Of Secre-
tary Frank Morrison showed the
membership of the federation to be
3,O06.52S as compared with 4.07S,740
in 1920 it was stated that the ranks
of organized labor had increased as
this report did not include thou
sands of members now involved in
strikes or lockouts or Unemployment.
The secretary's report showed that
there had been 1855. strikes during
the year involving 101 .934 members,
costing So, 462,1T4. The federation
defense fund showed a balance of
$161 ,217.