The Connecticut labor news., 1921-06-10
GATHERING MARKED BY
 HARMONY THAT PROMPTS
 MANY PROGRESSIVE ACTS
Officers Reelected and Instructed to Proceed Against Employers Who Are U S in g Blacklist - Employ ment Situation in Connecticut Reported the Worst Ever.

Adverse industrial conditions, such as never even in time of financial panic, have existed in Connecticut before, said condi- tions being charged directly to the attempts of financial interests to beat Labor into subjection, were reported to the Beth annual con- vention of the Connecticut State Federation of Labor in session at Bridgeport this week, and instead of intimidating the workers rep resentatives, served only to bring about a spirit of determlnatlon and 'unanimity that made the con- vention the most harmonious and successful the Federation has ever held. A mass of progressive leg islation was enacted resolutions favoring the freedom of Ireland adopted and time found to enjoy the splendid entertainment pro- vided by the Bridgeport c. l.. U. and Corset Workers in the eve nings.
 While in the election of officers two vice-presidents retired, they did so by their own desire. Vice President Thomas A. Sweeney of Hartford retired because of illness and Martin l.. Lane of Bridgeport retired to allow the honor to be passed along. President Patrick F. O'Meara, Secretary 1. M Orn- burn and Treasurer F. l.. Neebe were reelected without opposi- tion, and on the whole the conven- tion was most enjoyable. The financial reports showed some falling off in that line but this was explained by the industrial de- pression and the heavy expenses local unions are now under.
 The convention opened on Monday morning with more than 15O delegates representing unions all over Connecticut present Mayor Wilson of Bridgeport i'll short address, bade the convention welcome to the city and expressed the hope that Organized Labor would con- tinue along in the ways of progress the Connecticut Federation has developed anC
 
 cial to the community as a whole. IT accord with the custom established by President O'Meara two years ago, the Rev. w. Horace Day, a Congregations clergyman and Rev. George J. Donahue a Catholic priest, opened the meeting witt prayer, and short addresses in which eacl congratulated Labor on its past record and hoped for the continuance of its pro I Iofnr fha vention the constitution was amended tC provide for the opening of convention: hereafter by like prayer, at least two .clergymen to be appointed by the execu tive board, on advice of the local (. L U. entertaining the convention.
 The first day was taken up with the ordinary routine and submission Of reso lutions, a large number of which, cover ing every subject in which Labor of thu state IS interested, being presented. Witt but few exceptions, they were adopted later by the convention, so carefully hat the subjects been considered and the reso lutions drawn.
 The second day opened with warm dis cussion of the anti-strike bill pending a Hartford, number of delegates advising the adjournment of the meeting to Hart ford were showing could be made be fore the state senate of LabOrS desires Secretary Ornburn, who has conducte the legislative work before the Leg1sla ture. advised against any such move, de claring he had assurances the bill WOu be killed when reached His counsel pre- vailed and his prediction borne out late in the day when during the atternoo session, he was called to the telephone an informed by friends at Hartford that tn bill had been killed 25 to 6. The COnVen tion broke into loud and long cheers, gay the secretary a rising vote of congratula tion and thanks for his great success against the bill and then got down | business in a much more heartened Sp1rl
 The convention wound upon 1hursda with tribute to President P. F. O'Mear who on that day reached his 45th birth day. The delegates had got wind ot tn occasion and through Delegate MordecS of New Haven presented him with
 handsome travelling bag. Resolutions c appreciation of the work of retiring V1ce presidents, Sweeney and Kane, Wer adopted and altogether spirit ot har mony and good fellowship re1gne throughout that made the gathering re marable.
 A detailed account of the conventio and its work day by day will be toun starting on page two and continunl throughout to the end.