The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-24
BUSINESS FIRST
FOR FEDERATION
DELAYS ELECTION
Election of Officers Postponed
at Denver Meeting.
Two Weeks of Sessions Failed
to Clear Up Work.
GOMPERS UTTERS HIS DEFY
Declares Lewis Nor Any One
Man Can Write Platform.
Women Delegates in Deter
mined Fight for Equal Rights.


Denver, June 24.-The contest for
the presidency of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor became so hot today
that President Samuel Gompers was
forced to warn against electioneering
by federation organizers. Gompers
stopped the proceedings of the conven-
tion when half dozen campaign con-
ferences were on in various parts of
the convention hall and said:
Il am informed that some organ
izers of the federation are interfering
with the election of officers. No or
ganizer has the right to espouse the
candidacy of any one"
Election Is Delayed.
The convention agreed that the cleo
ton, which will settle whether
Gompers OF John L. Lewis shall lead
the labor union movement, will be
held at 1890 Saturday. Officials
ruled that, in accordance with the con-
stitution, the election must be the last
business matter to come before the
convention. The election will be held
tomorrow night or early next week.
With Samuel Gompers taking the
offensive in his battle to retain lead
ership of the federation. his opponent
for the presidency, John L. Lewis.
head of the United Mine Workers of
America, was expected 10 ISSUE d
statement on his position.
In a speech late yesterday, Com
pers declared that William Randolph
Hearst newspaper publisher, is re-
sponsible for the campaign to prevent
his reelection. He said Hearst was
trying to get him" because he had
not supported Hearst's efforts to bring
about an American invasion of Mex
ico.
Much Business Remains.
The demand of women for equal
rights and privileges in all labor
unions. determination OF future rela-
tionship with European trade union
movements, and jurisdictional dis
putes were the major issues still con-
fronting the convention when it re-
sumed sessions today.
Altho the convention had been in
session nearly two weeks an unusual
volume of work remains. Because of
this several delegates announced they
would move to hold night sessions in
order that all business could be trans
acted by Sunday morning.
To Refuse International.
The committee on international re-
lations it was learned, will report un-
favorably the two resolutions submit
ted TO the convention by the Interna-
tional Association Of Machinists and
the Firemen and Oilers union, de-
manding that President Gompers i'm
the federation with the international
federation of trades unions.
The women delegates have united to
support a resolution which would
amt nd the federation's constitution to
give them "all the privileges of mem
bership in the union CT their trade or
industry" If they are denied mem
bership in any union they ask the
right to obtain a separate charter
from the federation.
The announcement by John L. Lewis
of the platform on which he is run
ming for the presidency of the fedora
tion brought a statement today from
President Gompers, who declared 'it
is not the right or the privilege of any
individual to make a platform in the
labor movement"
Mr.. Lewis in his announcement yes
terday declared for naturalization of
the mines, government control of the
railroads and other progressive poll
cies.
Defy to President Lewis.
'I am well enough known to wage
earners." said Mr. Gompers. "as hav-
ing been faithful in the cause for the
protection of their rights and welfare
TO make it unnecessary to announce
a declaration of the principles upon
which 1 stand.
Under the principles which it has
adopted, the American Federation of
Labor has advanced further than any
other movement in the history of the
world The American Federation of
Labor writes its own platform. No
individual has a right to formulate its
policies.
"The duty of a leader is to stand
by his organization and it's declara-
tions and principle and not run away
from any crisis. no matter what it may
involve.
THE American Federation of La
Dor. by its declarations and its actions
makes its platform and upon that
platform those who serve must stand.
The platform is the sum today of all
the thought and the work of the
movement. I may have contributed
to that sum total but no individual
writes the platform for the whole
movement"
Six-Hour Day Defeated.
The convention urged the govern
ment to replace restrictions on naval
yards and arsenals preventing employ
ment Of aliens. Federal control and
development of the country's natural
resources was urged in a resolution
adopted
A proposed campaign to bring about
the six-hour day with eight hours pay
at the present time received little sup
port in the convention today.
Resolutions favoring shortening the
work day to six hours with eight hours
pay were voted down after short
debate.
Backers of the measures declared
they believed shortening of hours oi
work would solve the unemployment
question.
The federation pledged its support
to any of the affiliated organizations
which may desire to obtain shorter
work day. 1t endorsed the fight of the
printers for a 44-hour week.