Twin city review. [volume] (Champaign, Ill.) 19??-1929, 1921-06-24
NOTES FROM THE
CONVENTION
By Robert M. Buck

I
Federated Press Stan Correspondent
Denver. Colo.-The nearest thing 20
a program presented 10 the A. F. OF
L. convention was a series of resolu-
tions unlimited by the electrical work
ers' delegation and dozen other del
egates, including j. w. Kline of the
blacksmiths, Martin Ryan Of the Rail.
i way Carmen. Joseph w. Morton OF
the stationary flremen, and James j.
Forester of the Railway Clerks.
4 This series included six res solutions
demanding control of the packing in
dustry by the United States govern
ment, federal control through publici-
ty or otherwise" of the natural re-
sources OF the nation, abolition of COM
pulsory military training. continuation
of the income and excess profits taxes
and defeat OF the sales and turnover
taxes pending before Congress and a
reduced spread" of interest on Fed
eral Reserve System funds, so that a
bank borrowing from the Federal Re-
serve System might not loan the
money out again for more thar 11s
per pent In addition To the interest IL
pays the system.
The machinists' delegation has in.
trodueed a resolution In the A. +. of
L. convention recognizing the service
to labor performed by three great
church bodies In published utterances
on the Industrial situation The reso-
luton quotes denunciations OF the
open shop drive sent broadcast by
the National Catholic Welfare Coun-
ell and the Federated Council of
Churches of Christ In America and
refers to a resolution of the Central
Conference of American Rabbis recog-
nizing the union as "labor's only safe
guard against retrogression to for
mer inhuman standards
The machinists also introduced a
resolution outlining the unemploy-
ment situation, stating that In large
degree it was artificially induced by
big business to lower wages and liv-
ing standards, declaring that when
industry fails to keep the workers EN-
ployed, industry should be taxed to
give relief to the unemployed workers.
The resolution then instructs the exec
utive council of the A. F. of L. ito
work for the enactment of national
law that will provide for the payment
of unemployment benefits and the
funds for the same shall be derived
by taxing Industry" Old age pension
laws were demanded in another reso-
luton submitted by the machinists.
The convention adopted Andrew
Furuseth's resolution charging the
United States Shipping Board with
conspiracy with European and Ameri-
can ship-owners to drive American
nN he
asking the United States Senate tol
pass the LaFollette resolution for an
investigation. The Seamen's union
delegation also presented resolutions
denouncing the Scott bin. pending be-
fore Congress-. which reduces the safe
guards for passengers on boats in the
Great Lakes and increases the hours
of labor, thereby undoing what the
Seamens Act did for safety on the
inland seas.
This years action concerning the
courts and their attitude toward labor
comes up on resolution submitted by
the international Ladies' Garment
Workers. This resolution sets forth
that the Duplex decision of the United
States Supreme Court nullified the
Clayton act In its attempted protec-
ton of labor, refers to infunctions and
quotes the New York Judge, who. In
an Injunction case, said IL was the
duty OF the courts to stand at all
times as the representatives Of capt
tai II then calls upon labor organi-
cations ito inaugurate energetic cam
paigns against the ever growing abuse
of injunctions In labor disputes"
The convention adopted resolution |
demanding a congressional investiga- |
ion of conditions in the cotton mills |
II the south and directing the execu-
tive council of the federation to take |
iteps to organize the cotton mill |
workers.
Lucy Robbins made plea for activ-
ty in the interest OF amnesty for the |
'emaining political prisoners and read |
4 message from Eugene Y. Debs from
lis cell in the Atlanta penitentiary, |
thanking the A. +. of L. for its efforts |
in behalf of amnesty. There is no
resolution pending before the
The organization committee re-
ported adversely on resolution de-
manding that more attention be given
the organizing OF the unskilled work
ers, but Delegate John F. Leheney of
the Casper (Wyo) Trades Assembly
and d. DAllessandro OF the hod car
riers, so stirred the convention in
speeches befriending the principle In
volved in the resolution that 1t was
hurriedly referred back to the COM
mittee for further consideration.