Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-06-28
mo RAD|CAL|S|M IN
AMERICAN LABOR
BY RALPH BARTON
Ueased Wire Service TO The Journal

NSopS IIShl, LO@I'J
DENVER, Col, June 25.-Anyone
who looked for radical or revolu-
tionary manifestations at the conven-
tion of the American Federation of
Labor must have been sorely disap-
pointed by the proceedings of the
delegates during the last two weeks.
No resolution any more exciting than
might be adopted by almost any 9TH
err type Of organization has won the
favor of the federation.
The Lewis-Gompers contest has, of
course, been the one great outstand-
ing feature, and when it is realized
that it is the first time since 1854
that there has been any contest at
all, it's Importance may seem almost
Of revolutionary character. But it
has been a contest Of personalities
rather than of principles, and Meth
er party has had much to offer in
the way of innovation.
Insofar as programs are concerned,
the action of the federation in over
throwing the majority report against
and solidly reaffirming the stand
taken at the Montreal convention last
year-namely that government own
ership and democratic operation of
the roads is necessary, is perhaps
the most important happening of the
convention. The supporters of the
railroad resolution returned by the
majority committee branded the OPP
position as violently red" but the
tn Q09rad
The action is deeply significant for
two reasons, first, because the Plumb
plan idea indorsed last year and put
through against the opposition of Mr..
Gompers, marking the first effective
revolt against his leadership, has
now become a definite part of the
federation's policy; and second, be-
cause it indicates strongly the grow
ing influence of the railroad labor
organizations which, by reason of
their definite popular and generally
constructive program seem destined
to take over the real leadership OF
the labor movement in the United
States.
Otherwise. however. the attitude
of the convention on resolution has
been disappointing to the progress
sive faction. 1t has shown pretty
clearly that the craft union idea is
SOl1dly enLrenCned Ill IIllS COuHIlS
and that any policies adopted by the
federation will be measured and di-
rected by the balancing interests of
the various trades. rather than die
tated by the welfare Of organized Ia
Dor as a whole. In other words, the
labor movement in this country is
proceeding definitely upon craft lines,
rather than upon a definite policy In
which craft aims would be subordi-
mated.
The traditional trade union opposi-
ton to immigration, particularly to
the admission of orientals; the OBJ
vious Discrimination to adopt any tao
tics that might SAVIOR of militancy,
except in respect to court injunc-
tions and their alleged abuse; and
the complete ascendancy of political
consideration at all times have been
strongly emphasized in this conVen-
ton. which in these respects differs
not in the least from any that have
preceded it in the last ten or twenty
years. The war referendum idea was
branded as a nightmare" proposals
that British goods be boycotted in or
der that sympathy might be shown
fore Ireland were defeated complete
ly; and the idea of organizing the
steel industry was allowed to be
dealt with by the familiar method of
procrastination. Such action shows
conclusively that no proposals by
progressives. radicals or racial in
terests are likely to stampede the Ia
Dor movement in this country for
some few years, at least.