The New York herald., 1921-06-11
METAL TRADES VOTE
TO STAY in A.F.OF |.
Plan for Withdrawal Is
Denounced as One Big
Union Idea.
BALLOT IS 3,210 TO III
Resolutions Are Adopted
Urging the Discharge of
Alien U. s. Employees.
GOMPERS is OPTIMISTIC
Tells Delegates in Denver That
American Labor Move
ment Is Safe.
GOMPERS IS OPTIMISTIC

DENVER, June 10.-"As long as live,
no matter how placed. I shall en-
deavor to pursue my lifes werk until
the end!"
With that pledge of service to the
perpetuty of the American labor
movement, Samuel Gompers, president
of the American Federation of Labor.
closed his address to-day before the
annual convention of the federation's
metal trades department.
when that end comes added the
veteran labor leader, II hope l may
be conscious so as to express to my
fellows the justice and the confidence
that l have in them and the respect
that / have for them and the hope for
the perpetuity of the great American
labor movement"
Mr.. Gompers urged the metal trades
unions to be optimistic as to the future,
asserting that the present reaction would
not be lasting. Organized labor, he de-
c.ared. will hold all it has gained and
has made successful fight against its
enemies.
"The American labor movement is
safe,' said the labor chief. ut is pro-
gressive. 1t is less fantastical. but it is
more practical"
Defeated by Heavy Vote.
DELEGATES to the convention of the
metal trades department by an over
whelming vote defeated proposal de-
signed to bring about the organization
of one big metal trades union in the
United States.
Representatives of the International
Association of Machinists. who intro
duced the resolution, were scored as ad-
vocating and attempting to revive the
zone big union idea in this country.
The debate was long and bitter, repre-
sentatives of the Pattern Makers League
of North America, the International
Brotherhood of Boilermakers and Inter-
national Brotherhood of Electrical Work.
ers vigorously opposing the proposal
A roll call showed that the resolution
was defeated by a vote Of 3,210 to III.
The International Association OF Ma
chinists was the only union to vote SOL
idly for the resolution. The Metal Pol
ishers International Union delegation
was split, while the Metral Trades Coun-
Gil of Chicago voted in the affirmative.
what Was Expected by Split.
The resolution presented by the ma
chinists asserted that the amalgamation
OF the metal trades organizations into
one compact, efficient union is OF ne
cessity the practical means or meeting
and solving the present great problem
and a guarantee that will provide for
the organized workers the ability to
protect their interests and secure i'm
proved economic conditions for the
future"
The convention adopted resolution
calling upon the department to recon-
mend to its affiliated organizations TO
make provisions in all future agreements
for the cquaiizing Of work during indus
trial depressions This resolution as
serted that II is apparent that great
portion of the present Industrial depres-
sion Is artificial and was manufactured
for the purpose of lowering living and
working standards and to weaken the
labor movement and break the morale
and spirit OF the workers.
The United States Civil Service Com
mission, the Secretary of War and the
Secretary of the Navy were urged by
the convention to dismiss all alien en-
ployees of the Government who do not
Immediately become citizens of the Uni
ted States.