Pueblo chieftain., 1921-06-23
TAKES BROAD STAND
GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP PHASE
Affms Control Of Railroads and All Basis Industries
When Desired By Workers

Denver. Colo, June 22-After af-
flrming its stand for government owner
ship with democratic operation of the
raiHoads the convention of the Amer
lean Federation of Labor directed it's
executive council to draw up proposed
legislation designed to put similar
policy in effect in all basic industries.
when desired by the workers.
The convention sustained the action
of the resolutions committee in strik
ing out of the resolution a phrase that
would have put organized labor
on record as declaring for government
control and democratic operation OF
all industries organized under cor
porate grants and privileges"
In authorizing the legislation pro-
gram the convention overthrow the
majority report of the resolutions COM
mittee which only provided aid for the
railroad unions in their fight for gov
ernment ownership of the railroads.
The debate was long and stormy, op-
ponents of the minority declared that
its declarations were socialist and
red" and were designed TO extend gov
ernment ownership to all basic indus
tries of the country including the
mines, textile. iron and steel. news
paper and book Industries. They were
answered with the argument that the
declara tions set forth a sane and con-
structive policy for organized labor"
and there was no socialism, bolshe-
vism, communism or anarchism in it"
Because of objections of Interna-
tional Seamen's union and the team
sters' union delegates to government
control OF thor Industries the conven-
ton amended the declarations which
called for immediate legislation pro-
viding for government ownership and
democratic control OF the transporta-
rairoad systems.
One of the main supporters OF the
report involving the application OF the
principles of government owner ship
to all basic Industries was President
John l.. Lewis, of tho United Mine
Workers who is a candidate for the
presidency of the federation. Mr..
Lewis said the miners still had under
consideration the problem OF national
ization Of tho mines and he declared
for government control of those basic
industries where the workers felt such
policy was essential and desirable.
Il believe in the right of labor and
tho public to regulate the affairs of
Industry In the interest OF all the
people" he said. The American Fed
Grafton OF Labor hereby declares" said
the approved declaration its
purpose to secure return
to those principles upon which
our government was instituted in order
that we may better secure tho bless
ings of liberty and to that end We
rcaffirm our united support OF leris-
lation that will bring about the public
ownership and Democratic operation
Of tho railways of the United States as
hsing in strict conformity with these
principles upon which the government
is Instituted"
I'VE declare for tho recognition and
restoration OF these fundamental prin-
ciple, SO that those men who contrib
ute their effort to the industry shall
enjoy all the rights. privileges and
irnmunitics granted to those men who
contribute capital in proportion TO the
valus which each contributes in order
that tho government shall be insti-
tuted for the common good and not for
tho profit of a class and in order that
nil men may enjoy the gains OF their
own Industry"
In order to put the declarations into
effect into the industrial lifo of the
nation, the convention directed the cS-
crutivc council to devise and publish
the necessary legislative program dc
signed to make effective tho furds-
mental principles of government set
forth and to secure two men employed
tn organized industry 'hn, equality of
enjoyment of all tho rights. privileges
and immunitics now enjoyed by those
who contribute capital TO organized in
duStrial enterprises. to tho cnd that In
dustry conducted under corporate
common good and not for the profit OF
a class OF men
Tho council ss Also directed to as