Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1921-06-13
TRADE UNIONS
WINNING fight
A.F.L. REPORTS
Attacks Constantly Los
ing Force, Conven-
ton Is Told

DE4N V EN- june = Wy Aooo-
ciated Press employment, the
open shop, wage reductions, relations
with European labor federations, dis
armament, the Irish question, recog
milton of the Russian Soviet govern
ment and more than a score of other
major issues were before the forty
first annual convention of the Amer
lean Federation of Lhbor which open
ed here today for a two weeks ses-
sion.
The Trade union movement
in America ''has successfully
defended its position against the or
ganized effort of anti-union employ
ers," the Executive Council of the
American Federation of Labor de-
clares in it's annual report submitted
today. 1t adds that 1.-THE outlook is
for continuance of not only sue
cessful defense, butksteady and con-
sistent progress"
1T is true" says ahe report, that
the organized employers are still
making strenuous efforts to destroy
trade unionism and that in many
directions the campaign to reduce
wages continues. What is equally
true is, that these hovements con-
tinue with consta4tly decreasing
vigor and effect and that their mo-
mentum of three months ago has
dissipated.
Need of Vigilence.
"There is need for the utmost Wig
lance and labor can not relax in any
single effort, but must, on the con-
trary, continue its struggle with all
possible energy, intelligence and sol
idarity. 1t may, however, find salts
faction and cause for congratulatlon
in the fact that the employers, unit
ed as never before. aggressive as new
er before and financed as never be-
fore, have failed SO signally and so
completely in the purpose they sought
to accomplish"
The Councils report covers q wide
range of subjects and includes near
ly score of specific recommends
tions. Among them are:
That the railroad situation be IN
vestigated by National Commission,
consisting of seven representatives
each of the public, the stockholders
and classified labor, with a view to
recommending remedial legislation to
congress.
That the Executive Council be au-
! thorized to conduct an investigation
with a view to recommending at the
next convention a policy as a basis
for wage measurement as opposed to
the present plan of fixing wages IN
relation to the cost of living.
That the Federation endorse a JOINT
resolution to be presented in congress
proposing an amendment to the con-
stitution under which all measures
finally enacted by congress would be
valid under the constitution when
ever called into question.
| That the Federation take 'flrnl
stand" for the inauguration of defl-
mite policy calling for the total ex-
clusion from the United States OF
japanese with all other Orientals.
Fer Excess Profits
That the excess profits taxes be
retained by the federal government
and that the Federation oppose pro-
posals for new taxes and "leav moth
| ing undone to defeat the introduc-
ton of turnover consumption or
sales tax"
That the convention approve re-
cent recommendations by the Federal
| Trade Commission to President Hard
ing that the commission be authorlz-
ed to obtain and publish information
concerning ownership, cost, sales and
profits in the basic industries as a
means of reducing cost of living by
compelling those who sell the neees-
/ saries of life to accept smaller prof
! it's"
That the convention call upon the
American government ito take the
| initiative or to cooperate with any
other nation or nations for the pur-
pose of a general agreement for dis
armament, both of the army and
naval affairs of the world.
That in view of "an apparently
well-organized and systematic cam
paign by the National Association of
Manufacturers to conduct propa-
ganda in the schools of the country
IN furtherance of the so-called open
shop the Federation have prepared
pamphlets and literature bearing
! upon the questions involved for dis
! trlDJlOn TO tHe toieSe9, uHlNSl9Aele1
and schools"
That the Federation continue to
lend its aid to the United Mine Work
ers of America in the federal prose
cutions growing out of the coal strike
of 1919
That the Federation oppose legis-
lation that has for its purpose "the
further weakening of the Department
of Labor"
Membership Decreases.
The report gives the present
strength of the Federation of Labor
at 3,906,520 as against 4,078,740
! in 1920 and says that the slight de-
crease in members is naturally due
to the large numbers of workers un
employed" 1t points to the member
l,ship enrolment as proof that the
campaign against organized labor has
! failed.
"The American Trade union move
ment," the report declares, has Just
gone through a year of unexampled
struggle and difficulty. The enemies
of labor and human progress have
assailed from every side. The move,
,..o,,4 e.. ,-adx,ofson oF xrafxao AR4e