The New York herald., 1921-06-25
A. F. l. VOTES DOWN
EQUALITY OF WOMEN
Denver Convention Also Re-
fuses to Force Unions to
Admit Negroes.
SIX HOUR DAY DEFEATED
Gcmpers and Lewis Both Con-
fident Of Election in
Battle To-day.

DENVER, June 24.-The convention Of
the American Federation of Labor to-
: day voted down a constitutional amend
ment designed to give women equal
rights and privileges of membership in
the union of their trade or industry"
All affiliated unions. however, were
urged not to discriminate against the
woman wage Garner and admit her to
membership.
Efforts to wipe out the color line"
in organized labor organizations also
failed. The convention took the stand
that national and international unions
could not be compelled to recognize
negro workers, and that this was mat
ter to be adjusted by conferences be-
tween the negro wage earners and the
various organizations.
The action of the executive council in
repudiating and severing relations with
the International Federation OF Trades
Unions was sustained tonight by an
overwhelming vote.
1t was declared that only few unions
Disseminated against women, and there
fore tha body disapproved the amend
ment and urged that those interna-
tional and national organizations which
do not admit women to membership give
early consideration for such admission"
Equal rights for women in industry
was voiced by delegates from the cigar
makers and the laundry workers unions,
who declared 'if a. woman does a
mans work she should receive a mans
pay" All declared that organized labor
should protect the women wage earners
w. d. Mahon, president of the Anal
gamated Association of Street Railway
Employees, declared that his organiza-
tion would not allow the federation to
dictate to 1t in the matter of woman's la
Dor. He said he was in favor of pro-
lection for woman workers, but he did
not believe that the back platform Of
street car was the place for woman"
The defeated constitutional amend
nent would have provided for the is
suance of a separate charter by the fed
Grafton to woman's local without the
consent of the union having jurisdiction
ever the particular trade.
Replying to question from the floor
as to whether it was possible to force
any affiliated union to wipe out the color
line" President Gompers said:
"The American Federation of Labor
has previously declared that it Is the
duty Of all workers to organize, regard
less Of sex, nationality, race, political
belief or color.
THE federation. however, cannot force
this view upon individual or affiliated
unions without their consent"
Negro Delegate Protests.
Jordan w. Chambers, negro delegate
of the railway coach cleaners of St
Louis. declared that conferences between
members of his race and the unions had
been ordered at previous conventions,
but never had been held, and urged
drastic action to compel recognition OF
the negro workers. ~
To union labor organizations of Wheel
ing. w. Va, were voted assistance of
the federation in fighting a court injunc-
ton served on them yesterday.
The convention unanimously rejected
a proposal by the Central Labor Council
of Seattle for nationwide campaign to
establish maximum six hour day and
abolish all overtime in industry.
The convention called upon President
Harding to investigate the strike riots
at the Standard Steel Car Company
Hammond. Ind. in September. 1919, and
to fix the responsibility for the Issuing
of guns" and the death of four steel car
workers.
Both candidates-John l.. Lewis and
Samuel Gompers-were equally conf
dent tonight of winning the presidency
of the federation tomorrow. Their sup
Poitclo Wtic WiHulHS UP tO-ntt, nt one OF
the hottest political campaigns ever
waged In the history of organized labor
Working for Big Battle To-day.
Throughout the day electioneering
ragged on the floor of the convention.
Time and time again the proceedings
were interrupted by caucusing of dele
gates. Protests were made to Gompers
that steps be taken to keep order.
Once Gompers warned organizers of
the federation to stay off the convention
floor and not attempt to do any elec-
tioneering. He ruled also that delegates
must keep their seats. but this order
was not generally obeyed.
The Lewis supporters said they had
made gains and had sufficient votes to
elect the mine workers chief by several
thousand majority. while the Gompers
boomers asserted that the veteran labor
leader would win easily"
A split in the ranks of the miners
delegation threatened to deprive Lewis
of 1896 votes. as II was announced to-
night by Frank Harrington, president of
the Illinois district. that neither he,
Alexander Howat of the Kansas district,
nor Robert Harlan of the Washington
district would vote for Lewis.