Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-06-13
MOmentOus Session
Continued from PAGE Onel


would deal with the great postwar
issues confronting organized labor,
which are today in the balance at the
crucial moment, where the die must
be cast one way or the other"
More than 500 delegates from the
United States and Canada were assem-
bled for the meeting, which will prob
ably continue two weeks. j. H.
Thomas, president of the railway
workers of England, was here TO rep
resent as fraternaf delegate the
workers of Great Britain in the Brit
ish Trade Union Congress.
Despite many reports that President
Gompers and his administration
would be opposed for reelection, up to
tonight there had been no open indi-
cation of such movement.
While John L. Lewis, president of
the United Mine Workers, doomed as
anti-Gompers forces, declined to make
any statement. it was understood that
he would not oppose the labor chief.
The delegates to the machiners'
union can not vote for President Com
pers as they were instructed by the
convention of their international or
ganization not to vote for any officer
who is an active or honorary member
of the National Civic Federation"
They have not announced any inten-
ton of putting candidate in the field.
The machiniSts' delegates also are
instructed to vote for the passage Of
a resolution providing for the. election
of the officials and members of the
executive council of the federation by
a general referendum of all organized
workers of the country. They also
want the federation reorganized along
industrial lines instead of craft lines
making it a great Industrial con-
gress.
Leaders of railroad organizations
and several other unions. it was
learned. We're planning to hold con-
ference to decide whether they would
put a candidate in the field for vice
president. Last year these organiZa-
tons attempted to get this represen-
tation on the federation's executive
council but failed The major issues
before the convention as outlined by
Pres. Gompers tonight include:
The condition of unemployment,
of which estimates run as high as s.
100000 workers
THE American movement to
crush labor and blast its spirit
through what is called, with misera-
bic disregard for the truth, the open
shop movement.
The railroad problem, involving
the nations chief means of transport
tation.
The immigration problem with it's
vital bearing on American standards
of living and of citizenship.
The problem of Russian affairs,
the cancer that is eating at the vi
tails of world civilization.
THE problem of how best to meet
conditions brought about by court de-
cisions. a problem unhappily not de-
creasing in Importance. and for that
reason demanding more than usual
attention"
Disarmament and the Irish question
and the high cost of living will also
occupy outstanding positions on the
federation's program
The adoption of resolution calling
upon congress to take steps to bring
about world wide disarmament would
be unopposed. labor leaders declared,
as the conventions in 1913. 1914 and
1919 went on record favorable to in
ternational disarmament.
Two factions of Irish sympathiZers
have developed among the delegates.
one is preparing a resolution de
manding that the Harding admins
tration Immediately recognize the
Irish republic. that Great Britain
withdraw her troops from Ireland
and that she also repay immediately
the $4,000 000.00 loaned her BY the
United States.
The other group is preparing SIM
liar resolutions but demands that
Pres. Gompers take steps to put any
action of the convention on the Irish
question into effect.
A resolution urging support of the
McFaoden Dill in Congress to place a
$40 an ounce bonus on gold for five
years will be presented by the fed
eration's mining department.
"A bonus on gold production is
about the only solution we can see
Tor conditions which have made So
per cent of our members idle" said
Charles H. Meyer of Denver presi-
dent of the international. Union of
Mine. Mill and Smelter Workers.
Gold at its present price can not be
mined at a profit unless it is of very
hjerh Ic