The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-13
UNIONS LOSE
MEMBERSHIP
SAYS REPORT
Nearly Million Less in Good
Standing Than in 1920.
American Federation Delegates
Meet in Denver.
FIGHT OPEN SHOP To FINISH
Ranks Still Unbr0ken, Declares
Pres. Samuel. Gompers.
Flags Kansas Industrial Court
! as Failure.
American Federation Delegates
Meet in Denver.
FIGHT OPEN SHOP TO FINISH
Ranks Still Unbroken, Declares
Pres. Samuel. Gompers.
Flags Kansas Industrial Court
as Failure.


labor union movement has been tried
in the fires of antagonism, but still
faces the world with ranks unbroken,
Samuel Gompers. president of the
American Federation of Labor, de-
clared in addressing the annual con-
vention here today.
Calling for a nation wide rallyfng of
the forces of organized labor Presi-
dent Samuel Gompers and leaders dis
closed that the membership is falling.
THE message of trade unionisna
must be carried to every corner 1t
was urged in the annual report of the
executive council, signed by President
Gompers and other leaders.
President Gompers, as a. result of
the report, will be authorized to direct
personally a nationwide recruiting
campaign. it is expected. Or, should
Gompers not be reelected, the author
ization will go to his successor.
Lost Nearly Million
The total paid up membership OF
the A. F. of L. now is 3,906,52S work.
ers, according to the annual report A
year ago the total was 4,07S,740. This
was reported at the 1920 convention
in Montreal That convention closed
with the rallying call: give million
members at Denver" The Denver
meeting finds the federation short OF
! the rallying cry by 1,093,472 members.
The annual report declared repeal
or the excess profit tax would be to
shift the ss9O,ooo.o0o. 900 year from
the rich able to bear it to the backs
| of the masses of our people" IT was
also declared the Esch-Cummins trans
portation law has proven a failure An
Investigation of the railroad situation
by a commission representing the pub
lie, workers and rail security holders
was proposed.
/ The rank and file of organized Ia
Dor Sas warned against the ca mpaign
for de facto recognition OF the soviet
| government for commercial purposes
on the ground that II is merely an at
| tempt of the Lenine-Trotsky regime
to esta Plish in the United States ''gov-
| ernmental economic slavery
Kansas Court Failed.
| The Kansas industrial court was
| branded failure because other
| states have failed to enact similar
| laws.
| The report presented to the conven-
| tion the text of bill to be introduced
in congress guaranteeing to the work.
| ers the right to join and form unions,
| strike to enforce their demands and
prohibiting courts from restraining
such actions with injunctions.
| Altho the report showed a decrease
| in membership in the federation dur
| Ing last year, union leaders claimed
that there had been an actual increa Sc
in all classes of members. Men out of
/ work are not obliged to pay dues and
are not counted as paying members.
Also the suspension of the mainte-
i nance of way railway union, with 30o,-
900 members, cut into the total mem
bership.
4 Discussing wage cutting, the coun-
ellis report declared the practice of
fixing wages solely on basis of the
I cost of living, is a violation of the
whole philosophy in progress and civil-
J ization.
Fight Open Shop TO Finish.
The convention gave a resoundine
endorsement to the statemen by S. p.
Oplinger, temporary chairman, that
labor would flight to a finish" the
open shop campaign.
J I'm our battle with the enemies OF
labor. we will echo the words of a IA
nous French general. they shall moi
, pass" 6plinger declared.
| Mayor d. C. Bailey. in welcoming
1.-THE delegates, declared Denver had
less unemployment in proportion te
its population than any other city In
= the country.
Oliver II. Shoup. Colorado's COVER
. nor. and James c. Bulger president OF
the Colorado Federation of Labor. de-
livered welcoming addresses.
March in Parade.
More than 500 delegates, headed by
) President Samuel Gompers. marched
to the municipal auditorium, to be
welcomed by Governor Shoup of Colo
. RADIO, and other officials.
! Samuel Gompers then reviewed this
! years accomplishments and urged q
! active opposition against union enc.
! mics.
President Gompers and the execu.
tive council, 1t was learned. have taker
! steps to adjust the situation brought
! about by the withdrawal of the car.
penters' union from the building
trades department.
President william L. Hutcheson. Of
! the carpenters, said his organization
: was ready to fight the matter cut or
the convention floor. Introduction oi
. resolutions was to take up most of to.
days program.
Erred ON CARD PLAYERS.