Omaha daily bee., 1921-06-14
Optimism
MarksLabor
Convention
Denver Gathering Largest in
History Of Federation
Progress in 1921 Pre-.
dicted by Compers.
Ranks Of Unions Intact

Auditorium. Denver, Colo, June l3.
Optimism marked the opening of
the 4lst annual convention Of the
American Federation of Labor to-
day-the largest gathering i'll the
history of the organized labor move
ment in America.
Declarations were made by the en-
ecutive council and by President
Samuel Gompers of the federation
that the enemies of labor and ad-
vocates of the open shop" had failed
in the drive to crush organized labor
and that the ranks of the American
trades union movement held intact.
A year of progress was predicted
for 1921. President Gompers declar-
ing that before the next snow falls
we shall have passed the 100000
mark in the American Federation of
Labor.
Closer alliance and corporation
between the organized industria.
workers OF the country and the farm
ers was urged by the veteran labor
leader in order that we shall not
be crushed by reaction of the indus
trial captains or princes of finance. y
Protest Scott Bill.
The first official action of the con-
vention was to adopt resolution
to be submitted to congress protest
ing against the Scott bill now pend
ing, which it was alleged would in
crease the length of the navigation
season on the great lakes, reduce
the number of skilled seamen err
ployed' on ships and increase the
hours OF labor. This action was
proposed by delegates of the inter
national seamen's union who declare
that the bill would eliminate provi-
sions in the seamen's act and would
increase the dangers incident to navi-
CATION. .3
The convention unanimously
adopted declaration of the execu-
tive council calling upon all local
and international unions to aid the
Pueblo food sufferers. The Plate
Printers union of Washington, D. C..
and the brotherhood of Railway
clerks. it was announced, had each
contributed $500.
Urging worldwide disarmament
in his address at the opening OF the
convention, President Gompers said:
Disarmament Is Urged.
/. II believe that the time will come
~, we have earnestly striven ~ard
we will continue to strive for the
time, when there is such a bill to
total disarmament in all the countries
of the world and that disarmament
will be based upon universal agree
ment."
He made an emphatic appeal to the
workers to unite in opposition to
the movement designed to create a
department Of public welfare.
"Under the pretense of trying to
create 4 department of public vel
fare it is seriously proposed to de.
stroy the Department of Labor and
the Department of Agriculture, he
said. mo one can foretell where
reaction leads. As a matter OF fact
these arc he only two departments
i'll the government of the United
States that represent at all producers
OF the wealth of our country and It
is seriously proposed to destroy these
two departments
Drive at Just Point.
The labor leader urged the dele
gates to discuss the questions con-
fronting the convention with mod
Grafton, with interest, with intelli-
gence, with intense feeling, always
driving at the just point"
while we love every human be-
ing" he added, no matter where
he may have been born or where he
now resides. and will help as best
we can, there is one principle
from which I feel we cannot Depart
America first"
President Gompers also paid a
high tribute to the memory OF John
Golden, former president OF the
United Textile Workers, and Milton
Snellings. president of the steam and
operating engineers union, who have
died during the last week. At his re-
quest the delegates and visitors
stood in silent meditation for one
minute.
Report is Submitted.
The report Of the executive council
was presented by James Duncan oi
Quincy, Mass. first vice president
1t covered the many important is
sues confronting organized labor
the topen shop" wage reductions
Irish question, relations with foreign
trade union movements, anti-labor
legislation, immigration, high cost oi
living, railroad situation and scores
OF other major problems. This re,
port with its recommendations wa:
Immediately referred to committee:
tor consideration.
The coming year must be a yea
OF progress" said the document
The blight of reactionary effort ha
}itten as deeply as possible. 1t ha
been checked. Our movement every
where must now rally to a fnilitan
offense against the-powers that hav'
sought our ruin.
While the annual report OF Secre
tary Frank Morrison showed tn
membership of the federation to b
5,o06,S2S as compared with 4,07S,74'
in 1920, it was stated that the rank
of organized labor had increased q
this report did not include thousand
OF members now involved in strike
or lockouts or unemloyed.
The secretary's report showed tina
there had been 1866 strikes durin,
= the year involving 1ol,o4 members
costing $S,462,l74. The federation
S.l sLl Ai