Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-06-23
OWNERSHIP Of
RAILROADS BY
COVE RNNENT IS
LABOR s PLAN
Also Want Equal Rights
and Privileges With Cap
itaI in Organized Indus
trial EnterpriSeS,
MAJORITY REPORT OF
COMMITTEE REJECTED
Lewis Says the Miners Still
Have Under Consideration
the Problem of NATIONAL
ization of Mines,

Denver, Colo, June 22.-After
affirming it's stand for government
ownership with democratic opera
ton of the railroads, the conven-
ton of the American Federation OF
Labor today directed its executive
council to draw up proposed leg
islation designed to give the work.
ers, thorough government regula-
tion, equal rights and privileges
with capital in organized industrial
enterprises.
The convention sustained the ac-
ton of the resolutions committee
In striking out of the resolution a
phase that would have put organ-
lied labor on record as declaring
for government control and demo-
cratic operation OF "all industries
organized under corporate grants
and privileges"
Report Overthrow.
In authorizing the legislation
program the convention overthrew
the majority report of the resolu-
tions committee, which only pro-
vided aid for the railroad unions in
their fight for government owner
ship of the railroads.
The debate was long and
stormy, opponents of the mi.
nOrity declared that its dec
laratiOns were socialist and
red" and were designed to eX-
tend government ownership to
all basic industries of the
textile, iron and steel, newspa-
per and book industries. They
were answered with the argu-
ment that the declaration set
forth a "sane and constructive
policy for organized labor"
and there was no socialism,
bOlshevism, communism or
anarchism in it,"
Two Unions Object.
Because of objections of Inter-
national Seamen's union and the
teamsters' union delegates to gov
ernment control of their industries,
| the convention amended the dec
laration which called for immedi-
ate legislation providing for gov
ernnment ownership and demo-
cratic control of the transporta-
ton, 80 that 1t would only apply
to railroad systems.
One of the main supporters of
the report involving the applica-
ltion of the principles Of govern
ment ownership to all basic indus.
tries was President John L. Lewis,
| of the United Mine Workers, who
| is a candidate for the presidency
of the federation.
Mr.. Lewis said the miners still
had under consideration the prob
| lem of naturalization of the mines
and he declared for government
control of those basic industries
where the workers felt such policy
was essential and desirable.
Rights of Labor.
"I believe in the right Of labor
and the public to regulate the af-
fairs of industry in the interest OF
all the people," he said.
'"The American Federation
of Labor hereby declares"
said the approved declaration,
sits purpose to secure n return
to those principles upon which
our government was institute
ed, in order that we may bet"
I ter secure the blessings of lib.
erty and to that end we reaf-
firm our united support OF
legislation that will bring
about the public ownership
and democratic operation OF
the railways OF the United
States as being in strict con-
formity with those principles
upon which the government is
instituted"
Government for Common Good.
1--WE declare for the recognition
and restoration of these funda-
mental principles so that those men
who contribute their effort to the
industry shall enjoy all the rights,
privileges and immunities granted
to those men who contribute capi-
tai in proportion to the value which
each contributes, in order that the
government shall be instituted for
1.-THE common good and not for the
profit of class and in order thst
all men may enjoy the gains OF
their own industry"
Legislative Program.
In order to put the declarations
into effect in the industrial life OF
1.-The nation" the convention direct
ed the executive council to devise
and publish the necessary legisla-
tive program designed to make ef-
fective the fundamental principles
(Continued on Page Two.)