The Washington times., 1921-06-16
DEFENSIVE
M|ERCEROF
ALL TRADES
IS SOUGHT
Labor Would Band Together for
Unity of Action in Fight
ing Wage Cuts.

DENVER, June 16.-Proposal of
a "big union" in the American Fed
Grafton of Labor has been made for
the first time in the federation's his
tory.
Two resolutions introduced TODAY
provide for united action by all
crafts affiliated with the federation,
which would enable the body to op-
crate in effect as one big union on
matters vital to organized labor in
general.
GENERAL STRIKE POWER.
! One resolution would empower the
executive council with the authority
TO declare general strike to combat
nationwide movements to reduce
| wages and union standards
The other, introduced by delegates
from the West Virginia State Fedora
tion OF Labor. declaring that Organ
| ized labor, having reached the point
in It's history of advancement where
there must be unit of understanding
and action. one craft with another.
or De destroyed by the enemies of our
cause. provides that in their CON
tracts all crafts shall insert a clause
which will enable each to come to the
aid OF the other and that all future
contracts entered into by organized
iaoor snail expire simultaneously.
woLL ARRAIGNs BANKS.
Declaring that the credit system of
the country is being used by the great
banking firms and insurance eroups
10 crush organized labor a resolution
introduced by Matthew Woll. eighth
vice president OF the federation, pro-
poses n
an exhaustive investigation of the
system and ascertain the possibIIitje,
OF pooling all the proxies held by or
ganlzed labor in mutual insurance
companies TO combat the interest in
lmlcsi to the unions with their own
weapons
Politics and the Irish question viii,
Neep me convention seething from now
on, according to DEVELOPMENTS today
The movement to oust Samuel Com
pers, for thirty-nine years head Of
the federation, has come to life with
bang. The campaign to elect John
l.. Lewis, head of the United Mine
Workers of America. the largest
union In the federation, is now in the
open.
PREDICT LEWIS CAUCUS.
Lewis supporters are actively at
work in his behalf making known
that he is a receptive candidate and
their activities and Lewis silence
nave fflled Gompers with apprehen-
sion They predict a caucus OF tn.
Lewis forces and the railroad unions.
the drawing up of a program for A
complete reorganization OF the ex-
ecutive council, and the uniting of
all factions of the opposition TO
Gompers into "soiid phalanx."
Gompers also has men out feeling,
sentiment These, predicting COL
lapse OF Lewis boom, point to spIits
in Lewis own delegation. Frank Far
rtngton, miners leader. OF Springfield.
III; Robert Harlan, who ran against
Lewis in the miners last election. and
Alex Howat, the lighting miner of
Kansas have been openly hostile to
Lewis. Two other members OF the
delegation are classed as doubtful,
while the remainder are certain to
support Lewis.
I'VE do not love Lewis, but that is
not saying we love Gompers" said
Harlan who is head OF the miners OF
the state OF Washington. AS mat
ter OF fact, we have not decided on our
course in event Lewis runs. The
rank and file OF the federation Is in
revolt; the king is dead The ques-
ton Is whether we should take any
one, however undesirable he may be,
to succeed the king"
GRAND RUKUs OVER ERIN.
Already there is a grand rukus on
over the Irish question with Peter ].
Brady. supervisor of the city record
Of New York, as the central hgur. 1t
is openly charged that Brady has
betrayed has word" to Harry Bo-
land, secretary to Eamonn de Va
lera president of the Irish Repub-
lie"
His refusal to sign the resolution
providing for boycott OF British
made goods has brought q telegram
from Boland calling on him To keen
his promise. Il became known today.
II II declared that Brady on his
way to Denver on the special trAIA
which brought Gompers and has
narfw sAaAaa IN. resalut.oo. =