The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1921-06-23
WITH RESCUERS NEAR,
MAN, TRAPPED BY FIRE,
DROPPED TO SIDEWALK
LEWIS STANDS FOR
COTT. OWNERSHIP
On That and a Platform Calling for
Naturalization of the Mines
He Hopes for A. F. of
: L. Presidency.

Denver, Col, June 23.---Government
ownership of the railroads and ma
tionalization of the mines are the two
major issues on which John L. Lewis
hopes to win the presidency of the
American Federation of Labor, it was
learned to-day On the other hand,
President Samuel Gompers was striy-
ing for reelection upon his record OF
the past Al years as leader in the
American labor movement.
In his first public statement as to
his platform, Mr.. Lewis, president of
the united mine workers, said:
II stand for government ownership
of the railroads and naturalization of
the mines, and other progressive legls-
lation that will give the workers and
the toilers of America the freedom and
justice in industry they deserve.
Il stand for health insurance, old
age pensions and unemployment insur-
ances-all progressive measures for the
relief of the working masses. The en-
actment of laws covering these sub
jects would give to the workers ade-
quate protection and reward for the
service that they have rendered in
dustry."
Mr.. Lewis said that he had taken no
definite stand on the subject of rela
tions with European trades union
movements, adding:
II believe, however, that some logi
cal proposition can be worked out by
which the American labor movement
again may be affiliated with the inter-
national federation of trades unions.
OF course the autonomy of the Ameri-
can organization must be fully guaran
tecd.
In any event I believe we should
not lose contact with the European fed
GRAFTON and we should be in communi-
cation with that body"
"All my policies" he continued, will
be formulated on sane and construc
tive basis and be designed to meet and
adequately dispose of the great issues
that confront organized labor as they
exist to-day"
While President Gompers issued no
statement supporters in his behalf de-
clared that his record in the American
labor movement during the past Al
years would re-elect him to the presi-
dency." This made the issues between
the two candidates clear as President
Gompers has already gone on record
against government ownership, unem
ployment insurance, health insurance
and similar proposed legislative meas
ures.
Supporters of both candidates con-
tinued their campaigns ut top speed TO
day, carrying their electioneering to
the floor of the convention where they
went from group to group of delegates
soliciting their support Little change,
however, was shown in their lineups
for the candidates.
The railroad organizations up to to-
day had failed to declare which candi
date they would support. If they reach
agreement, labor leaders say, their
vote probably would decide the elec
tion.
With the railroad and the Irish ques
tion disposed of, the convention to-day
began to dispose OF number of minor
matters and prepared the way to take
up jurisdictional disputes and the ques-
tion of relations with European labor
Among the more than score Of res
olutions adopted yesterday were in.
eIpded declarations:
Urging passage of the Nolan bill to
make the minimum wage for govern.
ment employees SO.
Supporting the executive councils re-
port on adverse court decisions and
urging enactment of national anti.
injunction law.
Supporting efforts of seamen to get
workmen's compensation and accident
insurance.
Supporting the united mine workers
in their court cases growing out of the
coal strike.
Opposing the Calder coal bill in the
United States Senate.
Approving the Massachusetts law re-
lating to formation of cooperative
banks and credit unions
Requesting large appropriations for
the federal employment bureau.
Approving the executive councils re-
port condemning the zone big union. F"