Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1921-06-16
Leader Says Unions viii Con-
guer Opposition and
Go Forward.
BIG CONVENTION is OPENED
Report Submitted to Delegates Declares
Fight TO Kill Unions Is Lost-Rus-
sian Soviet Hit-Many Sub
iects to Be Considered.

cessfully defended its position against
the organized effort of antiunion EN-
ployers," the executive council Of the
American Federation of Labor declares
in it's annual report submitted to the
federation convention, which opened
here:
1T is true" says the report, that
the organized employers are still max
ing strenuous efforts to destroy trade
unionism and that in many directions
the campaign to reduce wages con-
tinues. What is really true is-that
these movements continue with con-
stantly decreasing vigor and effect
and that their momentum Of three
months ago has been dissipated. The
employers, united as never before, ag-
gressive as never before and financed
as never before, have failed signally
and completely in the purpose they
sought to accomplish"
In addition to the points covered by
the executive councils report, the
question of recognition of the Irish~re-
public, unemployment, wage reduc-
tons, the open shop and other issues
are TO come before the convention.
Won't Support Russian Soviet.
| A considerable portion of the report
Is devoted to discussion of America
and the Russian soviets, and the coun-
ell says that America during the year
has fully Endorsed the stand of the
federation at the Montreal convention"
In resolving that the federation sis
not justified in taking any action which
could be construed as an assistance
to, or approval of, the soviet govern
ment of Russia as long as that govern
ment is based upon authority which
has not been vested in it by popu-
lar representative national assemblage
of the Russian people"
The report also say that las factor
and the United States the so-called
'one big union has practically ceased
to exist"
Gompers Addresses Convention.
Appeal for a closer alliance between
the organized Industrial workers and
the farmers of the country was made
by President Samuel Gompers in adj
dressing the opening session of the
forty-first annual convention of the
| American Federation of Labor.
Men in industry and in agricul-
ture," he said, must have a closer
alliance, to see to it that they shall
not be crushed by captains of indus
try and and princes of finance.
Under the pretext of establishing
department of public welfare, it is
proposed to destroy the Labor depart
ment as well as the Department of
Agriculture.
These two departments are the on
ly ones which represent the interests
of producers. Nobody knows where
reaction may finally lead. We shall do
our best to prevent such destructive
legislation"
He also sounded this battle cry:
| eWe will not and cannot retreat.
The labor movement stands intact and
will remain so. Before the next snow,
we will pass the 100000 membership
mark.
"0ne thing we need is solidarity
among the toiling masses of this coun-
try" declared Mr.. Gompers. 1--WE need
new spirit. not of resentment but
OF desire TO protect the interests of
the working masses of this country.
TO protect and strengthen the ground.
work OF our own structure.
|
no matter where born or where he may
reside, one principle from which we
cannot depart Is America tirstr
THE labor movement of America Is
endeavoring TO cultivate the best of
relations with other interests of our
country, but II we are TO retain our
standards and our rights we must pre-
sent solid front, united in spirit. In
fact and In idealism."
Welcome by Governor of State.
More than 500 delegates from all
sections of the United States and Can.
ada, headed by President Samuel
Gompers and the executive council OF
the federation, marched to the Munici.
pal auditorium where the meeting
opened with addresses of welcome by
Governor Shoup of Colorado, Mayor
Bailey and other state and municipal
officials.
The first order of business after the
seating OF the delegates was an ad.
dress by Mr.. Gompers reviewing the
accomplishments OF the federation dur.
Ing the past year and urging a more
active opposition on the part of or.
ganized labor to its enemies.
President Gompers and the execu.
tive council, II was learned. have
taken steps to adjust the situation
brought about by the withdrawal az
the carpenters union in the building
trades Department Of the federation