Evening journal., 1921-06-13
LABOR REPORTS
GAINS IN YEAR
Report Says Open Shop
Movement Has Bene-
fitted Unionism
RENEW WAR ON
BOLSHEVISM

DENVER. Col, June Omitted
Press -wage-cutting by large em-
ployers advocating the american
plan" has aided organized labor in
its fight against the open shop, ac-
cording to belief Of labor leaders
here.
Matthew VOL. vice-president of
the A. F.. OF L.. which opened It's
annual convention her today de-
clared in an interview with the
United Press that open shop employ
ers had greatly strengthened the
ranks Of unionism by the arbitrary
way in which they reduced wages
without consultation or considera-
ton.
Vol pointed to the increase in
membership Of the American Fedora
tion Of Labor as shown in the execu-
tive councils report as evidence Of
the claim that the employees are div
ing the men into the ranks Of union
ism.
The increase is not altogether
made up Of paying members, though.
A member who is out of work does
not have to pay union dues and the
number who is paying dues de-
creased because OF unemployment.
The open shop fight is the most
important question coming before
the convention. Decision OF many
other important matters. such as
wage-cutting and unemployment
will hinge on the plans made to fur
ther combat the open shop drive.
Following addresses Of welcome
by Mayor c. ID. Bailey and others.
Samuel Gompers. president OF the
Federation, delivered his annual ad-
dress.
The report of the executive coun-
Gil shows that since the Montreal
convention. labor has spent Ss,462,-
IT'S in sustaining strikes, OF which
1886 were reported involving 191. .934
workers The report. however, is
described rs incomplete. owing to the
failure OF some afiliated unions to
make a full report.
During the year the Federation is
sued 1896 new charters to unions in
process OF organization. while 2177
charters we're surrendered.
The report OF the Council, the
most important group with the fed
Grafton. is Intended to strike a key
note for the convention. II gives a
history of the activities c. the fed
Grafton and its officers for the year
reports on legislation favorable and
unfavorable to labor in the States
and federal bodies. adverse court
decisions.
Along with the report are pre-
scented resolutions which will be con
sidered and passed or rejected b,
the delegates each day.
The report condemns the Kansas
Industrial Court. all compulsory ar.
| bitration laws. calls on workers tc
resist wage reductions. work for the
repeal of the labor sections OF the
transportation law and inveighs
against the spread OF Bolshevism
and Communism which is now try
/ ing to overthrow the government OF
/ the United States, il is declared.
Under the heading Wages and
Cost Of Living the report said il
part;
THE practice OF fixing wages sole.
ly on a basis OF the cost OF living
a violation Of the whole philosoph,
in progress and civilization, and
furthermore. is a violation OF souns
economic theory and is utterly with
, out logic or scientific support OF an!
: kind. What we find as a result o
, practice. so far as II has gone. is tina
there is constant tendency unde
/ Il TO classify human beings and {
standardize classes, each class hav
I ing a presumptive right to a give
Z quantity of various commodities
American industry has reached
5 point where il must give to worker
81 a consideration that goes beyond IN
e bare essentials OF sustaining life"
: The convention was urged to pas
. resolutions calling on the govern
ment of the United States TO TAX
the initiative or to cooperate wit
: any other nation or nations for n
! initiative or TO cooperate with an
purpose of a general agreement fc
disarmament both Of the army an
naval affairs OF the world"