The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1921-09-02
What the American
Federation of Labor
Approves and Condemns

ment benefits to be paid by taxing
industry was voted down by the con-
vention of the A. F. of L. after long
debate. President Gompers made a
long speech vigorously opposing the
proposal, declaring: "Much as | love
the government of the United States,
| would not entrust the destinies of
the toilers to it." The resolution was
proposed by number of delegates of
the Machinists and was defended by
them.
In long session of rapid work, the
convention adopted the following re-
concentrations in the report of the
executive council without debate:
That the cause of disarmament can
best be served by creating public SEN
timent against war. This was in lieu
of resolution by Peter j. Brady, of
New York, calling for conference
of the powers on disarmament.
Commencing Representative Nolan,
of California, for his bill providing
a minimum wage of So day for
government employees. Also reso-
luton urging the passage of the bill.
Recommending passage of Senator
Johnson's bill providing compensation
for seamen and dependents of seamen
killed in the course of employment
and also a bill for compensation of
longshoremen.
Support of the United Mine Work
ers in the injunction cases now pend
ing against them in the federal courts
at Indianapolis.
Recommending the Massachusetts
law on cooperative banks and credit
unions. This was in lieu of resolu-
ton recommending that all interna-
tional unions establish banks similar
to those owned by the Machinists and
Locomotive Engineers.
Opposing the section of the Calder
coal control bill that would give the
secretary of labor power to investi-
gate wages, living conditions and out
put of coal miners, on the ground that
this power would be used to fix wages
by a government bureau.
Increasing appropriations for the
federal employing bureau.
Approving the action of the execu-
utive council in joining the personal
research foundation to gather statis-
tics useful to labor.
O. B. u. Condemned
Condemning the one big union
movement in Canada and urging that
international unions make an effort to
get workers away from the Q. B. U.
and into the trades union movement.
Urging passage of house bill that
prohibits the dismissal of civil ser
vice employees without trial.
A resolution that the convention ap-
prove move to have the railway
wage board reduce the salaries of rail
road officials was referred to the ex-
ecutive council with instructions to
compile data as to the salaries of all
high-paid officials of the railroads in
cluding attorneys, and to take such
action as they think best.
A resolution condemning the Hearst
newspapers was adopted without de-
bate.
The convention was not permitted
to register it's wishes on the proposal
of the executive council favoring an
amendment to the constitution taking
from the supreme court the right to
declare laws unconstitutional. The
committee referred this back to the
executive council to be considered In
connection with labor's reconstruction
program, which means that it will
sleep indefinitely.
The convention unanimously voted
for a modification of the eighteenth
amendment so as to permit the sale
of beer.
Other policies favored by the exec
utive council and the convention are;
That immigration from all countries
be stopped until the labor situation
has become more stable.
That labor oppose the weakening OF
destruction of the departments of la
Dor and agriculture and the establish
ment of the proposed new department
of welfare.
That conference boards of employ
ers and organized workers be devils
ed as a step toward industrial de-
mocracy.
That the policy of seeking unity of
action with organized farmers be con-
tinued.
Nonpartisan Politics Continued
The committee approved the COM
ments of the executive council of the
A. F. of L. non-partisan political pol
icy and recommended that it be made
permanent, with standing committee
and Washington legislative refer
ence bureau to keep track of the rec
ords of congressman.
Following the lead of the commit
tee on education, after the committee
on executive councils report had fin
ished, the convention defeated reso-
luton to endorse the World War Vet
Grams and Reimbursed its policy adopt