The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-02-24
LABOR URGES
WILSON VETO
ON. RAIL BILL
Executives of National and In
ternational Trade Unions
Urge President to Check
Winslow-Towner Measure.
TO FIGHT INJUNCT|ONS
(0y Associated Pressl


WASHINGTON, Feb 24.-President
Wilson was urged to veto the Wins
low-Townsend bill as an "unjustified
and unjustifiable concession to the
railroad owners who have shown a
want on disregard for laws and law
full processes in a resolution adopt
ed here today by executives of nation
al and international trade unions af-
filiated in the American Federation of
Labor.
Should congress attempt to over
ride a veto and enact the measure
which provides for immediate pay
ment of large part of the $500 100000
due the railroads under the transpor-
tation, legislative representatives OF
all labor organizations are instructed
to "use every effort and all legitimate
means" to prevent passage of the bill.
FIay Railroads.
Refusal of the railroads to meet in
general conference with railroad
workers unions was evidence of a
purpose to destroy trade unionism
what is identical with the so-called
open shop movement in the steel and
other industries"
tional drive to offset "open shop and
other propaganda of enemies of organ
lied labor were being considered.
Details Withheld
While the details of the program
were withheld, it is understood pro-
posals have been submitted for con-
Quoting central information bureau
for the dissemination of the principles
Of unionism. Plans also are being
considered. it is understood. to send
a corps of minute men" throughout
the country to give the public first
hand information regarding the organ
ized labor movement.
Publicity may also be used to boost
the federation's legislative program
and its fight against injunction and
industrial courts.
Recommendations regarding the
publicity campaign will be made to
the conference by the federation's 8
executive council which has had the
matter under consideration.
Discuss Dry Act
Repeal of the Volstead act will be
another matter to be considered. The
executive council has been asked to
consider a proposal to ask congress
to take action toward the repeal Of
the act and make report at today's
meeting.
While the conference was cleaning
up it's lAst business today a staff of
clerks were busy at the federation
headquarters preparing for nation
wide distribution organized labor's
declaration of principles adopted ses-
sion.
Sets Forth Grievances.
This declaration which sets forth the
full story of labors grievances and
recommendations for their correction
is considered by labor leaders to be
one of the most important documents
ever issued by the federation.
ut is the pronouncement of move
ment that is consecrated to the cause
of freedom as Americans understand
freedom said the preamble to the
declaration. 1T is the message of men
and women who will not desert the
cause of freedom, no matter what the
tide Of the struggle.
Declare Viewpoint.
Labor speaks from no narrow or
selfish point of view. 1t speaks from
the standpoint of American citizen
ship.
standing between two opposing
forces uncompromisingly toward both,
the American trade union movement
today finds itself and every American
institution of freedom assailed and at
tackled by the constituencies autocrats
of industry and the followers of radi-
cal European fanaticism. If either of
these wins the doors of democratic
freedom and opportunity can never be
recpened in our time"
While charging unemployment to
the "maladministration of industry" D."
the statement declares also that the
condition of unemployment has been
"accentuated by keeping open the
fiood-gates of immigration which has
added to the confusion and given en-
ployers an additional weapon in their
efforts to reduce the American stand,
ard of living.