Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-06-18
LABOR SEEKS
GOV'TCONTROL
AS PANACEA
Rail Unions Propose to Get
Rights by Public Owner
ship.
BEFORE A. F. L. MEETING

DENVER. June 1S.-The most sweep
ing program ever yet proposed by or
yanized labor. calling for Government
ownership and control OF the steel in
sustry. the coal mines and all other
basic industries is demanded by the rail-
road unions.
Delegates Of the railroad workers TO
the convention OF the American Fedora
ton Of Labor, meeting in caucus last
night, took sction, II was learned today,
that binds them to stand as a unit behind
4 resolution providing that the executive
council Of the federation shall draft and
publish a program Of legislative action,
applying the principle Of Government
ownership and democratic control to all
basic Industries.
There is intimation that the majority
Df the resolutions committee, headed by
James Duncan, first vice president OF the
federation, and John F. Frye. editor Of
The Iron Moulde-s' Journal, who led the
opposition to the Plumb plan last year,
DO not look with favor on this provision
Of the resolution. The railroad unions now
threaten a fight IN the convention that,
According to predictions, will parallel last
years contest. which resulted in an over
Ehelming victory for Government owner
lhip and democratic control OF the rail-
roads over the Gompers' opposition. They
lgain expect to have the support of the
eoaI miners, who already have declared
Tor the naturalization Of the coal mines.
MUST HAVE VOICE IN
CONTROL OF INDUSTRIES.
Notice was served on labor that it
sould not get its rights from the inter
ssts controlling industry when Judge z.
II. Gary, by his refusal to accept col
ective bargaining, forced Samuel Com
pers and other members Of the labor
delegation to withdraw from President
Wilson's first Industrial conference" said
Fred Hewitt, representing W. H. John
stOn, president of the International As
ISOLATION Of Machinists, and one Of the
leaders Of the rail union delegates.
1.-The present war on labor shows it
can never secure those rights until il
has a voice in the control of basic in
dustries. The time has come in our Opin-
In to demand 4 program OF industrial
democracy that viii apply the principle
Of Government ownership and democratic
control not only To tie raIrOaus, DuI
to the steel industry. the coal miners
and all other industries classed as
basic"
FATHER OF PLUMB PLAN
To ADDRESS CONVENTION.
Glen E. Plumb, father Of the Plumb
plan, viii arrive in Denver early next
week to address the convention at its
Invitation. He Is expected to present
lew program that will be the kernel OF
the idea on which the program demanded
by rail unions will be based.
Supporters OF John L. Lewis are con-
ddenty predicting his election as presi-
dent Of the Federation and announce
ment Of retirement by Samuel GOmpers
The Lewis boom has spread Ike wild
Ore notwithstanding rumors spread bv
the GOmpers supporters that Lewis has
no intention OF running and will seconi
the nomination Of Gompers. A Statement:
from Lewis announcing whether he will
be a candidate is expected Monday.
According to present indications, the
rail unions viii support him 1t is con-
ceded that he has the votes of the car
penters, which next to his own union.
has the largest voting delegation in the
Federation. With the railroad unions
and carpenters, Lewis supporters claim
to have enough other votes pledged that
will give the miners head overwhelming
victory in a contest with Gompers. and
some OF the most conservative leaders are
Joining the fOrecas ters who see Lewis
the next head Of the Federation
ACCUSE HEARST OF
UNDERMINING LABOR.
A resolution which charges that the
Hearst newspapers are engaged in propa-
ganda which has for its purpose the
destruction OF the American labor move
ment." will lead to an attack on William
Randolph Hearst from the floor of the
convention, IL was learned today.
From the GOmpers enthusiasts come
charges that Hearst has a representative
here with 100000 to defeat Gompers
and elect John L. Lewis. The basis of
the resolution before the convention is a
report published in the Chicago Herald
Examiner Of a meeting of the Chicago
Federation of Labor in which some one
Is alleged to have cried:
Throw Sam Gompers out" John Fitz-
patrick, president Of the Chicago Fed
Grafton, in a letter to GOmPers, denied
that Euch iupida0f fooE nIara