Evening star., 1921-06-23
PACKERS. CONTROL
. .ASKEDBYA Fl.
Calls on Congress to Enact
Such Legis-
Iati0n.

SuCII ICyto
Iati0n.
By the Associated Press.
DENVER, Col, June 23.-The con-
vention of the American Federation
of Labor today called upon Congress
to enact legislation to control the
meat packing industry Of the country.
Lewis Platform.
In his first public statement as to
his platform, Mr.. Lewis, president OF
the United Mines Workers, said:
Il stand for government owner
ship of the railroads and nationaliza-
tion of the mines, and other progress
sive legislation that will give the
workers and the toiters OF America
the freedom and justice in Industry
they deserve.
II stand for health insurance.. old
age pensions and unemployment in
surances-all progressive measures
for the relief Of the working masses.
The enactment of laws covering these
subjects would give to the workers
adequate protection and reward for
service that they have rendered in
dustry."
Mr.. Lewis said that he had taken
relations with European trades union
movements, adding:
Il believe, however. that some 1ogt-
cal proposition can be worked out
by which the American labor move
ment again can be affiliated with the
International Federation of Trade
Unions. OF course. the autonomy Of
the American organization must be
fully guaranteed.
In any event, l believe we should
not lose contact with the European
federation and we should ne in COM
munication with that body
"All my policies" he continued,
will be formulated on a sane and con-
structive basis and be designed to
meet and adequately dispose OF the
great issues that confront organized
labor as they exist today
While President Gompers issued no
statement, supporters in his behalf
declared that his record in the
American labor movement during the
past forty-one years would re-elect
him to the presidency"
This made the issues between :he
two candidates clear, as President
Gompers has already gone on record
against government ownership. un-
employment insurance. health insur-
ance and other similar proposed legis-
lative measures.
Telegram Made Public.
The Lewis boomers made public q
telegram sent by John Lassler, presi-
dent. and William Mitch, secretary of
the Indiana district, United Mine
Workers. to Frank Harrington, presi-
dent Of the Illinois district; Robert
Harlan. president of the Washington
district, and Alexander Howat. presi-
dent of the Kansas district, urging
them to vote for the miners leader,
All three of these district mine lead
ers are delegates to the convention
and are reported opposed to Lewis.
The telegram said that the execu-
tive board Of the Indiana district had
held meeting and canvassed the sit
uatfon and 1t was convinced that the
great mass Of Indiana miners over
whelmingly favored a change in the
presidency Of the American Fedora
tion of Labor
More than 200 resolutions from To-
cal miners unions in all sections Of
the country have been received at the
Lewis campaign headquarters, it was
stated. approving the candidacy of the
miners chief and urging his support.
The railroad organizations up to to-
day had failed to declare which can
didate they would support. If they
reach agreement, labor leaders said,
their vote probably would decide the
election.
With the railroad and the Irish
questions disposed of. the convention
today began to dispose of a number
OF minor matters and prepared the
way to take up jurisdictional disputes
and the question Of relations with
European labor movements.
Resolutions Adopted.
Among the more than a score of
resolutions adopted yesterday were
included declarations:
Urging passage of the Nolan bill to
make the minimum wage for govern
ment employees 50.
Supporting the executive councils
report on adverse court decisions and
urging enactment of a national anti
injunction law.
Supporting efforts Of seamen to get
workmen's compensation and accident
insurance.
Supporting the United Mine Work.
ers in their court cases growing out
Of the coal strike.
Opposing the Calder coal bill in the
United States Senate.
Approving the Massachusetts, law
relating to formation of cooperative
banks and credit unions.
Requesting large appropriations for
the federal employment bureau.
Approving the executive. councils
union" and urging international
unions with members in Canada to af-
filiate with the Canadian Trades and
Labor Congress.
Approving a court of adjustments
for civil service employees to- settle
disputes.
referring to the e7executive council
for investi cation and action on a pro-
posal to ask for reduction of railroad
executives salaries.
GoMPERs REPLIES TO CRITICS