Evening star., 1921-02-25
LABOR CHIEFS TELL
OF CABINET IDEAL
Ask Harding to Appoint Man
Who Is "Recognized Rep
resentative" of Unions.

"A recognized representative OF or
ganized labor and "a real spokesman
OF the working people of the coun-
Try was advocated as organized
taoors IDEAL for the labor portfolio in
the Presidents cabinet in a TELEGRAM
dispatched to President-elect Hartiinr
yesterday. which was signed by Presi.
uent Gompers, members of the execu-
i've council and representatives of
the national and international unions
a. th tne emergency conference
at tne American Federation Of Labor
building.
Reports that James J. Davis of
flttsburgh had been selected as
LABOR Secretary by Mr.. Harding were
not reIerred to in the message.
,.t me trend OF sentiment in. high
taDor circles. although opposition is
Ieit IN some areas, is toward James
duncan OF Quincy. Mass, vice presi-
gent or the American Federation of
LABOR. and member of the executive
council; His record as a conservative,
ms. ms widespread national and interna-
tionai TABOR experience, having been a
oeIegate to Russia with the Root in
vestigating party. are cited by his
Iriends as giving him slight ad-
vantage over other men suggested bv
labor chiefs.
Not Opposed to Davis.
All of the representatives Of the
national and international unions at.
Seg Ssenoing the conference did not in
OF the United Mine Workers, the
Amaigamated Association of Iron,
steel and Tin Workers and the Sea-
mems Union, It was learned, today.
spoke in opposition to the message.
the names OF the representatives Of
Union did not appear on the list of sign
ers OF the telegram
Michael Tfghe Of Pittsburgh, presi-
dent of the Ama1gamated, asked that
the telegram be worded SO as to not
oe mistaken as being opposed to the
was expressed 10 the wording of the
message by Andrew Furuseth, presi-
dent OF the Seamen's Union, on the
ground that 1t might be accepted as
an indorsernent of q certain labor
leader regarded by him as hostile to
the lnterests OF his organization.
No Names In Message.
In view Of the fact that you have
under consideration for appointment
as Secretary of Labor several can
didates." said the message, land be-
cause labor is deeply interested in
who the Individual will be at the
head OF the department, we, the rep
resentatives of the national and in
ternational unions affiliated with the
American Federation Of Labor and
the representatives Of the railroad
brotherhoods, respectfully ask you to
appoint as a member of the cabinet
to be Secretary of Labor a member Of
organized labor, who is recognized as
a real spokesman of the working peo-
PIE OF our country and who under
stands the toilers; one who has lived.
worked and counseled with them.
We have no desire to name any
special person for this Office, but we
respectfully request as citizens Of our
country that the man to be appointed
to represent US in your cabinet shall
be recognized representative of or
ganized labor"
The resolution authorizing the tele-
gram was adopted by the labor lead
ers after a lengthy conference, at
which the cabinet situation and the
incoming republican administration
were discussed. While approval of Mr..
Duncan's appointment to the cabinet
as Secretary OF Labor was voiced by
the speakers, it was learned that it
was considered fnadvisable to suggest
any name to the President elect.