The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-07-08

Majority and minority reports on
railroad legislation were submitted
to the American Federation of La
Dor by the committee on Executive
Councils report, the division being
seven to six. After a lengthy de-
bate the minority report was adopt
ed as the declaration of the con-
vention. The resolutions thus adopt
ed are as follows:
Whereas, Our Government was
founded as, democracy, instituted
to protect all of it's citizens in their
inherent right to equality of OPP
portunity in their industrial rela-
lions with each other, and to that
end the Fathers declared the fol-
lowing fundamental principles as
controlling every act of the govern
ment they had established:
First-Government is instituted
for the common good, for the pro-
lection, safety, prosperity and hap
piness of the people and not for
the honor or profit of any man,
family or class of men.
Second-No man, corporation, or
group of men shall have any other
the public than that which is meas
ured by the value of the services
they render to the public.
Third-"The prime purpose of
government is to give security to
life, liberty and enjoyment by the
people of the gains of their own
industry" and
| Whereas, AS government is now
administered, we as a people have
! departed from these fundamental
principles of democracy; now, there
| fore, be it
Resolved, That the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor hereby declares
its purpose to secure a return to
/ those principles upon which our
government was instituted in order
that we may better secure the bless
ings of liberty and to that end we
reaffirm our united support of leg
! islatiOn that will bring about the
public ownership and democratic
operation of the railways of the
/ United States as being in strict
conformity with those principles
upon which our government was in
| stituted; be it further
Resolved, That we declare for
the recognition and restoration of
these fundamental principles to the
end that those who contribute their
effort to the industry shall enjoy
all of the rights, privileges and i'm
munities granted to those men who
contribute capital in proportion to
! the value which each contributes
in order that the government shall
! be instituted for the common good
and not for the profit of a class
and in order that all men may en-
| JOY the gains of their own indus.
| trv; and, be it further
Resolved, That the Executive
Council of the American Federation
of Labor be and it is hereby di-
rected to assist the recognized rail-
road labor organizations by every
effort within its power to have
proper legislation enacted providing
for government ownership and dem
ocratic operation Of the railroad
systems of the United States; be
it further
Resolved, That in order that this
resolution may become effective in
the industrial life Of this nation,
the Executive Council be and it is
hereby directed to devise and pub
fish the necessary legislative pro-
gram designed to make effective
the fundamental principles Of gov
eminent above set forth and TO &C.
cure to men employed in organized
industry that equality Of enjoyment
OF all the rights, privileges, and
/ immunities now enioyed by those
who contribute capital to Organized
industrial enterprises, 10 the end
that industry conducted under cor
porate grants shall be conducted
for the common good and not for
the profit Of class u men"
Seamon'g RasoIut..