Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-06-17
ONE BIC UNION
IDEA REJECTED
IN DENVER BY
A. F. Of |. MEET
Convention Votes Not to
Concur in a Resolution
Calling For Merger of
Various Organizations,
DUTY OF THE CHURCH
TO LABOR DISCUSSED
Reports That John Lewis
viii Oppose Sam, Comp
; erS For Presidency Can
not Be Confirmed.
(By Tho Associated Press.)


Denver, Colo, June 16.-The
American Federation of Labor to-
day unanimously repudiated the
zone big union" idea.
Without discussion the forty
first annual convention of the fed
GRAFTON sustained the action of its
committee on organization in nom
concurring on a resolution calling
for zone body of workers through
amalgamation, federations and
protective agreements"
The declaration presented by ].
L. Pauley Of the West Virginia
State Federation of Labor, also
urged all national and interna-
tional unions to insert clauses in
their working agreements whereby
they can render such assistance
as is needed by any and all crafts,
when called upon to do So" 1t
asked that all unions arrange the
dates of their contracts so that they
would expire at the same time.
Convention in Confusion.
The convention was thrown into
confusion when several delegates
by objections denied the negro del
egation permission to introduce a
resolution condemning the "mob
violence" of the "Ku KluX Klan or
white caps" of the south.
President Samuel Gompers had
great difficulty in restoring order,
as nearly a score of delegates
Jumped from their seats and de-
manded the name of the delegates
who had objected. He declined TO
give the name of the delegates. AS
the confusion increased President
William Hutcheson of the United
brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners, arose and said:
"If you want to know who the
objector is--it is l."
Several delegates called his name
aloud as the convention proceeded
to further business.
Object to Ku Klux Alan.
The resolution also urged that
steps be taken to have the govern
ment abolish this unlawful organ
ization known as the Ku KluS
Klan or white caps" and that the
federation use "its best endeavoi
to protect organized labor as rep
resented by the colored workers.
One of the greatest ovations ever
given q speaker in federation con-
vention was given to Rev. G. S.
Lakeland of tho Grace Methodist
Episcopal church of Denver, VINO
discussed the "duty of the church
to labor" He was cheered repeat
edly by the delegates as he con-
demned the enemies of organized
labor. r.s -
YOUR statement that we must can
didly confess that We fail to un-
derstand how it is possible for you,
as democrats, to set yourself IN
opposition to the struggle against
reaction This is a statement that
might we'll como from the pluto
cratic. selfish interests allied
against the workers, but that can
be considered as no less insulting
when coming from the officers or
an organization presumably rep
resenting trade unions, addressed
to a bona fide organization OF
trade unionists.
"your manifesto was not misun-
derstood, Its full implication was
thoroughly comprehended ana II
was precisely because such was
the case that our opposition TO II
was so firmly stated"
President Gompers' letter stated
that the autonomous rights or the
American Federation must be
safeguarded and hat it would not
submit to be dictated to, or in
structed to carry out policies that
were Objectionable, especially those
of revolutionary principle"
The internationars proclamation
in opposition to war, it was stated,
was made "at time when 1t could
have been of service only to auto
cratic powers"
"The workers of the United
States decline Mr.. Gompers said,
ito obey proclamations of that
character and particularly so when
they have had no voice in deter
mining the ISSUE"
The whole matter of affiliation
with the European trade union
movement will be decided on the
floor of the convention of the fed
Grafton now in session, as the In
ternational Association of Machin-
lists and the Firemen and oilers
union have submitted resolutions
demanding that President Gompers
and the council be instructed to
Immediately reaffiliate the fedora
tion with the international.
"The dense ignorance of he
other side will win the fight Tor
labor" he declared, outlining al
, legged attempts by business
men and others to suppress the
church investigation of the tram
way strike in Denver last summer
1.-THE pulpits of America have
been pleading for the women and
Continued on Page Two.)