Norwich bulletin., 1921-06-25
MATTERS BEFORE
 THE A. F. OF L. CONVENTION

Denver, Colo, June 24.-The conven- ton of the American Federation of La ] bor today voted down a constitutional | amendment designed to give women l equal right and privileges of member ship in the union of their trade or in- l dustry." All affiliated unions. however. were urged not to discriminate against the woman wage earner and admit her to membership
 Efforts to wipe out the "color line" in organized labor organizations also failed. The convention took the stand that na- tional and international unions could not be compelled to recognize negro workers
 and that this was matter to be adjust
 ed by conferences between the negro wage earners and the various organiza- tionS.
 Both questions were the subjects of long and stormy debates.
 The committees report rejecting the constitutional amendment to give women l industrial equality" defended the fed- | eration's stand on women in industry | and cited efforts to get better wages and
 working conditions for them.
 | It declared that only a few uninus | were discriminating against women and | for that reason disaDproved the amend
 ment and urged that those information
 and national organizations which do not
 admit women to membership give early
 consideration for such admission" EAIal rights for women in industry was
 voiced by delegates from the cigar mak- CTS and the laundry workers union. who declared If a woman does a mans work she should receive a mans nav" W. D. Mahon, president of the AmaI-
 gamated Association of Street Railway
 Employes, declared that his organization would not allow the federation to die tate to 1t in the matter of woman's labor
 He said he was in favor of nrotectiou for : women workers but he did not believe
 that the back platform of a street cal was a place for a woman"
 The defeated constitutional amendment ) would have provided for the issuance O. 2 a separate charter byo the federatio l to woman's local without the consent O
 the union having jurisdiction over thu ,. particular trade.
 t The negro question arose on the re V port of the committee on laws. whicI : disapproved a resolution calling for th t suspension of unions that discriminate, l against negro workers. The con1mitte
 was upheld by overwhelming vote
 Replying to question from the foo
 as to whether it was possible to fore r any affiliated union to wipe out tn
 color line" President Gompers said. il The American Federation of Labo Q has previously declared that it is tn 2 duty of all workers to organize rega I'd n less of sex, nationality race. poljtica Q belief or color.
 e The federation. however. cannot fore - this view upon individual or affiliate unions without their consent
 l. Jordan " Chambers. negro deleeat n of the Railway Coach Cleaners of Si f Louis, declaFede that conferences betwee n members of his race and the unions ,ha ' beed ordered at previous conventions br .s never had been held. and urged drasti if action to compel recognition of the neer T workers.
 d Union labor organizations of WbeeIin, l. w. V.' were voted assistance of the fed
 eration in fighting a court ininnctio 10 served on them yesterday A te,ao,,a, ,f read to the convention said none of il d attorneys of Wheeling would consent , ,d represent the union in their court q,
 tion. '' l. The telegram said ant an ennIover l. organization had obtained an iniunctio t. restraining virtually all trades unior l. or Wheeling from holding any meeting B. eongregating on the streets. in nrbI IS meeting places or in rooming houeeS h, e. cause Of a building trades strike no h. Tn progress. The unions. members or IS ployes and officers were also enioino 'n rom Interfering with any member of fl IS empioylng organization. it's patrons
 prospective patrons, the telegram sai