The Washington times., 1922-06-12
.VERDICTS
OF
DARK ACES,
HIS CLAIM
Labor in Convention at Cincin-
natl Faces Gravest Problem &.
in History. '-..''.
BY WARREN w. WHEATON,

NATI, Ohio, june 12.-Organized
labor sent broadcast today an In
vitation 20 employers throughout
the country to meet around the
table" and determine, for some
reasonable time, an agreement
covering all controversies on both
sides Of industry.
The invitation came from Samuel
Gompers, president Of the Amcri-
can Federation OF Labor, who nd:
dressed the great assemblage con-
stitutfng the personnel Of tie
forty-second annual convention.
CINCINNATI, Ohio. June H.
Facing the most difficult prob
lens of its forty-two years of ex-
istence. the American Federation
of Labor opened its annual con-
vention here today, it's leaders
militantly determined to combat
increasingly threatening inroads
on organized labor.
100 Delegates Present.
Four hundred accredited represen-
tatives Of the millions Of workers
affiliated with organized labor began
in the Ohio national guard armory
two weeks deliberations from which
emerge q solidified organization able
to cope with the asserted grim
struggle ahead"
Including in it's personnel all
shades of thought in the labor move
ment, the progressives, stand pat
ters, reactionaries, ahd radicals, the
convention cot under way with .
slight feeling Of uncertainty msnifest
among the delegates as to whether
harmony efforts Of Samuel Gompers,
labor head, will prevail
Reputation Of Gompers by the
building trades department of the
federation in its convention may lead
to come dissension creeping into con.
vention deliberations, a few delegates
freely predicted.
Delegates paraded from federation
headquarters to the convention hall,
where they were welcomed by local
municipal and labor officials.
Gompers Presides.
President Gompers took over the
duties of presiding officer, after
Thomas J. Donnelly, secretary of the
Ohio State Federation of Labor, had
presented him with a gavel made by
the carpenters of Cincinnati.
Gompers declared the convention
to be the parliament of labor en-.
gagged in the work Of fighting the
battles of mankind"
The issues that have been heeped
upon us in no way depress our
Spirits" he said. "Our movement 10
united, its spirit Is unconquerable.
There is throughout our ranks MILL
tant determination that Justice tor all
the people must triumph.
I'VE arc shocked by things that
have happened. Twice within few
days the Supreme Court Of our land
has rendered decisions fitting only
10 the dark days Of old. There Il .
boistefous and braxen movement at
work to destroy every progressive In.
stitutton and TO submerge human
rights for the sake Of profltccrs and
Industrial autocrats."
To Recess Today.
The convention session will recess
early today. Working committees
will be appointed this afternoon and
the real work OF the meeting is ex-
pected to begin tomorrow.
Never before has the American
labor movement entered q convention
suffering from 10 many buffets Of
fate aud the courts. Upon 'he &C.
tions and decisions made at this con-
vention rest the fate OF the Amerf-
can labor movement and the destiny
Of millions Of American ~orklnsmsn
and women, % % declared. AZ this
aoav~nslon IN. ~nfir~ f,sfnrs hi~s.r.,