The New York herald., 1922-06-13
union LABOR FACES
LIFEORDEATHF|GHT
NANNUAL MEETING
we Do Not Fool Ourselves
Into Fancied Security
Gompers Says.
HARDING Is CRITICISED
Report Declares He Has
Aided Unfair Industrial
Program.
CHILD LABOR AN ISSUE
Leaders Declare Injunction
Writs Have Been Abused
by the Courts.
CHILD LABOR AN ISSUE

CINCINNATI. June IL (Associated
Press Facing a fight that leaders
of organized labor regard as one for
the existence of unions, the American
Federation of Labor here to-day
opened its forty-second annual con-
vention. which was marked by the
presentation of many issues to be con-
sidered in the next two weeks and a
speech by President Samuel Gompers
declaring I'VE do not fool ourselves
into any fancied security"
I'VE are not in a mood" said Mr..
Gompers, ito have those rights and
privileges guaranteed to us by our
constitution taken from us by any
subtle reasoning or assumption OF
power, no matter whence it emanates II
This declaration was greeted with
applause, as was also his statement
that organized labor would "go on
ward and forward more determined
than ever that there shall not be i'm
posed upon our brow, upon our backs,
the type of the man with the hoe"
Gompers Tells IssueE.
The speech by Mr.. Gompers came after
a program Of welcoming addresses by
Donnelly of the Ohio Federation OF
Labor and others. The big armory OF
the Ohio National Guard. which is the
site Of the convention, was filled by dele
gates and spectators. while above their
heads were hung 1000 American flags.
In his brief speech Mr.. Gompers de-
clared that organized labor asked EN-.
ployers to meet with union leaders in
conference for the settlement of dis
putes. He said genuine conference
was impossible unless both sides stand
on an equal footing.
The open shop" he added, is not the
result of conferences. and he closed with
a reference to the disarmament confer
ence, asserting it made a beginning
toward abolishing war and that labor
throughout the world made the great
est contribution toward that purpose"
The convention session also was
marked by presentation of a report by
Santiago Iglesias, president of the Free
Federation of Workers Of Porto Rico,
indorsing the administration OF Z. Mont
Reilly as Governor of Porto Rico. Igle-
sias declared Gov. Reilly had dealt fairly
with organized labor in Porto Rico.
Loss I'm Membership.
While the executive councils report
4.
will come before the convention II also
showed that the total membership Of the
federation is 3.195.635. Although this
is loss of 710,S93 in the last year
members of the committee pointed out
that 1t was a gain OF more than 1,100,-
600 over 1916, which year was followed
by big gains during the war. Further
the report told of labor's accomplish
ments Of the last year. which 1t said
was marked by unusual strife and I'M
usual industrial depression"
In addition to structures on the con-
duct of employers in numerous cases the
report added explicit and pointed criti
cism of Congress and OF some
State legislative bodies. declaring such
branches of the Government to be sue
cumbing to a wave of reaction" Fault
was found with the action OF some
courts, including the Supreme Court. and
with what was described as President
Harding's proposal to regulate trade
unions"
"It is with no little satisfaction in
view of these circumstances" the report
on the other hand declared. that we are
to lay before this convention n report
of achievement, n report OF solidarity, a
report of constructive planning and a
- it,a a al
tray the militant spirit with which our
movement has come through the years.
Foes Are Attacked.
"The audacity OF those who have made
Il their business to attack In every pos
sible manner the organizations OF the
workers has had no parallel In our
country. What our movement has been
compelled TO meet has been condition
in which the predatory powers have
sought to break down all resistance in
every quarter and TO enrich themselves
at the expense OF the whole people. No
experience has testified as eloquently TO
the fundamental soundness OF our
organizations and to the manner in
which they serve the workers We shall
fight with a greater confidence because
Of the record that has been made"
The report declared that IN the direct
labor field workers In a number Of In
dustries have been compelled TO resort
TO cessation of work" because OR
ganized employers" we're unwilling to
meet workers in conference for negotia-
ton" The most important instance OF
this policy was declared to be the cause
OF the existing coal mine strike. although
troubles in the textile. garment. print
ing, granite and packing house industries
also were cited.
I'VE have recorded only these viola =
tions Of agreement by employers which
are OF national Importance We know
of no similar period of time In which
there have been so many wanton viola
tions Of contract on the part of great
organizations of employers. We submit
that IL Is a vital essential that there be
return of good faith in industry, a
return to standards of morality which
will restore the pledges of men to their