Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-06-15
Labor Federation
to Work for Congress
Veto Court Decision

Cincinnati, June 14-(By A. Pr
Organized labor indicated a determi-
nation at the American Federation of
Labor convention here today that 1t
would start a drive for a constitu-
ional amendment for a congressional
veto of supreme court decisions, and
for the denial of the power of lower
federal courts to set aside a federal
law as unconstitutional. This. the
delegates were informed would over
come decisions, which labor has re-
garded as inimical to its interests.
The only formal action, however.
was unanimous adoption of motion
creating q special committee to
frame policy, which action was TAX
en- after the proposal for the amend
ment had been made by Senator La
Toilette OF Wisconsin. Other speak
ers, most of them leaders in the labor
movement, approved the program as
practical. which the delegates voiced
approval with applause.
The suggestion of a drive for the
amendment came in the midst of
program devoted to condemnation of
child labor. The address of Senator
I-aFollette centered attacks on the
supreme court, which for a second
time recently declared the federal
child labor law unconstitutional. In
authorizing appointment of the spc-
cial committee the delegates voted
to vest in its authority to consider
all decision of the last few years
which the federatiorb granted as
inimical TO organized labor.
A dissenting note to n program
aiming generalll' at curtailmcnt of
the courts was heard during the day
long program when Florence Kelley
of the National Consumers League
voiced approval Of the senator's pro
posal but asserted that the best
strategy was TO make a drive exclu-
siyely for an amendment to make
possible federal ban on child labor
However. she declared her enlistment
"as a high private in the army that
will follow his NaFollettc's) ban
ner."
Senator IaFollctte in his speech
contended that the federal courts
had by a process of gradual en-
croachmentS "wrested sovereignty
from the people and he cited the
child labor tax law decision as "typ-
ical Of the conduct of the federal ju-
dietary" Kisses greeted the sena-
tors first mention OF chief justice
Taft but these quickly changed to
applause as LaFOllette declared that
Taft was repudated by the voters
when a second term candidate for
the president.
"No one will contend" said the
senator, that he could have been
elected chief justice by the vote of
the people"
Laughter greeted this remark as
also the senator's statement that
chief justice of a British court was
| hanged for attempting to set aside an
act OF parliament. and once in the
midst Of TRADE on court actions
! delegate called out alta Boy Bob"
! Five members OF the supreme court.
! I.aFollctte said ''enact what shall be
the law and headed. eve are ruled
! by a judicial obIigarchy
7. Y. Mccullough of the Interna-
| tional Typographical Union. indors-
| ed tie LaFollette amendment as
| practicable. asserting that "a great
days work for the race the world
around" had been accomplished hy
the conventions consideration Of the
| child labor problem
| Combined with its child labor pro-
gram the convention observed Flag
\ Day paying rising tribute to the
| flag when one was presented to Mr.
| Gomners by the Central Labor Union
| Of this city