The Connecticut labor news., 1922-02-17
LABOR PLANS UNION
 OF LIBERAL FORCES: l CONFERENCE CALLED
Chiefs of Associated Railroad Unions Summon Conc1ave of
 Progressives.
Not Third Party Move
Johnston Explains Purpose of Gath ering-To Meet in Chicago
 February 20.

Washington, Feb 17.-The chief ex- ecutives of the associated railroad labor organizations have called conference of the leaders of the progressive forces of ming Monday next.
 William H. Johnston, president of the International Association of Ma cEinists is chairman of the committee which was authorized to formulate and issue the call.
 "In calling this conference" said Mir. Johnson, i've are not seeking to bring about a coalition of forces friendly to labor,' but rather an understanding be- tween all people who are genuinely in terested in the public welfare.
 We feel that the reactionary forces and special interests which are now in control of every branch of government are pursuing a policy which has already wrecked American industry and agricul- ture, causing widespread bankruptcy and nationwide unemployment, and which, ii not arrested, is destined to destroy the fundamental principles of liberty upon which this government was established. We are inviting to this conference representative men and women from all groups in American life"
 The invitations to the conference read as follows:
 We are inviting you to attend con- ference of Progressives to be held in Corinthan Hall, Masonic Temple, Chi cago, Ill.,, February 20, 1922.
 We are living in a land blessed with inexhaustible resources, with a produc- tive capacity far in advance of our needs We are a people of unexampled skill and industry, fully capable of de- veloping to the utmost our vast natural resources. In the midst of this profu- sion of wealth we find the farmer un- able to proftably market his crops, fac tories idle, with millions demanding their products, and the men and women who long to labor denied that inherent right. We have idle wealth tied up in un- used plants, idle men denied the right to labor unless they will accept less in who work the land unable to exchange their products for the lost labor of idle men in other industries.
 "All of the inherent rights of men guaranteed by our Constitution are be- ing rapidly destroyed by the agents of privilege. In legislative halls they pass laws to oppress In the courts, by false construction, they assail those human liberties which the fathers sought to safeguard when they founded the Re- public.
 These evils are the results of social and political maladjustments. There must be some fundamental economic principles that can be invoked to re- store the opportunities of this Nation to the people of the Nation.
 haa,, m co,,,r,oo-, under standing to bind the workers of all walks of life together. For lack of this com mon understanding we have been divided and betrayed. To the end that there may be beginning of that wisdom which comes only through understanding the fifteen standard railroad labor organiz- ations, through the undersigned-thei duly authorized conn1nittee-invite you to attend conference to be held III Chicago, H., February 20, 1922, at 10 a. m, Cor inthian Hall Masonic Temple, to which conference representatives of the pro- gressive elements in the industrial and political life of our Nation have been invited to discuss and adopt a funda- mental economic program designed to restore to the people the sovereignty that is rightly theirs, to make effective the purpose for which our Government is established, to secure to all men the enjoyment of the gains which their in dustry produces.
 This Is not an attempt to form a new political party. It is an effort to make use of those constructive forces already in existence and by cooperation bring about political unity.
 VIM. H. JOHNSTON, President International Association of Machinists, Chairman of Committee
 MARTIN F. RYAN, General President Brotherhood Railway Carmen of America.
 w. S. STONE, Grand Chief Brotherhood Locomotive Engineers.
 E. J. MANION, President Order of Railroad Telegraph CTS.
 TIMOTHY HEALY, President International Brotherhood of Stationary Bremen and Oilers.
 L. E. SHEPPARD, President Order of Railway Conductors.