The New York herald., 1922-06-12
GOMPERS FIGHTING
TO UPHOLD MASSES
Labor Session a Parliament
Waging Battles Of Man.
kind, He Declares.
HUMAN RIGHTS AT ISSUE
Movement Is at Work for
Sake of Profitcer and In
dustrial Autocrat.'

CINCINNATI, June IL (Associated
Press) by many Issues
social, econom.c and political-the Amer
lean Federation of Labor was ready to-
night for the opening of its forty-second
annual convention here tomorrow. For
n week the labor chiefs and convention
delegates have been gathering here, COM
ing for the department meetings that
ended yesterday. The delegates await
ing the opening OF the convention, which
IS expected to continue two weeks. were
estimated to number 500.
In a statement describing the conven-
ton as "the Parliament of labor
Samuel Gompers. president OF the fed-
Grafton. declared the issues to be met
had been heaped on organized labor by
Its enemies
our consideration of industry and of
Industrial problems he declared, will
he from the point Of view OF service TO
the masses. Our consideration Of politi-
cal problems will be from the point OF
view of freedom and progress for hui
manity."
Many Issues Presented.
As forerunner to the convention the
executive council of the federation met
to-day and decided to draft supple
ment to its report which will be pre-
sented at to-morrow's session. The sup
p!einent, containing organized labor's In
depreciation of the Supreme Courts re-
cent decision In the Coronado coal case'
may not be presented until Tuesday or
later, but members of the council saiu
the decision was viewed as uestruc-
tive bow to labor unions
The opposition to organized labor, un-
employment, wage reductions, recogni
ton of Soviet Russia, child labor, the
one big union and the coming fall elec-
tions are among the issues pressing for
consideration. Only two jurisdctional
troubles seemed likely to come before
the convention, one being the dispute
between the teamsters and the iron
workers as to who shall haul structural
iron. The other centered about the
maintenance of way rail workers. who
were suspended from the federation for
refusal to abide by a decision giving GER
tain work to members of the carpenters
union.
Although the delegates began arriving
last week, no avowed opposition TO the
reelection of Mr.. Gompers as president
or OLneT ncUlDcTS VI tuC CACSutiNC SOuAi-
Gil. has developed, and their supporters
were predicting their reelection without
opposition.
New Yorker for Delegate.
The prospective contest in the election
was for the two delegates to be sent by
the federation to the British trades
union congress. Benjamin Schlesinger
Of New York. Edward McGivern of Bos-
ton and Thomas F. Gainor of Washing
ton were listed by delegates as the prob
able contestants.
Mr.. Gompers's statement, outlining
what Is ahead of the convention. said:
Those who oppose and antagonize
Cur movement have heaped issue upon
issue When the American Federation
Of Labor Convention opens Monday
morning. il will be as the parliament
Of labor engaged in the work of fighting
the battles of mankind. The issues that
have been heaped upon us in no way
cepress our spirit.
"Our movement Is united. Its spirit
Is uncomfortable. There is throughout
cur ranks a militant determination that
justice for all the people must triumph.
I'VE are shocked by things that have
happened twice within few days. The
Supreme Court of our land has rendered
decisions fitting only TO the dark days
OF OlQ. ueTe Is Il DOlSttTOuS anu DTdZeIl
movement at work to destroy every
progressive institution and to submerge
human rights for the sake Of profiteers
and Industrial autocrats.
Grim Struggle Ahead.
I'VE realize there is grim struggle
ahead but we face the struggle with
confidence in the ultimate victory of
justice, confidence in the final triumphs
of humanity. We shall continue the
crusade. We face the future with hope
full hearts. Our thoughts and our ef-
forts in every session of our convention
will center on the promotion of the
welfare of men and women and chill
dren-the development of a civilization
that thinks first of humanity.
Our consideration of industry and Of
Industrial problems will be from the
point of view of service to the masses