East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1922-06-10
LABOR HAS GREAT HOPE
Continued from Page u

tC0nLlnueu ITOIu EHB6 lsJ
The report Of the executive council
to be laid before the convention Mon
day will contain much material of a
most important character dealing
with domestic. industrial and politi-
cal affairs and with international re-
lations.
In the convention year ago a
number of special committees were
appointed for the purpose of making
Investigations of an extensive char
acter. Reports on these questions
will be continued in the report of
the executive council to the coming
convention.
Question of Wages.
One of the most Important of these
special committees was one appoint
ed to inquire into the question of
wage fixing. in order that perma-
nent scientific policy for wage de-
termination might be considered by
the A. p. of l.. for use in wage me-
gotiations. This investigation was
prompted by the increasing use of
the cost of living argument, which
the American Federation of Labor
has condemned as unscicntific and
therefore Objectionable.
/ President Samuel Gompers, in dis
cusing the Forthcoming convention,
expressed the view that the delibera-
tions at Cincinnati would be of uni
formly constructive character re-
sulting in strengthening of the la
Dor movement and a unification of
its forces.
II am confident" said he. that
the Cincinnati convention will mark
a distinct advance on the part of
American labor. While ] have no
means of knowing what may come
before the convention, except that
which is contained in the report of
the executive council, / am conf
dent that the thought and action of
our movement in convention will be
progressive and constructive.
1--WE have gone through year of
great difficulty. There has been a
severe industrial depression which
has had its effect upon all of our
people but which has particularly eff
fected the working people because
they are always first to feel any fluc-
tuation lin the course OF our indus
trial affairs.
Five Million Idle.
ut has been reliably. and I may
say authoritatively. estimated that
the number of unemployed has been
as high as five million and this un-
employment continued over a period
OF months. Those who may have ex-
pected. however, that this industrial
depression, severe as It was. would
result in weakening Of the organ
lied labor movement have miscaicu-
lated. The report may show that
there. was a slight decrease in the
total membership. but this decrease
is less than might have been ex-
pected. in view OF the terrific am
cunt Of unemployment when Il was
impossible for workers 20 pay even
the small sums which are necessary
as union dues On the contrary. our
movement has not ouIy not been
weakened. but it is even stronger to-
day than ever.
Opposition has resulted in unity
ing the forces OF the workers: IL has
created tn them a mere militant spir-
IL and has given them a greater de-
Termination. The movement for the
so-caiisd 'oDen-shop' in its various
disguises. the propaganda for. that
movement which has been vicious
and vigorous IN the extreme. has
brought to all Of the workers a
greater realization Of the paramount
necessity Tor solidarity and unity OF
thought and action
d - - nI.r ne fnoIe H.