Arizona republican., 1922-06-21
GOVERN MENT
OWNERSHIP
No I ISSUE
| n ST R|kE
Spokesman For The Rail
Unions Tell Labor Con-
vention Not To Middle
Walkout Issues

vention Not To Muddle
Walkout Issues
CINCINNATI, June 20-Govern-
ment ownership and operation of the
railroads will not be an issue in the
threatened strike of 100000 shop
workers and others, spokesmen for
the rail unions today told the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor convention
which responded to their request by
Withholding a reaffirmation of the
federation's stand in favor of the en-
actment of such a policy. The rail
unions have not abandoned the pro-
gram of public ownership or grown
luke warm or Indifferent" declared
William d. Johnston, president of the
machinist union. in explaining the re-
quest.
1--WE ask no declaration, however,
because we have a most unfriendly
and unsympathetic administration at
this time. Our enemies would say of
the strike occurs In the very near
future that the fight was for govern
ment ownership. l believe the strike
is inevitable for there is no other way
out, and we want the issue clear cut.
The Issue is the amelioration of the
wrongs committed by the railroad
labor board"
Hayes Withdraws Motion
Similar pleases by others, who are
the prospective leaders in the threat
ened walkout, led Max Hayes. of
Cleveland to withdraw his motion for
a redeclaration of the government
ownership policy. The discussion was
injected into the conventions work
when it for a second time during the
day went on record as favoring repeal
of the transportation act, in which
connection it denounced the railroad
labor board for its orders, especially
those reducing wages and changing
working conditions.
Consideration of the strike threat
in connection with the resolution OF
repeal of the transportation act pro-
voked the only long discussion of the
days sessions.
Early in the day., the convention
was marked by an oral clash between
President John i. Lewis, of the
United Mine Workers. and Joseph
Lynal Peoria Trades and Labor
Council when the latter sought TO
force consideration of resolution
congratulating Alexander Howat and
August Dorchy, leaders of Kansas
miners, for their stand against the
Kansas industrial court. The trouble
ended with the convention refusing
TO act on the resolution. and it was
referred to the miners union for con-
sideration.
Lewis May Oppose Gompers
In addition to it's big program or
work, the convention was marked by
the beginning of a movement to run
Mr.. Lewis as a candidate for presi-
dent of the federation in opposition to
Samuel Gompers. Although Mr..
Lewis declared he was in mo sense"
a candidate, efforts were pushed IN
his behalf during the day.
During the discussion of repeal OF
the transportation act, Joseph A.
Franklin. president of the Black
smiths union described the railroad
workers as the only labor group that
is tied to its iob.' He declared that
President Harding had told b. Nj.
Jewell. president of the railway en-
ployes department of the Federation
that national agreements had to go
and he reviewed various decisions OIL
the labor board, which he said an
nulled these agreements between
workers and the railroads.
Concluding, Franklin sad the
unions had given the TRANSPORTATION
act a fair triaP' and that with new
10 hannn1R
July |. "the men are gong 10 say
for once that we are not gong 10
accent the boards decision
Mr.. Franklin's speech brought MI
Hays tn his feet with the motion Tor
the declaration favoring government
ownership, which prompted MI.
Gompers, who was presiding, TO m
form the, convention that such
declaration had been withheld from
the convention at the request OF the
rail union chiefs.
Would Observe Abe's Birthday
The convention disposed of numef-
GUS resolutions. Observance or LIN
coins birthday as a hollday lhrousn-
out the world was favored by the
1t also voted Its ap-
proval of the governments accept
ance of Henry Ford's offer to lease
the muscle o1OeliS NoeSA -,
iect declared in favor OF a SATURDAY
half holiday for all government
workers; and asked Governor ste
phens OF California to grant uncon,
ditional pardons to Tom Mooney ana
Warren X. Billings. The sentences
imposed on Mooney and Blillnss loI
their alleged participation IN pomo
explosions few years ago, were de-
clared by the resolution to nave re-
suited from perjured testimony.
Resolutions aimed at the ku kluA
Klan, the state militia and constapu-
larry, and private detective agencies,
whose operatives were said 70 acI
as strikebreakers, were aoopteu
unanimously without discussion.
In taking action on the Ku klux
KIan, the convention side stepped a
resolution terming the organization
detrimental to the best interests or
the working people" and adopted IN
its stead a committee report that dld
not specifically mention the Khan.
The committee report said the red
Grafton should not assume 10 en-
dorse or condemn any organization
unless its purpose was TO interfere
with the rights of wage earners.