The Connecticut labor news., 1922-03-17
LABOR UNIONS ARE GREATEST ASSET,
 O'CONNOR HOLDS
Organization Is Only Instrument Through Which Workers
 Get Justice.

areatest 0ts1'ae asset" declared Congress man James O'Connor of New Or leans, in the course of d remarkable speech in the House of Representa- tives on the industrial situation.
 "E am for the Federation of Labor as an America who wishes to sec his country remain the land of the free and the home of the brave-nOt an imperial autocracy with few thous- and financial, industrial, and com mercial nabobs in control ot the destiny of the nation. The American Federation IS the great lnstrumental- ity by which American men and women have been able to secure even an approach to their share of the wealth they help to create"
 Discussing unemployment, MT O'Connor said:
 Ponder over this startling and mournful statement: The former na- tional commander of the American Legion states that ooo,ooo men who were willing to go through hell to serve their country only few years ago are without employment today, and that means, perhaps, without bread in the near future-and millions of their fellow workers walk the streets in our big cities, agonized and helpless, in the face of the most fear ful calamity that has ever betallen our agricultural and business inter ests.
 What tragic commentary on civilization that can boast ot the wonders that have been accomplish ed in the fields of art, architecture, engineering, and science
 MT. O'Connor called attention to the fact that the repeal of the tax on excess profits would save hundreds ot millions of dollars to those corpora tions which have prohteered during and since the war. These producers, he said. were conducting nation wide attack on organized labor, Tn order to divert public attention from their own misdeeds.
 In order to bolster up their cry for A reduction in the pay of wage work CTS, and in order to head off and con fuse the public" said he, these artful dodgers shouted stop thief'-stop union labor Backed by a bowling propaganda this ruSe has been in a measure successful But their triumph IS only momentary.
 Soon or late the American people will determine that it IS watered stock which Is the thief, and not union la bor; that the open shop cry is bunk and gulf to throw the inquisitors of the track, and to beat down organ ized labor first, and all other labor subsequently, so that the wage earn CTS of America shall be the, servants and the hirelings of the rich and opulent." Blanton of Texas attempted to in terrupt O'Connor, but the latter dis posed of him in manner that won the applause of the House.
 Blanton had eulogized the Steel Trust while insisting that he was the poorest man in the House" In re- 1 ply O'Connor said:
 T can understand that the fellow l who never knew anything of the sui fering and trials of the masses of this l country should superciliously and ar rogantly believe he possesses every l virtue that those who are born less fortunately financially do not possess. | can understand the fellow who lays l the, fattering unction to his soul that | he is to the manner born and obli- | gated to defend and protect predatory l wealth. 1 can understand and pity l him. l can understand the attitude | assumed here on the floor at times l by upstarts who would pose as the | champions of big interests. But it is ncomprehensible to me that man l and attained high position and then l forget and scorn the rungs of the lad | der by which he made his ascent"