The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-06-12
eBy Associated Press)

s CINCINNATI, Ohio, June 12-The
record of organized Iabor's accom-
plishment in "a year of unusual strife
and unusual industrial depression"
was laid before the forty-second an
,nual convention of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor today in the report of
the Federation's executive council
The report declared that American
labor during the year not only suf-
fered from the widespread unemploy-
ment that existed. but was beset "by
opponents more active and determined
than ever"
I'm addition to structures on the con-
duct of employers in numerous cases,
the report added explicit and pointed
criticism of congress and of some leg
islative bodies, declaring such branch
es of the government to be "succumb-
ing to wave of reaction" Fault was
found with the action of some courts,
including the supreme court, and with
what was described as President Hard
ing's proposal to regulate trade
unions"
ut is with no little satisfaction in
view of these circumstances" the re
port on the other hand declared,
that we are able TO lay before this
convention report of achievement,
a report of solidarity, a report of con-
structive planning, and a report that
only lnadequately portrays the mil
liant spirit with which our movement
has come through the years. The
audacity of those who have made it
their business to attack in every pos
sible manner the voluntary organiza-
tions of the workers has no parallel
in our country. What our movement
has been compelled to meet has been
condition in which the predatory
powers have sought to break down all
resistance in every quarter and to
enrich themselves at the expense of
the whole people. No experience has
testified as eloquently to the funda-
mental soundness of our organizations
and to the manner in which they serve
the workers. We shall fight with a
greater confidence because of the re
cord that. has been made"
Claim Indifference.
The report declared that in the di
rect labor field workers in a mum
Der of industries have been compelled
TO resort to cessation of work" be
cause organized employers" were
unwilling to meet workers in confer
ence for negotiation" The most i'm
portant instance of this policy was
declared to be the cause of the ex
listing coal mine strike, although
trouble in the textile, garment, print
ing, granite, and packing house in
dustries also were cited.
The organized mine owners repud1
ated their agreement with the United
Mine Workers of America" the report
said, compelling the mine workers
to cease work. Packing house
employers were likewise guilty Of
violation of agreements. The
contest going on among employers anC
the printing trades union involves
contemptuous disregard and flagran
violation of an agreement by employ
ers and their associations.
1--WE have recorded only these viola
lions of agreement by employers
which are of national importance.
We know of no similar period OF time
in which there have been so many
wanton violations of contract on the
part of great organizations of employ
ers. We submit that it is a vital es
sential that there be return OF goot
faith in industry, return to stand
ards of morality which will restore thu
pledges of men to their true and prop
er meaning. If it is impossible Il
have faith in pledges given, then TIL
entire industrial structure will be un
dermined."
Turning next to courts, the execu
tive council protested most emphatic
ally against such unjust and init
name decisions" as that of the ST
preme court vaiding the act intende
to abolish child labor in the Unite
States Congress by this decision
must keep its hands off when tn
health and life and we'll being of. tn
nations children are concerned tn
report asserted, adding that the ISL
preme court of today is far more Les
alistic and less humane in its attitud
and temperament than was the 81
preme court of 1918"
Claim Hostility.
The year is marked particular
with an increasing hostility Of the j,
dietary toward the effort of wage ear
ers to prevent deterioration of the.
standards of life and labor" the r
port continued, "and we recommen
ed that an appeal be made to thu
higher court of public judgment, an
that the public conscience be arouse
to the great and grave menace whiC
confronts the perpetuity of the const
tutional rights and liberties of all OF