New-York tribune., 1922-06-22
Four Amendments Pro-
posed to Constitution
Receive Ovation From
Federation's Convention
Forbid Denial of
Right TO Organize
Seek Power for Congress
10 Veto Supreme Court
by n Two.ibirds Vote
By Gilman Parker

NisfNAsftNni T. JUNG 81 HfFt'ttHE
the United States Supreme Court and
other judicial tribunals as endeayoring
20 abrogate the rights Of American
wage earEers and 20 supefsede other
branches Of the government, the
American Federation Of Labor eonven-
tion to-day began confederation OF a
report placed before IL by = special
committee named a week ngo 10 dis
cover ways and means 20 combat courts
and court decisions deemed unfair 10
organized labor.
The committee recon Tended that
Tho Federation promote the adoption OF
four amendments TO the Constitution
Of the United States. as follows:
An amendment prohibiting the
labor Of children under the age OF
sixteen years in any mine, mill, fac
tory. workshop or other industrial
or mercantile establishment and con-
ferring upon Congress the power 70
raise the minimum age below which
children shall not be permitted 10
work and 10 enforce the provisions
OF the proposed amendment by ap-
propriate legislation.
To Protect Unions Status
An amendment prohibiting the
enactment Of any law or the making
OF any judicial determination which
would deny the right 20 the workers
of the United States and its Terri
tories and dependencies TO organize
for the bet.crment Of their -ond-
tions; TO deal collectively with en-
ployers; 10 withhold collectively
their labor and patronage. and in.
duce others 10 do so. (This is 70
overrule Supreme Court decisions re-
striciing picketing and holding
unIous liable for damages caused In
strikes)
An amendment providing that IL
the United States Supreme Court de-
eides that an act OF Congress is un-
constitutional or by Interpretation
asserts a public policy at variance
with the statutory declaration OF
Congress. then II Congress by two
thirds majority repasses TIE law II
shall become the law Of the land.
In order 10 make the Constitution
Of the United States more flexible TO
meet the needs OF the people. an
amendment provides for easier
amendment Of the same.
Urges sherman Law Repeal
Supplementing the above. the com.
mittce further recommends that IN
conjunction with the campaign for the
adoption Of the suggested amend
ments Congress be urged 20 enact:
A child labor law which will over
come the objections raised By the
Supreme Court TO the laws hereto
fore passed.
A law which will make more def
mite and effective the intention OF
Congress in enacting sections 9. 10
and 20 Of the Clayton act (the labor
sections). which were manifestly
ignored or overridden By the court
A Law repeating the Sherman anti
trust law, which was intended by
Congress TO prevent illegal combina-
tions in restraint OF trade. common
lv known as trusts. but through judi
cial misinterpretation and perver-
sion "has been repeatedly and main
Is invoked TO deprive the toiling
masses Of their natural and normal
rights" =,
Your committee also recommends,'
savs the report, that TIE execi'.ye
council OF the American Federation ~
Labor be authorized and directed 10
call conferences OF persons and asso-
Citations interested in the above recon-
merdations, for the purpose Of ohtaii-
ing assistance in the preparations Of
The proposed laws and amendments, and
In the education of public opinion for
their support and adoption; that the
council be authorized 10 approve. in
behalf Of the Federation, the laws and
amendments so prepared, and TO take
such further action as may be deemed
advisable 10 promote their enactment
ReDor. Gets Warm Support
The report was greeted with an ova-
tion by the delegates. and adoption Of
il tomorrow is considered certain.
After the reading delegates delivered
heated speeches in support OF the rec
concentrations, in which Chief Justice
Taft was assailed personally and one
reference TO calling a general strike
vas made.
"The report Is g masterpiece Of eriti-
cism. but unless we use our full in
dustrial and political power, we will
get nowhere" declared Luigi Antonini,
OF the Dressmakers' Union, waving his
arms above his head. The only other
remedy would be 10 call a general
lcontlnsse On nsHt paeO