New-York tribune., 1922-06-09
John Donlin. President Of
Building Trades, Urges
Creation Of a National
Body to Limit Walkouts
Railroad Men Will
Appeal to Harding
White House To BE Asked
TO Fix Living Wage;
One Big Union Quashed
By Gilman Parker

CINCINNATI, June h.-bathcrinCs OF
the representatives Of three leading
industrial groups OF the American
Federation Of Labor here preliminary
70 thc opening % the federation's
forty-secord annual convention on
Monday discussed or completed action
late to-day regarded as vital 10 their
welfare and possessing an important
hearing as 20 the future OF organized
labor generally. 4 summary Of the
developments Of the day in the three
sub-convcn'ions Is as follows:
l. John Donlin. president Of the fed
era.ion's building trades department,
presented an annual report 60 that
organizations meeting IN which he de-
clarcd for the creation n a central
national body of The building trades
unions. which would take from the 10.
Gals the power of calling strikes in the
industry. Formation 81 such body
con which would rest all responsible
strikes" was advocated by Mr. Donlin.
on tho contention that "thc whole na-
,ion Is tired with strikes and loekouts
and dircustcd with such institutions
as make them possible
Appeal 10 Harding Framed
.. The The Fedcration's railway cm-
nloyecs department representatives. and
those of tho hrothcrhoois Of railway
workers. with which the department Is
acting le tho result OF the $4,000, 900
i -. a. L. 49, Ias
by tho United States Railroad Labor
BOARD. A. meeting held late IN the
day began tho formulation Of n letter
70 President Harding protesting the
Labor Boards awards and asking that
he act in the situation. Although this
action was taken as strike ballots were
being nlaccd in tho mails for the i.2oo,-
000 railroad workers affected, 10 never
theless constituted ono fore indiea-
tion that the rail union leaders are
desirous ~ exhausting all other ways
and means IN the matter before seri-
ously considering the proposal OF un-
dertaking n transportation walk-out.
g. An effort 90 bring about n de-
cisive discussion Of a proposal 10 re.
organize tho workers in the metal
trades along the lines Of the "One Big
Union idea. sponsored by radical dele
gates. met with prompt failure in the
sub-convcntiou sessions Of the Fedora
tion's metal trades department.
In a number of respects Nr. Donlin's
annual report was one Of the mos. In
teresting document ever nut forth by
an American labor leader. and his read
inc Of IL caused n sensation among the
Delegates. Mr. Donlin heurative!y
picked up tho entire building industry
nv the neck, shook IL hard before a
mirror rejecting iis myriad sins. and
then told tho representatives of work
ers wha, they must do rs their share
i'm restoring IL "to the confidence and
respect Of the public. which It has
lost.
Comedies With Tribune Ideas
Mr.. Doulin did not mention either
New York or Chicago by name, but
there was no doubt that he had both
prominently in his mind. In their
most important aspects, his observa-
tions coincidcd with suggestions pub
lishcd recently in the columns Of The
New York Tribune. showing a more
centralized control OF all local unions
and their nets a. one Of organized la
bor's most urgent needs AZ the present
time.
"The ONLY way 70 minimize strikes
and lockouts. which are only too often
due 20 the influence Of the irrespon-
sibie or the demagogue," said Mr, Dom
lin. els 20 minimize such authority as
can order stoppages of work by pat
terninc after the United States Con-
gress. which alone IS imposed with the
authority 20 declare war"
He went on 10 urge the international
unions in tho building trades 20 take
steps 20 promote peace in the industry.
this with the suggestion that
they "fors local unions 10 eliminate
laws and rules that are wasteful, de-
void of reason and unjus.iiable.'
"For years he continued, we have
allowed the hired disturber 20 lead Us
into strikes which were preventable
and unsuitable. We must now have
management and supervision. In the
future VIC must insure against such
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