The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-09-26
REBEL GROUP
is CONDEMNED
Labor Chief Warns Against
zone Big Union" Plan
ny uAROLD II. sWIsnER

By HAROLD L.. SWISliEt
United Press Staff corrrpondenu
PORTLAND. Orc. Sept. "a
Despite the fact that wages are
higher and working conditions are
improved. membership In the metal
trades department OF the American
Federation OF Labor has decreased.
largely due 10 the radical element
within tho organization, President
James O,conneil. OF Washington. ID.
C.. told delegates here today,
Tho department convened this
afternoon In special session. pre-.
eoding the opening OF tho main
federation convention horo Monday,
o'Connell'n annual report flnyed
tho radical group In tho labor
and warned against tho
zone big union" idea,
II am convinced" he said. that
the so-ealled radical has done more
injury 10 the cause OF labor than
all OF the antiunion employers put
together. and when radicals attempt
10 put radicallam In tho trade union
they become vicious and dsHtruc.
tive force"
Tho president predicted that last
yoarH railway shopmen's strike. In,
volying the metal trades depart.
mcnt. Will. in tho end. result IN
a victory for tho unions
URGES CAMPAIGN TO
FIGHT OPEN SHOP
The railroad labor board. the
law creating Il. those representing
tho department OF Justice. tho
Judges who issued tho injunction.
with manager OF tho railroads. =" said
O'Connell. will all have died or
disappeared. but the shopmcn's or.
ganizatlon and the railway employees
department win continue in exist.
enec and TO function az Of old"
o'connell urged determined "
forts to crush company organize.
tons wherever In existence. and
blast efforts 90 spread the idea OF
the opsn shop.
Contrasting the war and navy de-
parimsnts. he declared tho latter n
the role government agency which
can DO truly said 70 be s-aiing
with employment conditions in a
way that has given general salts.
faction and thru which reasonably
fair conditions OF employment arc
secured"
The war department. on tiso either
hand. Is tn exactly the contrary 20.
alton. he said.
Living costs, o'connen continued.
are increasing Despite promises
made at tho is2. convention IN Gin.
elnnai TINT pricsH would ba re.
ducrd. tho dollar ia purchasing less
today than at that time" he de.
ciared
FANnItS LAWS TO
PROTECT WORKERS
lie asked resolutions placing tho
convention on record fnvoring laws
which will protect the working
people OF this country from the raw.
iahing appctites Of the employing
classes. prciudiccd judges. unsympa.
thctIc members OF congress and 9th.
or bodies whose act arc in the direc.
ton OF penaiixing the working
claaHcs or breaking down tho stand.
ards OF living they have built up"
Touching on working conditions
in Canada. o'conncll said that
unionism n gradually expanding
there. but IL hlndered by three han.
dicapa.
j. Opposition 10 any labor move.
mcnt with headquarters outside of
Canada,
2. Extreme radical movement in
certain sections that has had con.
trary influence.
2. The movement headed by the
church authorities. particularly in
Quebec. organizing workrnen into
associations under the domination Of
the church"
Following o'conncll's report. SEQ.
rotary A. J. Berries submitted a re.
view OF the years activities in hIa
office. dwelling on his work as n
member OF the navy department
wnge board OF review.
a cash balance OF t2s.4s6 IL on
hand In the metal trades depart.
ment treasury Berres' report dis.
closed.