The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-11-25
TRADE AGREEMENT
WITH REDS OPPOSED
Convention Unanimously
Reaffirms Opposition
To Relations
TO NAME OFFICERS
AT TODAY'S SESSION
Final Adjournment Expected AT
Conclusion Of Afternoon
Meeting
(By Associated Press. }

Ell PASO, Texas, Nov. 3D.
The American Federation of
Labor voted in it's annual con-
vention today to adhere to a
non-partisan political policy,
rejecting with only one oppos-
ing vote two resolutions which
would have committed the
membership to support of a
new political party.
Opposition to governmental invasion
Of the industrial field was approved as
a fundamental guiding policy of the
federation. In rejecting a resolution
urging trade agreements between the
United States and Russia, the conven-
ton unanimously re-affirmed its Oppo-
sition to relations with the soviet re-
gime.
Pacificism Denounced.
A resolution commencing military
training camps was referred to the
executive council for action with an
expression of approval of the principle
of preparedness and denunciation of
pacificism.
Action on a score of questions of
lesser importance presented to the con-
vention in the reports of two of its
most important committees, brought the
assemblage tonight near, the end of its
business program.
"Our non-partisan political policy
does not imply that we shall ignore the
existence or attitudes of political
parties" the committee on resolutions
reported. ut does mean that labor pro-
poses to use all parties and be used by
uone."
Two delegates spoke against the COM
mittee report, but when the chair called
for viva voce vote, only one dissent
ing voice was heard. Dr.,
Matthew Vol, sixth vice president
and chairman of the resolutions COM
mittee, said in urging acceptance of the
committees report, that the vote for
the independent presidential ticket in
the recent election demonstrated that
labor will not be led into a separate i'll
dependent political party
He pointed to a continuance of non
partisan activity as the most effective
policy.
Must Find Own Way.
In accepting the report of the COM
mittee on the executive councils ac-
tivities since the last convention, the
convention approved a declaration that
industry must find its own way
through the difficulties with which it
is beset or face the alternatives of
state intrusion, which must invariably
lead to bureaucracy and breakdown"
Democracy cannot come into indus
try through the state" the report said.
Under a special order of business
scheduled for tomorrow morning the
convention will proceed to the election
of officers and the selection of the 1925
meeting place. Final adjournment
probably will be taken at the conclusion
of the afternoon session.
The report of the resolutions COM
mittee on Russia reiterated the "com-
plete agreement" Of the federation with
the present attitude of our govern
ment toward the Russian government
Two delegates urged rejection of the
committee report, asserting that the
Russian market would become an i'm
portant factor in permanent business
prosperity in America.
Soviet Denounced.
President Samuel Gompers and Vice
President Woll spoke for the commit
tee report, alluding TO the fall of the
British labor party on the question of
soviet recognition.
This convention cannot take the po-
sition of indOrsing or in any way en-
couraging a government by murder and
theft" Vol said.
President Gompers said America
would be the first nation to extend
hand of welcome to a truly representa-
tive government in Russia.
"Pacifism is no less obnoxious to
the ideals of the American labor move
ment than the spirit of militarism," the
committee report in recommending that
activity to encourage the military train
ing camps be placed in the hands of
the executive council
CONTINUED On Page TwO.)