Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-11-23
COAL MINE DISPUTE
PASSED TO COUNCIL
Labor Disposes of Threaten.
ing Question of Rail
Union Concern.

by the Associated PreSs-
Ell PASO, Tex, Nov. 22.-The Amer
lean Federation Of Labor convention
divided time through seven busy
hours today between education, legis-
lation, and adjustment of .contro.
versies with affiliated and non -affili-
ated organizations. More than 20
distinct questions, many of them OF
routine nature, were disposed OF by
the convention.
to condemn the labor policy of the
Coal River Galleries Company,
owned by members of the Brother
hood of Locomotive Engineers, were
referred by unanimous vote TO the
executive council of the federation
with direction for further negotia-
tions with officers of the company for
settlement with the United Mine
Workers of America. Adoption OF
this recommendation Of the commit
tee of boycott, without debate in the
morning session, disposed of one Of
the most threatening questions OF the
convention program. Recommended
lions of the committee on education
for thorough study of junior high
schools, the platoon system for the
lower grades, intelligence tests, and
methods of vocational training In
public institutions. were a part OF the
report. approved by the convention.
Condemn Some schools.
A resolution condemning methods
in certain trade schools, including
the part-time schools of the Y. NJ.
c. A., was amended by the committee
to exempt the latter organization
from Its scope.
Endorsement of the Howell Barley
bill to create new machinery for the
adjudication of labor disputes involv-
ing railway employees and the abolf-
tion Of the United States Railroad La
Dor Board. was unanimously voted
by the convention in approving par
tial reports from the committee on
the executive councils report.
During the past year, the labor
board has continued to increase irri-
tation and discord in human rela-
tions on the railroads." the report
said.
Extension of the activities of the
workers education bureau, and closer
cooperation with the educational
agencies of the American Legion also
were recommended in the report of
the committee on education. A per
capita tax of one-half a cent per an
mum for each member affiliated with
the federation for the activities of
the workers education bureau was
voted.
increase DeMcO.
A resolution requested an increase
from IS to $40 per day in the allow
ance to paid organizers for travelling
expenses, was rejected by the COM
mittee on law, which reported that
any increase at this time seemed
.'inadvisable."
Half a dozen jurisdictional disputes
between affiliated organizations were
referred to the executive council for
adjustment Only the dispute be-
tween the electrical workers and the
railway signal men provoked debate
on the floor. After half an hour of
oratory. in which both sides presented
their views, the report OF the COM
mittee on adjustment, referring the
question to the executive council was
approved by a large majority.
Provision for the exchange of a
number of stHdent is annually with
Mexico, under a plan to be known
rs the Samuel Gompers Fellowship
was approved as a memorial to the
cordial relations established between
the workers of the two republics in
their present conventions" Details |
of the plan was LETT to be worked out
by the executive council.
Gifts to Delegates.
The first week OF the convention |
closed with the formal presentation |
of gifts to fraternal delegates from |
Great Britain, Germany, Canada and |
Mexico.
In presenting {. god watch and |
chain to Peter Grassman, vice pr ash |
dent of the Congress of German |
Trade Unions and the first repre-
sentative of Germany ever to sit in |
Il convention of the federation, Pres |
ident Samuel Gompers said the gift |
was offered "as a testimonial of our |
binding affection for any fraternity |
with the German toilers and the Ger
man people.
Believe me when 1 say / am con-
WINGED when interpret the senti-
mentss OF 100. per cent Of the great
rank and file of the men and women |
of the labor movement of America /
when say that you are heartily wei
come among US.
Labor and Wars.
The people. ~of our respective |
countries were not at. war with each |
other of their own volition. To us
there was no other course open than
the one we assumed in that titanic |
struggle. Conditions in your own
country were considerably different |
from those prevailing in ours Force |
and power were exercised over your |
people. With us 1t was our own vol |
uhldiy dCt- we Ieel sure now that |
had the voice of German labor been
fully heard the war would never
have occurred. But be as it may with
us. 1 repeat the war is over and we
want the democratic peoples of all
the nations of the earth to strive in
a common cause Of justice, freedom.
democracy and humanity.
AS a token of the affection which
the delegates to this convention and
those they have the honor to repre-
sent feel, we ask that you accept this
testimonial of our bonding affection
and fraternity to wish for you, the
German toilers and the German peo-
pie and the German republic Your
place in the world Is with every other
democratic, peace-loving and liberty
loving people.
The convention voted as the special
order OF business for Monday morn
ing the reception of the report Of its
committee on resolutions, in which
the bulk of the remaining work of
the assemblage will be presented for
the consideration sof the delegates.
Then will remain only the election
OF officers and the selection of the
next meeting place. Adjournment
probably will be taken Tuesday night
or early Wednesday. Thuraday orl
Friday most of the officers and dele
gates will leave on special train forl
by fx%o - -