The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1925-10-16
NEWS REVIEW OF
CURRENT EVENTS
Federation Of Labor Spurns
Briton's Plea for Union
With Russian Workers.
ey EDWARD w. PlcKARD

BY EDWARD w. PlCkARD
CREAT BRITAIN is alarmed by the
VI spread Of communism in that
country, but Americans need not worry
about it over here, If the words of
President William Green Of the Amer
lean Federation of Labor and the
cheers that greeted them in the fedora
TONS annual convention are true in
dication.
Arthur A. Purcell, member of the
British parliament, president of the In
ternational Federation Of Trades
Unions and a fraternal delegate in the
meeting in Atlantic City. told the con-
vention of his recent visit to Russia
and his study of industrial conditions
there. and then advised the workers of
America to establish the closest rela-
tions with the Russian workers.
1--WE must not be afraid Of new
IDEAS" he said. sit has often struck
me that, while the Americans have
been the most advanced, the most re-
ceptive, in ideas concerning mechanical
inventions and business organization,
they have been slow in accepting new
social and political ideas. Just as
British workers have sent delegations
to Russia, so / hope and trust the
American Federation of Labor will do
the same. Do not be afraid of being
called names. Were Abraham Lincoln,
Samuel Gompers or Scene Debs, those
great sons Of the American people,
ever afraid of being called names. or
being reviled. maligned or persecuted?"
Whereupon President Green arose
with fire in his eyes and said: ave in
America know something of the teach
ings of communism and the control the
communist party exercises over the So
called Russian internationale. We
know that influence emanating from
Moscow is seeking, as it has always
sought, not to cooperate with us but
to capture and control us. They call
the officers and Representative of the
American labor movement takers,
crooks. and scabs. Frankly they say
they do not believe in collective bar
gaining They do not see in any strike
an opportunity to increase wages, to
shorten hours, to improve the condi-
tion of the employment for workers,
but they see in every strike an oppor-
tunity for revolution.
THE Trade Union Educational
legaue here in America, which Is a
creature of the communist party, frank
ly announces that it's policy is to bore
within the labor movement, to de-
stroy it and substitute for our philoso-
ply the philosophy of communism,
We are not ready to accept that. and
we wish that our friend who has SO
kindly offered such frank suggestions
might take back to the Russian Red
International this message: That the
American labor movement will not
affiliate with an organization that
breaches that doctrine"
Jumping to their feet, the delegates
all shouted their approval Of Green's
declaration.
In the opening of the convention
Mr.. Green voiced the determination of
organized labor to fight for passage of
the child labor amendment to the Con-
stitution., The executive council re-
ported an increase 'of $4,000 in mem
bership over last year.
ID RESIDENT COOLIDGE won new
laurels for himself by his address
before the convention of the American
Legion, in Omaha. Tolerance" was
bis main theme, and he pleaded elo-
quently with his fellow Americans to
drop every vestige of racial, religious
and sectional intolerance. ''It seems
clear" said he, "that the results of the
war will be lost and we shall only be
entering a period of preparation for
another conflict unless We can de-
mobilize the racial antagonisms, fears
hatreds, and suspicious, and create an
attitude OF liberation in the public
mind of the peoples of the earth. II
our country is to nave any position OF
leadership. | trust it may be in thai
direction. and I believe that the place
where It Should begin As at home.
'Tf we are to maintain and perfect
our own civilization. If we are to be Of