Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1925-10-16
A.F.L. Convention
Is Still in Session
Al Atlantic City
Stirring Opening Address BY
Pres. Green-Meeting Con-
tinues Next Week

Atlantic City, N. J.-For the first
time in forty-five years a new hand
welded the gavel at the annual con-
Vention Of the American Federation
of Labor.
The one who presided over the de-
! liberatiOns Of the organized workers
| Of this continent for nearly half a
century is now at rest in Sleepy Hol-
! low cemetery
President Green and associate mem
bers of the executive council present
ed an extensive review Of gains made
and problems that confront the work
ers. This report called especial at
tention to new economic developments
as a result of the world war.
''With these changes the labor
movement has had to meet different
type Of opposition from employers
who oppose the trade union move
ment. Employers realize that the old
methods can no longer be used sue
cessfully against trade unions. There
fore, instead Of opposing labor organ
izations without offering any counter
proposition, they offer substitutes.
Among the more important of these
agencies and methods are: Company
plans emanating from sources other
than groups Of workers.; insurance
provided by employers; empIoye own
ership"
President Green in no uncertain
language declared that the American
Labor movement would never recog-
nize or establish relations with the
Russian Communists.
His statement was in answer to an
address delivered by A. A Purcell,
Fraternal Delegate from the British
Trade Union Congress, who had eX-
pressed the hope in an address to the
American Federation of Labor Con-
vention that America would establish
close relations with the Russian lab
or movement.
The applause which greeted every
biting sentence from President Green
was vigorously applauded by lie del
egates to the American Federation Of
Labor.
After he had declared that the
American Labor Movement would
never affiliate with any organization
that was working for the overthrow
of the American Government the del
egates rose enmass and voiced their
approval.
President Green then turned to Mr..
Purcell and told him to take the
message back to the Russian Red IN
ternationale "that the American Lab
or Movement will not affiliate with
an organization that breaches the
doctrine of communism OF stands for
that philosophy"
eve prefer the philosophy of Sam
uel Gompers to that of Moscow" said
President Green. owe want better
wages and shorter hours here now
and not through a mythical revolu-
tion which the Communists may stage
after our death"
Another sensational incident was
the statement of Roberto Haberman
that of all the nations in the world
only two had worked against the in
tCrests of Mexico, and they were lab
o. Overnments-Great Britain and
Russia.
The council takes strong ground
against wage reductions which, it is
declared, is a social wrong because it
I"Wage reductions" it is stated, "are
u powerful factor in the vicious COM
bination that initiates a period of
business depression"
The organizing and educational
campaign to be launched by the A. +.
Of l.. and the union label trades de
partment is given hearty approval. 1t
is declared that this campaign will
make it possible for labor to strength
en- its position so as 10 meet all at
tacks
'No one can foretell when a new
campaign against labor may be an
dertaken or when another concerted
effort at wage reductions may be at
tempted"
In defending the A. T. of L. non
partisan political olicy the council
says: "The people generally are be-
ginning to realize that hide-bound
partyism does not benefit them. All
too frequently they have learned that
ledges in party platforms are net
always respected, but have been used
simply as a stepping stone to office.
They have therefore reached the con-
clusion that the only method they can
follow that will bring about the cleo
tion of men who will be true to the
people is through non-partisan po-
litcal policy"
Secretary Frank Momisvn's repor;
showed an increased membership our
ing the year.
Much important business is being
acted upon by the convention, and al
though no time is being wasted the
meeting will continue into next week.
Crooked fur traders employed sinis-
ter methods In their war to a finish
for commercial supremacy in the
Hudson's Eay country. Read the
thrilling novel soon to start in the
Newark Leader.