Evening star., 1925-10-05
CHILD LABOR FIGHT
|. REVIVED BY GREEN
Battle Has Just Begun, Says
A. F. L. Head at First
Convention Session.
Bv the Associated Press.

ATLANTIC CITY, y. j.. October ;.
President William Green stirred the
delegates OF the American Federation
of Labor to great enthusiasm today
at the opening OF it's forty-tifth an
nual convention by declaring that the
federation had just begun to fight for
the child labor amendment. IF the
impression prevails that we have
given up the fight after the tempor-
airy setback" he said. may l cor
rect that impression with all the ear
neStneSs of my soul
Mr. Green who succeeded the late
Samuel Gompers. for more than 40
years head of the orSa niZation, re-
ceived warm welcome when he
called the convention TO order. lie
said that the work of organized labor
was the work of humanity and that
he purposed to mobilize the economic
strength OF every city. town and VII
lage in the country. Our great mis-
sion" he said, lis to reach ont and
bring together the toilers of the Ma
ton SO that our position will he un-
a assailable.
Cheer Blow ut Courts.
The delegates cheered when Mr..
hor movement had been handica pped
and limited because some of the
courts had seen fit TO usurp their
powers in granting inlunctions.
Labor has been restricted in the
legitimate exercise of It's power he
said. We demand that the courts
shall allow us to be free in the eXer-
else of our rights.
I'VE love America. but we claim the
right to criticize any of her insutu-
tions We will revi1alize the Declara-
ton of Independence and put new
life and spirit in it,
Tribute to GOmpers.
Mr.. Green paid an eloquent tribute
to Mr.. Gompers and said he had been
a great crusader in the cause Of huma n
rights.
I'VE prefer his philosophy and the
doctrines he taught he said, rather
than the vague theories that are offer
ed as substitute by others.
He announced that during the ses-
sion an appropriate memorial meet
ing would he held for Mr.. Gompers.
The delegates were welcomed by
Thomas r. Reynolds. representing
Mayor Bader. and given the key to
the city by State Senator Emerson
l.. Richards. representing the state.
and by Thomas r.. Eames. represent
ing the New Jersey Federation of
Labor.
Reports of the credential and other
committees consumed the remainder
Of the morning session.
All signs point to harmony, espe-
cially after the settlement here last
week OF the long jurisdictional dispute
between the plasterers and bricklay-
ers. Sessions will he held daily for
probably two weeks.
Gompers' Death Crucial Event"
Outstanding accomplishments in
year of growth and activity were re-
ported to the federation by Mr..
Green and the members of the eXeCu
! tive council.
Mindful Of the death Of the late
| Samuel GomperS. head Of the fedora
| ton for many years. the report began
| by declaring that the Crucial event
! in the history of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor during the past year
was his death" and it referred back
repeatedly to the subject in reporting
on the plans for union memorial in
! his remembrance.
/ In that trying period. which by
marking his departure from the helm
| of the labor movement focused world
attention upon his achievements and
upon the splendid constructive work
of our American labor movement.
| the report said. I'VE neglected no way
| by which we could manifest our re
| spect and our regard for his work
| and his memory
The wear gave the federation a
total membership Of 2.S7S.297 persons.
the report said and marked the first
| wear in six in which there was no
| loss of union strength. 1t was a gain
| of approximately 10000 over the 1924
membership. though the total still
was at a mark considerably below the
| high point Of 1920. when 1t was 4.018.-
| 74e Financially. the council account
ed for receipts of $746.34S during the
wear. and expenditures that LETT a
| cash balance Of $213,0o3.
COnfronts New Problems.
In the field of it's work. the report
Esaid. the federation was now finding
that "it has to meet different prob
| lens and a different type of opposi
ton from employers who oppose the
trade union movement This ne"
| opposition involves the building up OF
| "companv unions and the interest
ing of employees in the ownership OF
| industry, along with the provision OF
group insurance. As to the company
union movement. the report said that
studies had been undertaken, while 1t
| called upon labor banks and invest
ment organizations to safeguard saw
ings Of union members.
| Labor is now taking steps to ena bl<
workers to secure cheap but adequate
| insurance protection by ways othe1
than through the beneficence OF EN-
ployers." the report continued. "A
| number of national unions authorized
a committee to organize the Unior
Labor Life Insurance Co, to he con
trolled by trades unions and to furnish
insurance at reasonable rates. sna1ns
the profits of the undertaking will
the policy holders
Labor Banks as Factor.
"The abor banks represent an effor
on labors part to supplement th'
service rendered by the union through
further mobilization and controlled
usage of the earnings and economic
resources of the wage earners. Th'
Federation advises caution with regart
to labor banks. Labor banks must b.
doubly sure of their expert advice be
cause they have greater handicap
than the usual bank which is no
seeking to give the rank and file o
labor those inside banking profits ant
advantages that are usually urged TO
the privileged few.
I'VE recommend that unions con
ltemplating banking undertakings pro
ceed with the greatest caution ant
that they secure the experience o
previous undertakings in this field t.
guide them and that they secure th
services of the best experts available
The federation is now engaged II
making a survey of labor banks"
Cooperation between union organ
izations and managements In organ
izad La hor industry. the renQrt said