New Britain herald., 1925-10-05

Atlantic City. N. j., Oct, 3 IT,
Out standing accomplishments in a
year of growth and activity We're re-
ported today 10 the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor by William Green,
its president, and the members OF
the executive council.
Mindful of the death Of the late
Samuel Gompers, head Of the feder-
alton for many years, the report be-
gan by declaring that the crucial
event in the history OF the American
Federation of Labor during the past
year was his DEATH and 1t referred
back repeatedly to the subject in re
porting on the plans for a union
memorial in his remembrance.
I'm that trying period which by
marking his departure from the
helm Of the labor movement focused
world attention upon his achieve
ments and upon the splendid con-
structiye work of our American la
Dor movement" the report said, I'VE
neglected no way by which We could
manifest our respect and our regard
for his work and his memory"
Big Membership
The year gave the federation to-
tai membership of o.S7S.297 persons
the report said. and marked the first
year in six In which there was no
loss of union strength. 1t was a
gain Of approximately $4,000 over
the 1924 membership, though the
total still was at a mark consider
ably below the high point Of 1920,
when it was 4,07S,140. Financially,
the council accounted for receipts
Of $746,34S during the year, and eX-
penditures that left a cash balance
of s21S,05S.
In the field of its work, the report
said, the federation was now finding
Ith8ts"it has to meet different prob
lens and a different type Of opposi-
ton from employers who oppose the
trade union movement" This new
opposition involves the building up
of company unions and the inter
esting Of employees in the ownership
Of Industry, along with the provision
of group insurance. As to the com
pany union movement, the report
said that studies had been under
taken, while it called upon labor
banks and investment orga nizations
to safeguard savings Of union men,
bers.
Labor Is now taking steps to en-
able workers TO secure cheap but
adequate insurance protection by
ways other than through the bene'
icence Of employees the report con
,tinued. "A number Of internationa
unions authorizes committee tt
organize the Union Labor Life In.
surance company to be controlled BY
trades unions and 10 furnish insur-
ance at reasonable rates sharing the
profits of the undertaking With the
policy holders. xxx
Advises Caution
The labor banks represent an eff
fcrt on labor's part 10 supplement
the service rendered by the unior
through further mobilization snt
controlled usage Of the earnings anf
economic resources OF me wage
farmers The federation advises eau
ton with regard TO labor banks
labor banks must he doublT sure O.
their expert advice because they
have greater handlcaps thah thf
usual bank which is not seeking tt
give the rank and file Of labor fhosf
inside banking profits ana aH'an
l t2geS that arc usually hrgeo lor tht
privileged few.
We recommend that unions con
.templating banking undertaking.
proceed with the greatest caun"'
and that they secure the experience
Of previous UNDERTAKINGS IN th''
,i'")d to guide them and that they
secure tho services OF the best eN
merits available The federation u
now engaged III making survey 0
, labor banks.
cooperation between union organ
, i1atton9 ami homogeneous IN organ
I'"-H i'''f ''''NS' 80 '''' - -
was possible after collective harga'h'
ing had h'"n fully r"coEn'2ed'
There is an important @rN'c'
that the union can render, 1t Na'
said on this point, fhn' OF parhcl'
NatluT in hndlns better me- hodS o
production and greater produr'ior
economies, group OF WORKERS
cannot enter into TINS type OF co
operation unless they know III" re-
suits Of their work Will not he us'f
10 their Disadvantage. There n1N&'
he mutual confidence and that sta
hility that makes possible fniur5
planning, We recommend that The
federation keep In touch with spct
experts and Industrial engineers a.
may he helpful in developing the
procedure and data necessary tc
union management cooperation.
In the broad political ffld, fhe
> report a7td thar the federation would