Montana labor news., 1932-12-08
THE A. F. OF L. CONVENTION

Captivating to what President William Green de-
cribed as the expectation of workers all over the country,
the Sind annual convention Of the American Fedora
ton of Labor endorsed unemployment insurance legis-
lation as the considered policy Of labor, at Cincinnati,
Nov. 80. The vote, which followed a long debate. was
by show of hands and only three hands, shepherded by
President c. P. Howard of the printers, were seen against
it out of a total of over 300 delegates.
Howard and Secretary John P. Frey of the metal trades
department, the principal open foes of endorsement,
charged that it was a radical departure from previous
principle and position of the Federation. Green answered
that the times are changing fast and the A. F. of L.
cannot flag in this great social reform and economic
necessity" Other known foes, like Chairman Matthew
Vol of the resolutions committee, which submitted the
favorable report, remained silent.
Green made a significant statement in the course of
his address when he declared that the executive council
had changed its policy, though not federation prin-
ciple' not only because times had changed and because
the workers demanded it, but ''for reason | cannot now
mention"
"Forceful methods and force of some kind were
boldly threatened against employers if reason and per-
suasion fail to win them the five-day, 30-hour week, as
Green's personal contribution to a strong demand by the
A. +. OF L. convention. He received the best cheer any
convention had accorded to his u~tterances since he be-
came president eight years ago. His insistence on force
followed an unequivOcal report by the committee on
shorter work week, for the 30-how week and higher
wages per week.
He told how Hoover had failed to respond to the
executive councils appeal but added that the new adj
mlniStratiOn might set an example, as the biggest single
employer of labor, in inaugurating the 30-hour week. He
denounced the extravagant profits since the war and
demanded that all sUper-prOfits be abolished and paid to
workers as wages.
After delegates had yelled and laughed to scorn the
sole defender of a labor party, Delegate George Poll Of
the pressmen, the convention adopted, without a dissent
ing vote, the recommendation of the executive council
and Of the resolutions committe to continue the non-par-
tisan political policy of the Federation.
Much more serious difference of opinion was revealed
in the dry issue discussion. The resolutions committee
recommended, in its report, that beer and light wines be
permitted now, that the 18th amendment be repealed
and that each state control its own liquor traffic or for
bid it. For the first time in its history the Federation
voted for repeal, though delegates and President Green
as well spoke against it on the ground that the wet-dry
issue should not be allowed to divide labor.
The policy of opposing all immigration into this coun-
try was reaffirmed without discussion. Federal appro-
prlatlons for relief of unemployment were urged. Modi-
fication of the antitrust laws was asked. Federal regu-
lation of the coal industry through the Davis Kelly bill
was endorsed. The bill would permit coal companies to
organize collective sales agencies and would guarantee
miners the right Of collective bargaining.
Resolutions for naturalization of the banking system,
meaning having them aforementioned for extension
OF postal savings banks to all forms of banking, for great
er government control over banks and the like-all were
referred to the executive council for formulation of a pol
icy to be reported to the 1888 convention. Also referred
was a proposal to tax labor-displacing machinery for the
benefit of the unemployed. This was advocated by Pres
ident Thomas F. Martin of the flint glass workers and by
President E. j. Manion of the railroad telegraphers.
Freedom for Tom Mooney and Warren K. Billings,
whom the convention declared innocent of the San Fran
cisco preparedness day explosion of 1916, was again
demanded by the A. f. of L., but the former restrictions
OF the manner in which freedom campaigns were to be
carried on were %reimposed.
UNION STRENGTH IN AUSTRIA
A11ctrio'c Froo Trodo Unions on bo1J;,o +bo;r an