The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-12-03
LABOR'S ROAR
FOR REFORMS
ROCKS NATION
Farley Over, Delegates
Pledged to Militant
Drive for Relief.
BDUmited press

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CINCINNATI, Dec. 3.-P1edged to
? militant campaign to use every
power at their command" for the
relief of distressed labor, American
Federation Of Labor delegates have
departed for their homes, bringing
to a close one Of the most dramatic
conventions in the organizations
history.
Not since the early days of the
federation when it dared demand
an eight-hour day and the aboli-
ton Of the employment of women
and children in factories, has labor
Numbered in such vigorous tones at
the economic structure of the coun-
try.
Meeting at time when ten mil
lion workmen are jobless, the dele
gates demanded, in no uncertain
words, sweeping reforms in bust
ness and industry. They attacked
the SNUG self-complacency" of the
country's financial and industrial
leaders, upon whose shoulders they
laid the blame for the depression
and its consequent distress.
Demand 3O-Hour Week
They went further and struck at
what they termed the root of the
situation, "the machine" which has
become a Frankenstein, to destroy
the civilization which it intended to
benefit"
To meet the evils of the mechan-
lied age, and relieve distress now
as we'll as in the future, the fed
Grafton demanded a thirty-hour
week and a plan Of compulsory UNI
employment insurance to be adopt
ed by each state.
These two proposals present the
constructive core" of the conven-
ton, William Green, reelected
president, said Friday in his ac-
ceptance speech These two pro-
posals, revolutionizing industry, if
adopted, present the means of
overcoming the destructive tend
encies of the machine age" he said.
According to the resolutions
adopted the thirty-hour week
would be divided in five days of six
hours each The federation con-
tends that more men would be en-
ployed, without loss of productiv
ity, and resulting in greater distri-
button of goods to workmen.
Unemployment insurance as pro-
posed, would act as a safeguard
against bad times. The worker
would not be thrown on charity,
and industry would pay the cost.
The plan calls for employers setting
aside 3 per cent of their pay roll
for such emergencies.
Stricter control by government of
business practices was urged by the
adoption of legislation which would
compel all businesses and corpora
lions to obtain a federal license
before engaging in interstate COM
merce.
Government ownership of public
utilities, government control of mu-
nitions manufacture, and greater
general supervision by the govern
ment of industry we're demanded.
Hostile to Communism
Once again, as in the past, the
federation, following the policy of
the late Samuel Gompers, declared
against the formation of any po-
litical party, and once again it def
initely declared its "unalterable
hostility" to Communism.
Despite two weeks OF debate and
endless resolution reading, the dele
gates rose to their feet and thun-
dered applause, when Green sent the
delegates away with a final appeal
for the millions who have gone 10
bed hungry night after night for
nearly three years" and his demand
that the organization use every
power at its command" to fight for
the welfare of distressed workers
who we're victims of a mechanical
area.
After the reelection of its chief
officers, the federation voted to hold
its 1888 convention in Washington.