Evening star., 1933-10-07

POttAAAe di1SC1iSA1 dlilOtAoLi lASt- AdI
would have been the order of Samuel
Gompers If he were with us today"
Convention in Recess.
The federation convention, under way
five days, recessed over the day for the
services, the delegates setting aside con-
vention disputes to join in the dedica-
ton of a memorial to which all had
contributed
Telling first how Gompers. born in
England. later became the "chieftain"
of workers in the United States: Green
continued in his prepared speech:
To-day labor places new value upon
his wise counsel. his sound Judgment
and his foresight.
The principles Of collective bargain
ing, of cooperation. increased purchas-
ing power through high wages. the lin
itation Of the hours of employment
suitable to the manufacturing and eco
nomic needs of industry, though re-
garded as revolutionary when first pro-
| claimed during the early period Of Mr..
Gompers' career. are now accepted as
fixed part of our governmental poll
cieS =
1T is no exaggeration to say that
ing for cooperative human relations
in industry. formulated and recon-
mended by Mr. Gompers, are embodied
in principle in the national recovery
act"
Headed A. F. Of L. 40 Years.
The central figure in the monument,
done by Robert Aitken. sculptor, is
Gompers. seated. Behind stand three
allegorical figures signifying unionism,
fraternity and brotherhood.
81 ~
of L. 40 years. In 1924 he went to
Mexico for the Inauguration of Presi-
dent Gales, few weeks after an ardu-
GUS federation convention.
Stricken with heart attack in Mex
leo City. Green reminded today, "he
begged his friends to help him reach
the border of the United States so that
he could breathe his last in the lano
of his adoption
Gompers barely got into Texas.
His memorial was authorized that
same year. Up to last August 81. A. F.
of L. members had donated $l32,827
for the monument.
Member Drive Voted.
A vigorous continuation of the organ
ization campaign that has brought it
many thousands of new members since
the N. R. A. began functioning was Or
dered unanimously yesterday by the fed
! Grafton.
Without dissenting vote, the con-
vention approved a section of the Ex-
ecutive Councils report saying:
I'VE urge upon all organizations of
labor and their individual members to
support and co-opater in every effort
/ which may be made in their localities to
organize the unorganized and to build
up and strengthen the existing organ
tzationS.
I'VE recommend that the organizing
campaign which is now being carried
on, be continued in broad, vigorous
and progressive way so that all workers
to organize and become affiliated with
the American Federation of Labor"
Some delegates forecast that al
though the convention by this action
already had indo sed the federation's
present method of organizing it would,
next week, object to continuing the en-
iistment Of new members qualified for
trade unions into Federal industrial
unions
A proposal that colored organizers be
employed to seek new members for
unions was sent to the Executive Coun-
Gil
A. Philip Randolph, colored, repre-
sentine the Pullman car porters, asked
organizers for his race, saying it had
| been reported to him that employers in
shipyards have been playing colored
against white workers so as to weaken
them"
Special Services Listed.
Two special services will be held for
| the delegates tomorrow.
At 10 o'clock in the morning there
/ will be a high mass at ST. Patrick s
Church at which the speaker will be
Dr. John A. Ryan. At 4 O'Clock in the
afternoon, services have been arranged
at Washington Cathedral, at which
, President Green will address his asso-
ciates in the federation.
Beginning Monday, the federation will
buckle down to work on the many i'm
portant issues treated in resolutions
which now are being handled in COM
mittee.