Montana labor news., 1934-10-11
S. Clay Williams, New Chairman NRA Admins
trative Board, Assailed; Express Confidence in
President; all in Line with Social Progress; Some
May Not Pass.

San Francisco, Cal.-The fifty-fourth
annual convention OF the American
Federation OF Labor opened here Mon
day, October l, amid evident enthusi-
asm and sound hopes for practical ac-
complishment.
William Green, dynamic leader OF
labor's forces, is presiding at all SEES
sions, while the venerable and thor
oughly capable Frank Morrison, sec
rotary continues to astonish his fell
low-workers by the completeness OF his
attendance to the many details Of the
great convention.
Many Resolutions
The outstanding feature of the early
days of the convention, which will last
for two weeks, is the introduction of
over 100 resolutions by the over $50
delegates in attendance. These resolu-
tions cover a wide variety OF subjects,
chiefly concerned with the problems Of
organized labor and of social progress.
Not all will pass, of course, although
the recommendation of committees to
which they are respectively referred
are usually accepted by the delegate
body.
In a resolution introduced by |. M.
Ornburn, president Of the Cigar Max
ers' International Union, s.. Clay Will
liams, formerly connected with a promi-
nent non-union tobacco concern and
recently appointed chairman Of the Ad-
ministrative Board of NRA, was bit
terly assailed as one who is highly
prejudiced' and who favors the virtual
enslavement of the worker" President
Roosevelt will be asked to conduct an
investigation and to reconsider the APP
pointment.
Varied Subjects Covered
Included among the over 100 reso1u-
tons offered are many subjects of vital
concern to all who work for a living.
Matters affecting social security and
social progress appear to predominant.
A summary of the resolutions may be
given briefly as follows
More drastic enforcement of NRA
regulations for the benefit of labor.
Reduction of working hours without
reduction OF pay.
Establishment Of oldlage pensions
and unemployment insurance.
Government ownership Of banks and
Government control of communications.
telephone and telegraph, in conjunction
with the postal service.
Enactment of Federal legislation ban
ming company unions"
Closing Of industrial plants where
strikes are in progress to workers and
owners alike, pending adjustment of
difficulties, both the National Guard
and Federal military units to be used
for that purpose.
Expression of confidence in President
Roosevelt.
Increase in maximum relief by the
Federal Emergency Relief Administra-
ton to meet increased living costs.
Formation of a political labor party.
Abolition Of private employment
agencies.
Registration Of all aliens in the Unit
ed States.
Federal legislation to promote low
cost housing.
Legislation to prevent lynching.
Major resolutions with internal ap-
plication include:
Proposed increase in the personnel
of the Executive Council from II to "A
members.
Advocacy of industrial unionism over
craft unionism.
Rededication Of the Federation to its
traditional advocacy of crafts union
ism.
Affiliation with the International
Federation OF Trades Unions.
Creation of a Federation Strategy"
board and a board of planning and
cooperation"