Evening star., 1935-10-14
.A.F.L. VOTES FIGHT
FOR 3O-HOUR WEEK.
Proposal to Outlaw Injunc-
tions in Strikes Studied
by Labor.
BY the Associated Press.

by LUc hoSOClhtcQ FTccS.
ATLANTIC CITY, N. j.. October
14.-The American Federation of
Labor Convention voted unanimously
today to fight for a 30-hour work
week through American business and
industry.
We're going out of here and fight
for this as we have never fought
before" shouted William Green, fed
Grafton president. just before the con-
vention approved the Shorter Work
Week Committees report that the
federation should use both its eco
nomic strength and its influence in
Congress to reduce working hours.
IF there's any one who opposes
this, let him get out Of the way, be-
cause the American Federation OF
Labor will not tolerate Stacker"
This last remark followed a ques-
ton from the floor by w. R. Trotter,
delegate from International Typo
graphical Union, as to whether the
advocates of the 30-hour-week could
depend on "at least neutrality from
those members of the Executive Coun-
Gil who do not support this"
Edward ]. Gainor. chairman Of the
Shorter Work Week Committee and
a member of the council, said he
didn't know of any opposing council
members. Trotter. interviewed by re-
porters, declined to enlarge upon his
remark.
Nothing will stop us from securing
the 30-hour week." Green shouted.
I'VE will get it either through the
exercise Of our economic strength or
through legislation. While many of
us would rather get 1t through eco
nomic strength, am sure we are not
particularly concerned about the
method, as long as we get it.
I'VE cannot resign ourselves to
fate Of caring permanently for 10 or
IL million persons on relief rolls. 1t
is a menace to our democratic in
stitutions.
Labor, too, wants an opportunity
to enjoy leisure, to develop the spir-
itual things in life. There is nothing
that SO destroys morale as continued
unemployment"
The committee reported that the
Executive Council should be directed
to bend every effort toward securing
enactment of the Black -Connery 30
hour week bill.
The center of the unemployment
problem. it said was the recent in
crease in workers productive capacity
and, with N. r. AS collapse, a wide
spread lengthening of working hours.
The sole remedy for our present
dilemma is substantial shortening
OF the work week." 1t concluded.
The average work week last year, it
pointed out, was 3713 hours; this
year, SO hours.
No effort should be spared. the COM
mittee said, to shorten working hours.
1t recommended that this move be
made the paramount objective" of
the convention.
Meantime, George Harrison, presi-
dent Of the railway clerks and Green's
mediator in the factional scrap in
the building trades department, told
reporters he hoped he could announce
peace agreement before nightfal.
A resolution condemning Gov. Paul
V. McNutt of Indiana for calling out
National Guardsmen in the strike at
Terre Haute was referred to the fed
Grafton officers, with instructions to
seek settlement Of the labor dispute.
A Labor party committee, organized
with William F. Kelley of the United
Textile Workers at its head, an
nounced determination "to go to the
floor of the convention with a plan
of concerted action"
Support has been given the resolu-
ton for creation of a labor party
introduced by Francis j. German, vice
president Of the textile workers. Among
supporting groups were the automo-
bile workers. the ladies garment
workers, the hatters. brewery workers,
mine. mill and smelter workers, dyers
and the fur workers.
Meanwhile, delegates studied a pro-
posal to outlaw injunctions in strikes.
A resolution from the Illinois State
Federation urging the abolition of in
functions as "a treacherous weapon
in the hands of employers" was be-
fore the Legislation Committee, which
was virtually ready to report to the
convention.