The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-02-10
ATFL PRESIDENT
 E KEYN0TER AT
 BANQUET ON SAT.
Baptist Minister Elected to Hiqh Office in Alaska
 Labor Ranks

Saturday evening in the Gold Room of the Baranof, more than 125 delegates to the convention of the Alaska Territorial Federation of Labor and tLeir guests gathered for a banquet.
 Newly elected President Felton H. Griffin of Anchorage in key note address set the highlight of the evening and outlined the pat tern of what he hopes the ATFL will work toward during the forth coming year.
 Introduced by outgoing President Thomas Moore, the Rev. Griffin, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Anchorage, and also member of the Painters Union, commented on his pride in the fact that the ranks of labor should have the con- fidence in a Christian minister to select him as their leader fer a year.
 The Rev. Griffin stated:
 The man or organization who has strength, as the ATFI is now recognized as possessing, and does not make wise use of it, has no right under God to that strength. ''
 Labor" the new President con- tinued, should never be selfish in the outlook on life Here in Alaska the strength we possess should be used to the welfare of the Terri tory and all of her people, and a real effort made to give better lift to every man and woman in labor and in Alaska.
 We have resolved in this con- : vention to support the betterment of Alaska, toward Statehood and toward a better educational and social program.
 Labor And Politics "Lahor and politics cannot be , divorced" Griffin stated. Only politicians can be divorced from labor. But we should have friends rather than politicians and Grif- fins gaze strayed to the members of the Territorial Legislature seat ed at the banquet table, and to the Governor of Alaska seated at his side.
 T shall do my dead level best, he promised, ito lead our organiza- ton in such manner that We should feel no shame toward any, one with an attitude of enmity toward us Not everyone who dis agrees with me is wrong, although it may be impossible to convince that person that I'm right
 Looking again at the Territorial Legislators, President Griffin stat ed: Alaska has had no trouble dur ing the past year with Alaskan la bor Any difficulties have been with labor from outside the Terri tory"
 Griffin commented on recent sug- gestions that restrictive labor legis- lation now in Congress, might lay a heavy hand on Alaskan labor. My opinion is that it would be very unwise to kick fellow before he calls you a bad name
 Presentations
 Following the address a set Of sterling silver was presented to out going Secretary Irma Johnson, and a Waltham watch to Moore, who commented that now he would have time to look at the time.
 AS master of ceremonies, Moore then introduced the other new off, cers elected at the convention Fri day. Various leading delegates chairmen of their local delegations, were also introduced, and the fol- lowing guests: Senator's Nerland and Walker; Representatives New ell, Snider, Garnick, Engstrom, Huntley, Andrew Hope, Barnett and Frank Johnson. Also introduced were the Governor of Alaska, Con- missioner of Labor Henry Benson and Michael Haas, representative of the United States Department Of Labor.
 Dancing followed the banquet.