A.F.L.

There has seldom been so much peace as prevailed at the 45th annual convention of the American Federation of Labor which closed last week at Atlantic City* The only outbursts of any moment were outbursts of enthusiasm. Intrafederation dissension was conspicuous by its absence. Major developments :

Gompers. A memorial session for Samuel Gompers was held at which his associates paid him tribute. Said President Green, his successor: "As Washington was the father of his country, so was Samuel Gompers the father of the American Federation of Labor. As Lincoln was the savior of his country, so was he the savior of the Federation in the many crises through which it passed. . . . His soul goes marching on."

Wage Policy. In adopting a report on wages the Federation for the first time in its history adopted a productivity theory of wages. It has had "a living wage" and other wage war cries, but its declaration last week would seem to place the wage earner side by side with the employer in the effort to increase production--provided labor can get the benefit of the increase.

Freight Handlers. By vote of 6 to 1, the convention voted to suspend from the Federation the union of railway and steamship clerks, freight handlers, express and station employees unless it should abandon claims to jurisdiction over drivers and chauffeurs, etc., who belong to another union. The delegates of the suspended union, which has 160,000 members, threatened that their union would withdraw from the Federation rather than yield.

Gifts. President Green presented the usual gifts to visiting delegates from abroad: watches to Arthur A. Purcell of Great Britain, Donald Dear of Canada and Roberto Haberman of Mexico; diamond stickpins to Ben Smith of Great Britain and Canuto Varges of Mexico; a diamond lavalliere to Mrs. Donald Dear.

Healed Wounds. President Green succeeded in patching up jurisdictional disputes between the brotherhood of teamsters and the street and electric railway carmen as well as arranging a truce between the plasterers and bricklayers.

Coal Strike. John L. Lewis, President of the United Mine Workers, told the convention that the anthracite mine operators were mulcting the public by selling inferior grades of coal for more expensive grades, and that the public had been lulled into a false security. Said he:

"The people have been told during the past 60 days, first, that they need not fear a suspension, and then that there was ample coal on hand. Foolish public men have created for the American people a fool's paradise, and they are due for a fool's awakening. If the mines were to start tomorrow it is extremely unlikely, from present prospects, that production and distribution would catch up with fuel requirements before the coming of next spring."

The convention responded by resolving that:

"We approve the efforts of the mine workers in their demands for increased wages, improved working conditions and complete recognition of the union. In the name of the millions of organized workers in America, we approve their policies and extend to to them the hand of fellowship and mutual cooperation."

Membership. By action of the convention a plan for a 40 weeks drive for increased membership was undertaken.

Election. When in the closing hours of the convention a vote was taken on the election of officers, the entire set of last year's officers was re-elected including President Green who was named President by the Executive Council after the death of Mr. Gompers a year ago. When the result was announced Mr. Green advanced on the platform and exclaimed: "I pledge all that I am, all I have. Here it is--my mind, my brain, my body, my service--all in your service."

Resolutions Passed. The lists of resolutions passed was long and comprehensive, including: for jury trial of labor leaders tried for violating injunctions; for support of no political party; for support of individual candidates in order to get a sympathetic majority in Congress; against Communism; for a labor life insurance company (being organized); against Vice President Dawes' campaign "to abolish free speech" in the Senate; fw a Federal Department of Education; for a Congressional investigation of the Bell telephone system; for abolition of the Railroad and Labor Board; for a Labor memorial in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine "in order to forever silence the charge that Labor is a selfish, biased and non-communal organization."

* The earlier sessions of the Convention were reported in TIME, Oct, 19.