Show JUNK 23 3 1020 Democratic Opportunity t THE TH journeying ing of Samuel Gompers president of the 1 American AmeriC n Federation of Labor to San Francisco i taking with him bim William Green secretary of the miners' miners I union and md other labor leaders implies that a special cf- cf Tort fort is to be made to get the Democratic convention to in include in its platform plat as many of f the declarations of the Montreal con convention as possible Such action adion is natural natural nat nat- ural ural thoroughly American and in conformity with the tho attitude of Mr frequently expressed that the of labor Jabor will bo be better bett r by working I through the agency of the old parties than b by essaying to form a labor part party I It is presumed that Mr fr will not fail as a dutiful servant of his organization to t impress upon the San Francisco convention among ong other things the of government ownership of railroads which the he American l Federation at Montreal indorsed by a vote ote of o to Of course Mr Gompers exerted all the powers of his gifted eloquence to induce the Montreal convention not to resolve in favor or of government owner owner- ship hut but having been een so overwhelmingly outvoted d it is incumbent upon him hint as a loyal spokesman of the majority major- major ity t to vigorously advocate ocate a n. doctrine to which he is personally personally per- per violently j 1 L. L opposed L J Lt 1 C 1 o i more arraignment 01 UL un LI pian piu UJ OL w. 0 operation proposed at Montreal which thich is virtually the I Plumb plan plait could be presented than that made by Mr Gompers He lIe pointed out with fino fine discernment that under tinder the plan proposed the railroad workers would become just so many government a n condition condition con con- fraught with responsibilities and dangers which were of the most menacing character to their tion But he lie was answered with the cry that the workers work work- ers must get political power and then run the roads to suit themselves cs The Thc demand to be made upon the San Francisco convention convention con eon then will be that the platform declare for government government gov gov- acquisition of the railroads at nt public c- c expense and operation by the acting through the government govern govern- ment in their own particular interest It remains to be seen seen what the Democrats will do The Republican platform has come out squarely in opposition to government go ownership and operation or operation of the railroads basing its s objections upon lupon the same me arguments which were so ably presented at Montreal b by Mr Gompers Here is an opportunity for a 3 definite issue to be settled by referendum to the polls Meantime Mr Gompers himself is not in an enviable enviable enviable en- en viable position Be He is keen enough to foresee that government government gov gov- emment ownership of railroads with its inevitable and enormous normous increase in taxes is not going to be popular w with h the people whose backs are already burdened with about all that the traffic will hear bear |