At El Paso

For the 44th time, the American Federation of Labor assembled. In Liberty Hall, El Paso, Tex., 400 delegates representing the 3,365,979 members of the Federation sat down to hear the welcome of Samuel Gompers, venerable President. For the first time in the many years of his presidency, Mr. Gompers committed his address to paper, had it read. It began:

"Events of recent months have made me keenly aware that the time is not far distant when I must lay down my trust for others to carry forward. When one comes to close grips with the eternal things, there comes a new sense of relative values; and the less worthy things lose significance."

Meanwhile, across the Rio Grande at Juarez the Mexican Confederation of Labor was holding its sixth annual Convention. That afternoon, the Mexican delegates, 1,000 strong, marched across the international bridge into El Paso. There came agrarian delegates, sandaled, in white cotton suits, with pink and orange scarfs and straw sombreros; there came industrial delegates in overalls ; there came white-collared workers in white collars; there came women workers in orange and white blouses with black shawls. Straight to Liberty Hall marched the Mexicans and entered amid cheers. The leaders of the parade, one of them carrying a Mexican flag, embraced Mr. Gompers. Speeches followed; and translations. Then Mr. Gompers called for representatives of the British Trades Union Congress, the Canadian Trades and Labor Congress, the German Federation of Trades Unions. They came to the platform; and all clasped hands. Tears rolled down Mr. Gompers' cheeks.

The next day the A. F. L. returned the visit of the M.C.L.

Other events of the session:

P:An attempt to amalgamate all the unions engaged in various phases of the work of the iron and steel industry into one great industrial union was defeated.

P:Resolutions were passed recommending the passage of the Edge-Kelly Bill, increasing the pay of post office employes, over the President's veto; opposing a modification of the Japanese exclusion clause of the Immigration Law; endorsing citizens' military training camps in so far as they are good for youth and not militaristic in intent: asking the abolition of convict labor: demanding Federal laws prohibiting the transportation of workers to communities where there are strikes; favoring the abolition of tax-exempt securities.

P:A special report of the Executive Council recommended that the Federation continue its non-Partisan Political Campaign Committee and declared: "We are partisan to principles--not to a political Party." Adherence to the La-Follette Party was definitely voted down.

P:When news of the death of Mrs. Harding was read, the delegates stood in silence; and then adjournment was taken for the day.

P:John L. Lewis, President of the United Mine Workers, secured the passage of a resolution condemning Warren S. Stone, President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, for failing to renew a wage agreement with the United Mine Workers at coal mines owned by the Coal River Collieries, of which Mr. Stone is Chairman of the Board of Directors.

P:Proceedings were hurried up in order that the delegates might take train for Mexico City in time for the Inauguration of President Calles and the meeting of the Pan-American Federation of Labor on Dec. 1.