At Portland

The American Federation of Labor opened its 43d annual convention in Portland, Ore., and before it came its patriarchal leader, Samuel Gompers, with a declaration of faith.

" On my honor as a man," he swore, " and as an adopted citizen of the United States, with all sympathy for other people in their struggles toward realization of an ideal of freedom, I declare that I believe the Republic of the United States of America is the best form of government on the earth today."

He added, however: " Great as is the United States Government, and best in the world though it is, it is still not good enough for us nor good enough for those who are to come after, and under the law we are here to contribute our share to make it still better "

In the achievement of this end he placed foremost the question of child labor. He condemned the use of injunctions against Labor, the Ku Klux Klan and radical activities in Labor and out.

Another feature of the opening of the convention was the report of the Executive Council of the Federation, not differing from Mr. Gompers' recommendation, but more specific and more extensive in its attack on: 1) Propaganda of the Red Internationale in the U. S. for the amalgamation of trade unions into one big union.

2) The Federated Press news service, for labor publications, because it gives more attention to any protesting minority than to the bona fide trade union movement," and because William Z. Foster and Arne Swabeck are asserted to be directors of the Press.

3) " The danger to our institutions" if immigration is not restricted further than at present.

4) The use of the injunction in labor disputes, going further and fur- ther " in its repressive features."

5) The Ku Klux Klan's " efforts to supplant organized government, to promote religious intolerance, racial antagonisms and bigotry."

6) Fascisti organization in the U. S., "hostile to every institution of American freedom."

7) The Esch-Cummins Railroad Act, which " proved an utter failure."

8) " Five-four" decisions of the U. S. Supreme Court on the constitutionality of laws. The Council recommended that Congress have the power to reenact by a two-thirds vote any law declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.