Arizona republican., 1915-11-19
Question of Preparedness Threshed Out Before American Federation of Labor Voting Down Res OlutiOn of Protest.
PEOPLE SHOULD
 CONTROL MILITIA
Session Not Without Sev- eral Demonstrations, and Kissing Coming from Parts of Hall As Speak CTS Set Forth Views
TRepublican A. p. Leased Wire]

 1 SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 1S.-The l question of preparedness. coming up
 unexpectedly, was threshed out before 1 the American Federation of Labor to- | day with the result that a resolution
 protesting against the introduction of
 military paganda in the public schools was voted down.
 l But a final vote was not taken until President Samuel Gompers declared
 that he hoped the day soon would come when the people of the United States would control the militia and the reg 1 ular army forces in the interest of peace. justice, democracy and hu-
 manitY.
 The session was not without several | demonstrations hissing coming from various parts of the hall when speak
 CTS on the platform were setting forth | their views as to why the resolution should not be passed.
 On one occasion the demonstration beco me so noticeable, that Vice Presi dent James Duncan of Quincy, Mass. who was presiding, warned the spec tators that if the proper order was not maintained the gallaries would be cleared of visitors. The hissing was attributed to anti -militarists.
 One of those opposing the resolution was Andrew Furuseth. of San Francis co president of the International Sea mans Union. Kissing followed some of his remarks and when Vice Presi- dent Duncan suggested that the gall laries be cleared. Furuseth said:
 The geese are not all in the gal lery.
 The resolution was presented by Adolph Germer Of Mouth Olive. H.. and was refessed to the executive council. A committee having the resolution un- der consideration. reported non-con- currence. When this report was made the discussion began, the first to speak in favor of the movement being Dele gate Germer
 The resolution was urged on the ground that capitalists interest, espec ially those dealing in munitions of war. have inaugurated an extensive pro- military campaign under the deception of preparedness It sets forth: This military mania has been introduced in some of the public schools in order to instilI the susceptible infant mind with pro military ideas. The military. both militia and regular army. are in the most part made mp by the workers. while a the same time the military is the bulkwark of the capitalists when the workers are forced to go on strike to maintain their conditions or get a little greater share of the wealth they create"
 Germer said militarism was being encouraged in institutions of various character, including the school and moving picture theater and that his motive was to head off the prepared ness movement. "If ever there is oc- casion for this country to go to war" said Germer, it will not be the men Of Fifth avenue who will shoulder arms but the men from the ranks of labor"
 Furuseth said he looked forward to the time when the boy at school would be trained and drilled and taught to take care of himself, which in his mind. would give assurance that this country would not become a land of long haired men and short haired women"
 T. w Mccullough of Omaha. said he was not in favor of miiitarism but that it should be remembered that the nation is respected which is able to protect itself
 Joseph Cannon, of New York. speak Ing m IdNOr or the resolution Sdld that a state of preparedness was just such a condition as was desired by such men Ias Morgan the Rockefellers anl Schwab. It all worked out for their benefit, he said. Capitalists want war in this country so as to keep labor in subjection". he said.
 President Gompers said that it had not been intended that the question of preparedness should come up at the time-that the plan had been to con- slider it more especially.
 Rut now that we are on the subject said he. 'I wish to say that I would not have the military forces controlled by a select few. I want it in the hands Of democracy-in the control of the great masses of the people of this country.
 The president said he was opposed to militarism, but that he would like to see the people, the farmer, the work CT and the people in general, thorough ly trained and organized, and that these people control the militia and the regular forces in the interest of peace, justice, democracy and hu- manitY."
 I'm in favor Of international peace. Use the boycott against the nation
 (Continued on Page Three)