Evening star., 1915-06-23
LABOR MEN ORGANIZE
TO OPPOSE ALL WAR
Mr.. Buchanan Of Illinois Elected
Head Of Society, Which Would
Forfeit Patents on Munitions,

Opposition TO extension Of tho means
for national defense, and declarations
favoring the acquisition by the govern
ment Of a monopoly on the manufac-
ture of arms and ammunition Of all
kinds, were voiced at a meeting last
night at the St James Hotel. attended
by members of several national labor
organisations.
Tho resolutions adopted at the gath
ering. which included representatives.
Of number Of organizations from sew
eral cities in the east and middle west,
denounced an adequate army and navy
as "a menace to peace" and asserted
that as the patent rights on and the
manufacture of arms, ammunition and
the implements of war are in the hands
of international combinations Of capi-
talists who sell their products indis-
criminately to the governments OF the
world and promote tho sale OF such
feelings Of national prejudice and jeal-
ousy and by employing periodical war
scares in different countries. the gov
ernment should take immediate steps
to prevent the sale Of munitions Of war
to any belligerent power.
Officers Chosen.
Representative Frank Buchanan Of
Illinois was chosen president OF the
the other officers being:
First vice president. Milton Snellings,
Washington. D. c.. Stationary and
Steam Operating Engineers Interna-
tional Union: second vice president,
William F. Kramer. Chicago. ILL.,, In
ternational Brotherhood of Black
Modest, New York city. Amalgamated
Meat Cutters of America: fourth vice
Orange. N. J.. secretary-treasurer Fed
Grated Central Body Of tho States Of
New York and New Jersey; secretary,
L. P. Straube, Chicago. Ill, CONNER
cial Portrait Artists: treasurer, Ernest
trail Federated Union; sergeant-at-
arms. Fred Lohn, Chicago. Ill. Leather
Workers International Union: gen.
eral counsel. former Representative
H. Robert Fowler. Harrisburg. III.
Not Sponsored by A. +. Of L.
When the newly formed association and
its objects was called to the attention Of
Samuel Gompers, president Of the Aneri-
can Federation Of Labor. Mr.. Gompers
declared the Organization was in no wise
while the American Federation Of
Labor stands for peace in preference to
war; said President Gompers. land
while 1t has gone on record. by resolu-
ton. as opposing war on principle. tho
federation has never advocated govern
ment monopoly Of the manufacture Of
arms and munitions OF war"
President Gompers called attention to
the letter written by him to be read at
the peace meeting held in New York last
week, saying. however. that the senti-
ments expressed in the letter were his
own. and that he did not claim that they
wero an authorized expression OF the
sentiment Of the American Federation Of
Labor as whole.
Vain Effort to Hold Conference.
Efforts were made today to arrange
for q conference between President
Wilson and q committee headed by
Buchanan, at which 1t
was desired to inform the President
of the objects fought to be attained by
the new organization. and to present
to him a copy of the resolutions adopt
ed last night. Owing othe fact that
the President is making arrangements
to leave the city this evening, however,
1t was impossible to arrange for a
1t was explained today that tho new
organization has absolutely no con-
nection with any political propaganda
In favor OF former Secretary Bryan.
but that 1t was formed for the purpose
OF bringing to bear all the influence of
labor organizations in the United
States and abroad, as well as the labor |
Ing classes generally. In favor of a
general disarmament Of the nations