Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1916-01-13

Washington, D. c., Jan. 12.-If our
nation is to keep its place among the
leaders of the world, its statesmen
must recognize the Significance of the
trade union movement, writes Presi.
dent Gompers, in the current issue OF
the American Federationist.
The trade union executive calls at
tention to- the changed views Of most
people. regarding International peace
and ventures the prediction that
there is hardly an individual who
has not modified his conceptions" of
this question, and that "the war has
laid bare the basic impulses of human
nature and has made an memorable
test of the institutions of society"
Theories and policies must con-
form to facts as well as to IDEALS" de-
clares Pl ssident Gompers, who in
sists that lit is not so much making
mistakes that is blame-worthy, but in
ability to recognize mist i-ez and I'M
willingness TO- undertake their correc-
ton"
It is further declared that the one
time outlawed and prosecuted trade
unions have proved themselves aeon
.SlIuctiVe factor in human affairs and
are, therefore, a part of organized So
ciety. Because of this fact, together
with their experience and their opin-
ions, President Gompers insists that
their views are necessary for the
completion of any national prepared
ness system.
"The wage earners will no longer
be denied their right to participation
in determining those things which al
feet their welfare" he writes. Their
demand is in accord with the princi-
pies upon which our republic is
founded. They are unwilling to dele
gate to others the determination Of
thpir lives. -.
CHOW that our nation is giving
thought to the problems OF prepared
ness, the wage-earners present their
claim to consultation and participa-
ton. No true plan for preparedness
can fail to include service for them;
therefore, they demand that the plans
shah be democratized.
SHOT only is this demand just, but
that wage-earners can give valuable
advice and service to the nation is
this capacity, is evident from their
achievements. And their experience
and opinions are needed in consider
ing national preparedness. No part Of
our citizenship is more unalteraDly
opposed to ideals OF milltarism and
compulsion than are the members OF
the trade union movement. If provi--
sions for national preparedness are to
be constructive they must escape the
periIs of militarism and autocracy;
they must be based upon voluntary
oud dom oorafic nPincfnIoS
Essential to any plan for human
and national conservation, are phys1-
cal fitness, power and ability for self
and the attitude OF MIND
insistent upon rights and justice. The
trade union movement has done more
for the maintenance Of these qualities
than any other force. Trade union
lists will carry these qualities into
places of formal responsibility to the
nation.
sIf our nation is to keep its place
among the leaders of the world, its
statesmen must recognize the slglAf
canoe and the power of the laib0f
movement which represents the 1deais
of the masses of men, women ana
children Wherever it has established
itself, it has brought with 1t IDEALS
OF humauFIy-lu0dAS 1n0I
strong appeal to heart and mind.
There is human side to every rela-
ton of society. The trade union
movement is the one institution that
represents distinctively the human
element and human welfare. There
fore. Spokesman for labor ought to be
in every commission, committee or
representative body that is entrusted
with consideration Of problems and
dissemination OF policies.
ssI abor now demands its rights.
Efforts must recognize and seek the
cooperation of this great humanitar-
ian movement in order to be effective.
"The workers are quite willing to
hear the full share of their responsible
ity IN any issue. They are ready, as
they have ever been ready, to give
service whatever might betide, but IN
This day of the workers realization OF
their citizenship and sovereignty they
are insistent in the demand that they
have the fullest opportunity OF 40,
vice and consent in the councils OF all
the AFFAIRS of our nation. In the re-
public of the United States, as In any
and every democracy, right must be
ia