Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-07-08
Samuel Gompers Suggests
Formation of Pan-American
Federation of Labor.
AS PARLIAMENT OF MEN
GENUINE IN CHARACTER
International Alliance for the Set.
tlement of Disagreements Be-
tween American Countries.

Formation OF pan-Amer1can 1edera-
ton of Labor. which would act as a par
lament for the settlement Of all dis
agreements between American countries.
is proposed by Samuel Gompers, president
of the American Federation Of Labor, In
an appeal ito the workers Of all Ameri-
can countries" urging formation of a pam
American federation Of labor. The state
ment refers directly to the good offices
of the American Federation Of Labor In
appeasing the threatening Mexican crisis.
"A pan-American federation Is not
only possible. but 1t is necessary" says
the statement 1T will constitute a ready
and fit agency for injecting into interna-
tional deliberations at opportune and
critical times consideration for human
rights, interests and welfare The realiza-
ton of an international alliance between
the labor movements Of all pan-American
countres will constitute genuine parlia-
ment of men, one of the highest purposes
toward which mankind has aspired."
Mr.. Gompers' Statement.
The statement, signed by President
Gompers, says:
"a purpose has long been in the
minds of many which has gradually
been taking form and seeking an OPP
portunity for concrete expression. Such
an opportunity has been born out Of
the strained relations that have re-
Gently existed between the United
States and Mexico and the great
anxiety aroused thereby in hearts and
minds of the workers of both coun-
tries. There has come at least one
result that is potential for the main
tenance of human rights and the es-
tablishment of principles of human
welfare in international relations.
Not New Thought.
This was not new thought for the
American Federation of Labor. Upon
several occasions the same idea had been
advanced. and in the proceedings OF the
1915 convention of the American Fedora
ton of Labor Endorsement was given to
a proposal for an organization that would
represent human rights and interests in
all pan-American countries. The neces-
sity for such labor federation has been
increasingly greater through efforts to
establish closer commercial and political
| relations between the countries included
in the Pan-American Union.
In the high commission which re-
countries for the purpose of promoting
better commercial and industrial rela-
tions. although there was no phase
in any of the relations between these
different countries that did not in some
way affect human interests and hu-
man welfare, there was no one on that
commission who distinctively repre-
sented human interests and the rights
and welfare of the masses of the peo-
pie.
Il have urged upon the United States
government that this serious omission
ought to be rectified. and l urge the
labor movements of all pan-American
countries to bring the same matter to
the attention of their respective gov
ernments. But such representation,
valuable. as it would be, is not sufficient
to protect and promote the rights and
welfare of the workers of all coun-
tries. A pan-American federation of
labor is not only possible. but is neces-
sary. 1t will constitute a ready and
fit agency for injecting into interna-
tional deliberations at opportune and
critical times consideration for human
rights, interests and welfare.
Action Approved.
I'm view of the Importance of this
purpose. 1t is most gratifying to find
that the representatives from the state
of Yucatan are to travel through the
countries of Central and South Amer
American federation of labor The
purpose of their mission has our most
sympathetic and hearty cooperation.
The realization of an international al
lance between the labor movements
of all pan-American countries will con-
stitute genuine parliament of men,
one of the highest purposes to which
mankind has aSpired.
TT is earnestly hoped that the repre-
sentatives of all organized workers in
pan-America will come into and con-
tinue correspondence with the under
signed"
Just as the situation between the
United States and Mexico was most
critical, there came to our country two
representatives of the government of
Yucatan. Mr.. Carlos Ioveirt, chief of
the department of labor, and Mr.. Bal
tazar Pages, editor of the Voice of the
Revolution, bringing an appeal to the
workingmen of our country to use their
influence in the interest of peace and
justice between our countries. At the
same time, in response to an invita-
ton from the American Federation Of
Labor, the organized labor movement
Washington for the purpose of hold
ing a conference Mr.. Luis N. Morones,
Mr.. s. Gonzalo Garcia and Mr.. Ed
mundo E. Martinez.
sonal representatives of the Mexican
government and information gained
from others in close contact with con-
ditions in Mexico, 1t became plain to
US that the revolution in Mexico rep
resented the cause of humanity and
democracy and that the constitutionalist
government represented a genuine eff
fort on the part of the MeXicans to es-
tablish institutions of freedom and
Justice The American Federation of
Labor made an appeal to the President
of the United States to recognize the
constitutionalist government OF Mexico
Policies in the Balance.
ct has since On several occasions.
when important decisions of national
policies affecting the United States
and Mexico were in balance. been the
instrumentality through which the de-
sires of the masses of the people have
been expressed, and further time and
opportunity afforded to Mexico for I'M
Outstanding our national attitude and
demonstrating good will and good
faith on her part.
because Of this historic relation it
was felt that conference between rep
Mexico and representatives of the
American Federation of Labor would be
a direct means by which the masses of
the people of both countries could
WELD an influence that would counter
act the influence of financial powers
and those who were willing to precipi-
foto ipterpatioua conflicts for their