The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-01-23
STRIKE, GOMPERS
TELLS 10000 GIRLS
Advises Shirt Waist Workers
to Be Ready to Walk Out
and Force Demands.
ESCAPE SLAVERY. HE SAYS

President Samuel Gompers Of the
American Federation Of Labor in an ad-
dress yesterday in the ~Seventy-frst Regi-
ment Armory. Thirty-fourth street and
Park avenue told $4,000 girls who work
In shirt waist factories to he prepared
to act at a moments notice with about
$4,000 other girls and start a genera,
strike in the event Of the refusal Of their
demands.
strike strike strike 80 shouted Com
pers. That Ia your only weapon In case
our demands are refused at the hnal
conference next week. You will not have
your demands handed to you On a silver
platter unless you do something for your
selves.
The last time I addressed o In
Madison Square Garden you mad such
a great impression upon me that Il vii
always live in my memory. Al that
time ! told YOU that you were not enter
ing upon a general strike, but an indus
trial evolution In our trade
I'm many instances you have per
mitted the worst conditions to be i'm
posed upon YOU. II o are true TO your
selves the employers will lend Willing
attention TO your demands.
Are the people OF New York read,
to hear again of a Triangle massacre
shall we have no social conscience? II
there no responsibility resting upon us
I am proud to echo the sentiments OF
the two other speakers IN want san
Just demands OF labor to be achieved
by peaceful means, but will stand fol
rght. for justice and humanity and are
opposed to peace at any price.
III We cannot prevail on the employ
ers to yield. then | echo the sentiment
Of strike, strike! strike with all you
might
II have been on strike many a tint
myself. hut always urged peace II peac,
could he maintained with honor. Sc,
that the highest possible standards arr
secured. II there is no other al,erna
tive strike and strike hard. Trying q
avoid strikes and conflicts IL one thing
hut there IL something worse and that Il
degradation and human slavery. I'm
less YOU show Willingness to make
stand for your own rights and Interest,"
no one else viii attend TO II.
IF an industry cannot paw Twin,
wages tne SptieT tndt lHuustfN XIV
down altogether the better.
Il hope that the amended protocol a
proposed by your union will find accept
ance. hut YOU must he ready for i'm
mediate action in case II Is not. Wher
ever | can he Of service and whereye
the American Federation OF Labor cal
he of service. all OF us are at your com
mand'
Manager solomon Follokof OF tn
Ladies Waist and Dressmakers Union
Local %. said W demand more fir
escapes. There il a great certainty o
a general strike. Re ready for the ca
Of the union We are ready for final &C
ton" Others also made addresses.
II was announced that the main de
mands Of the shirt waist max
ers are for 4 for,y-eight hou
working week. n IS per cent. in
crease In wages. amendments n
the present methods Of testing workers
more protection for the workers. a bet
ter system OF settling prices, better Ar
protection. examinations OF the work
crs by physicians and better sanitation
The following resolution was adopte
AZ the meeting
"Resoircd. That the only kind G
peace acceptable TO Us IL based upo
honor and a O p appreciation ~ Oh
rights, otherwise We empower our off
GERS to call a general strike"