The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-11-23
On Dangerous Ground.


On Dangerous Ground.
when Hayes started TO say that tho
German Socialists were prevented by
the spirit Of established militarlsm
from making protest when Belgium
was invaded by Germany, President
Gompers warned him that he was
treading dangerous ground.
Andrew Furuseth. chairman Of the
committee which had reported unfav-
orablv on the resolution. tried to
check the rising excitement among the
radical delegates by offering substi-
tute resolution. This made no men
ton OF military training, but stated
that the Federation was opposed to
further increase in the standing army,
and insisted upon the constitutional
right OF all citizens. to carry arms,
despite the laws Of various states.
Furuseth indicated that he consid-
cred military training valuable to the
workers In case of strikes.
The children of the master class
Will be trained in the use of arms.
end YOU cannot help It." he said I'm
astonished at you revolutionary social
lists, that YOU want to strip the worker
of arms and deprive his children of
training In the use of arms
James Duncan vice president Of the
federation. Joined with Socialists and
others of the :adical element in de-
mandinF that the original resolution
be adopted. IIs said that the refusal
OF the san Francisco convention last
year 10 adopt such an expression of
protest hHd made him go home heart
broken"
Women delegates from New York
city ana the Middle West joined in the
fire Of denunciation Of military drill
for school boys A dimunitiyo and
youthful delegates from tho Ladies
Garment Workers-Sarah shapiro
mounted the platform and delivered a
fiery speech ION behalf OF the mothers
and wives in the slums. and tho chill
dren who cannot come here to speak
Tor Themselves"
An attempt to get the whole matter
sent 10 q special committee was the
text FOR further speeches. President
Procbstie, OF the Brewery Workers
father of seven children. begged that
the labor movement protest against
making brrtes Of the children befor,
,hey come Of age
/ Paul Scharrenberg. of the Seamen
| ridiouled tho yellow peril" as jus
tircation of military training. and said
that Australian wcrkmsn had beer
| iooieu py INV eAiuo @FBuH'ut, ohAy u
regret IT,
He vigorously denied. A. q former
| German school boy that even. IN Ger
many the school children were laugh,
the use OF arms, As was contemplated
! here by the War Department.
! Except for the chairman and sec
Rotary OF tho committee. no one de-
Tended the unfavorabis report on the
{ resolution, and after the motion to re-
fer the whole subject to a special COM
! mittes had been defeated. the dele
gates rejected tho committees report
and endorsed the painters proposal.
! To Probe "Prepnrcdne~s."
Following upon the settlement OF
this test of strength. the convention
adopted unanimously a proposal that
a special committee be named to re-
/ port on all other phases of the "pre-
/ paredness' =, and "militarist" situation
william Green. OF the United Mine
Workers was named as chairman oil
This committee.
The convention spent the remainder
OF the day on jurisdictional claims
The United Hatters we're awarded the
making Of womsn's straw and felt
hats as against the cloth hat and car
makers The brewery workers were
given control OF the bottlers of soft
drinks. The dispute In New York city
between the bridge and structural
( iron workers and the carpenters, as te
dock piling. was determined In favor
OF the carpenters. The former were
instructed TO revoke the charter o.
their local 1T IN New York city oil
have their own charter suspended By
April ], 1917
Tag Day Tuesday.
Thanksgiving offering for the bene.
At of the Fulton Day Nursery, con.
Quoted by tho Fulton Social Service