The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1916-01-28

Capacity - Statesmen Must Recog-
nize the Significance and the Power
OF the Organized Labor Movement.
[By SAMUEL GOMPERS. president OF
American Federation of Laborl
Before the outbreak of the war we
had talked much of the ideals OF
peace, fraternity and national inter-
dependence, but we made no provision
for the establishment of agencies to
perform the function of war-which Is
organized force. War came. Democra-
cy with It's free institutions and It's
humanitarian ideals was confronted
with a fight for existence. War is a
test Of physical fitness and of the or
ganization of material resources. The
nation that has failed In these will
pay dearly In the perils of war But
these qualities whose value is demon
strated by the ineXorable demands Of
war are equally essential to most effec-
tual progress and best development
during times of peace.
In the affairs of the nations there
stands out one dominating fact-the
existence ana the power of organiZa-
tions of wage earners. Long Ignored,
prosecuted and outlawed, these organ
izations have proved themselves an
essential constructive factor in human
affairs Private industry and com
merce have generally remained out
side governmental jurisdiction. They
constitute the domain Of voluntary ac-
tiyity and voluntary Institutions For
the protection and the betterment of
human beings engaged in industry or
commerce labor organizations were de
veloped. The workers have made la
Dor organizations a constituent ele-
ment in the organization of production
and therefore a part of organized So
ciety.
Labor organizations are the channel
for the expression OF the desires and
purposes of the wage earners. They
are the instrumentalities for making
effective their demands for justice.
Whether in peace or war the wage
earners are a constituent element in
: the -nation, frumerically~s and ere.
atively essential Therefore a nation
al policy, whether industrial or politi
cal, that does not take into account the
welfare Of the wage earners will fail
short of concepts of broadest states
manship. Not only must the wage
earners be considered in determining
policies, but in the council that deter
mines policies they must be given rep
resentation and voice equal to theil
Importance IL national life.
The wage earners win not longer be
denied their right to participation in
determining those things which affect
their welfare Their demand Is in ac
cord with the principles upon which
our republic is founded. They are un
willing to delegate to others the deter
mination of their lives.
Now that our nation is giving though
to the problems Of preparedness the
wage earners present their claim t
consultation and participation. No true
plan for preparedness can fail to in
clude service for them. Therefore they
demand that the plans shall be democ
ratized.
Not only Is this demand just, bu
that wage earners can give valuable
advice and service to the nation in thii
capacity Is evident from their achieve
ments. And their experience and opin
ions are needed in considering nationa
preparedness. No part of our citizen
ship is more unalterably opposed t.
ideals of militarism and compulsiol
than are the members of the trade un
ion movement. If provisions for ma
tional preparedness are to be construc
tive they must escape the perils o
militarism and autocracy; they mus
be based upon voluntary and demo
cratic principles
Essential to any plan for human an
national conservation are physical I'll
ness, power and ability for self proteC
ton and the attitude Of mind insisten
upon rights and justice. The trad
union movement has done more for tn
maintenance of these qualities tha
any other force Trade unionists Wi
carry these qualities into places 0
formal responsibility to the nation.
If our nation is to keep its plac
among the leaders of the world 1t
statesmen must recognize the signif
cance and the power Of the labo
movement, which represents the ideal
of the masses of men, women and chi
dren. Wherever it has established i
self it has brought with it ideals {
humanity-ideals that make stron
appeal to heart and mind. There is
human side to every relation of soci'
ty. The trade union movement is th
one institution that represents distin
lively the human element and huma
welfare Therefore spokesman for |;
Dor ought to be in every commission
committee or representative body thu
is intrusted with consideration of prol
lens and determination of policies.
The workers are quite willing to bef
the full share Of their responsibility
any issue. They are ready to give SER
ice, whatever might betide, but In th
day of the workers realization of the
citizenship and sovereignty they al
insistent in the demand that they hay
the fullest opportunity of ADVICE ar
consent In the councils of sll the q
fairs OF our nation