New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-22
Gompers Leads Sign
ers to First Appeal
for Union Votes
lAIJD PRESIDENT
FOR ALL POLICIES
declare He Has Gained
War Benefits for Nation
Without War

W,shineton, Oct. 2i.-Organi5ed
.Aors first official appeal 70 its men,
/ s.r.hip in behalf Of President Wilson's
,.ssetion was made public to-day at
a. American Federation Of Labor
,..souarters. It is in the form Of
,i,,plar letter to all officers of organ
,.d labor, calling on them to hold spe-
a.l meetings if necessary TO consider
"A, issues Of the campaign and see to
!, that wage esrners 90 10 the polls to
,,o,sct their interests against "Wall
Street"
The letter S signed by Samuel Com
ar. president; James 0'Connell, vice
we.ident. and Frank Morrison, secre-
av as the federation's labor repre-
,.n,s,ion committee, and it has been
.,s; 70 the heads of all affiliated or
yrizations. In reviewing the record
n the administration it praises the
Presidents course in foreign affairs,
s.ssrinr that without war he has Sc
..-rS all the protection and benefits
i,, would have accrued from sue
,,,sfuj war. and asserts that at home
as labor movement "has been able to
seore recognition for the rights of
,,rsn be;ngg and opportunity for all
. participate in the affairs of the ma
e,. in decree that never before has
bs.r accomplished.
The Appeal TO Labor
Following is the letter, in part;
sCrse.iag. Never at any time within
he las, fifty years have the workers
Asd more al stake in any political cam
,sigr than in the one that is to be de-
assd IN the election November 7.
aDuring the present Administration,
"a particularly in this campaign,
here has been developed a clear-cut
issue between the workers-the pro-
tvcers-snd those who manipulate the
rducts Of the labor Of others-the
sIpIoi;ers. The issue is represented
n the campaign by the conflicting in
,rssrs eyrasented by labor and Wall
Street
during the present Administration
as organized labor movement has been
tie 70 secure recognition for the
sgh,s Of human beings and opportuni-
y for all 20 participate in the affairs
oi the nation in q degree that has
Lever before been accomplished
the dignity Of human life and the
'llse Of the cooperation OF those
Vhose WORK is necessary 70 the proc
asss Of industry and commerce have
hssa given an important place in con-
ndering all problems that concern the
sa.ion. This recognition has taken the
!'rn Of leg lation necessary 20 protect
as interest," of wage-earners and in
ne ideals Of humanity that have guild
e and directed national politics, both
u home and in our relations with
t;asr nation
War Benefits without War.
though half of the world has been
nyolved in a terrific conflict and IT
nsred a. times as though our nation
avs. be drawn into the vortex OF
asnsn slaughter, yet the Chief Execu-
I'VE Of our land has been able 70 man
ise the affairs Of the nation and the
Htrests Of our citizens so that with
y. the horrors OF war he has estao-
hhsd and maintained protection OF
,snsn life ard human rights IN the
.snsxhst vague domain OF interna-
Nrsl law.
| Without involving this nation in
var, he has secured for Us all Of the
re.ection and all Of the benefits that
ssr.d have accrued from a successful
exrnAtional war, and by diplomatic
H srsspondence has achieved the VIC
\ Nr7 o. smbodying concepts Of human
y IN International activity. at least
A 70 far a. America - concerned.
What has been true In the case OF
y European war 10 also true In the
ns with the relations between our
"s,iry and Mexico.
The interests that have been seek
NO plunge our country into war not
~ with European countries but also
w Mexico are the interests that are
'sr.ssnied by the most selfish and
~ eonscienoeless element Of Wall
.s.et.
Sees Labor Recognized
V far a. The internal affairs Of our
ssntry are concerned, the organized
~ Movement, az the authorized rep
sstHtiy. Of the wage esrners, has
landed for them the right Of par
a,siien IN all the affairs of the ma
and has secured recognition OF
49, 80 asmand % a degree never before
Osring tho last four years there has
enaeted b1 COn9rsss and signed
Lresieent Wilson humanitarian pro
s.s legislation unprecedented In
..s and scope. Legislative enact
ss hss sseured % wage earners fun
Il stnl rghts uecesssry for The very
ID e,set of The organizations Of labor,
ii 49, which wage Gamers would have
b e.xtnr sf freedom and no real oppOr-
IA ~ Tor sslf-betterment"
3 - nsntiOning the eight-hour day
ns Stsmsnis law and the child
=. eS, the letter adds:
- Impossible " give the full let
n'fial and protective legislation
"A an ~ bensfeent influences
& 'of milllonl Of Americas
3 p can only refer 70 that
,ie tpirt Of the nation that
a., nsss iconstgDeBcs than statutory
'1sas /txith brosdsr appreciation
re- :. rage q ''i'''A ,