Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1916-11-13
HOW U. S.-MEMCAN
LABOR CO0pERATES
A. FL. Report Makes A State
ment To That Effect.
(Ry International News sevice)

10y international News SerVice)
Baltimore, Nd, Nov. 13-What an
important part the organized labor +
movements in Mexico and the Unit I
ed States have had in preventing War
between the TWO nations was shown F
at length today. when the executive /
council made its report here to the +
thirty,sixth annual convention of the
American Federation, of Labor.
The union labor movement in Mex /
leo started only with the presidency /
of francisco Madero, says the report f
but already it has made almost in.
credible strides.
On, Sept -, 1915, the executive |
council asked President Wilson to
recognize the Carranza government. +
on October g, following. this was
DONE
Samuel Gompers. president Of the
Federation, kept in touch with the
representatives of the labor move
ment in the neighborins republic
throughout the winter of 1856 In
the spring war between the TWO ma
tons seemed imminent on May %
1916, Mr. Gompers sent a message
to the Mexican labor leaders inviting
them to joint conference that they
might carry back to their constitu-
ents to the real sentiment of the
people of both nations and enable
them to know the elements and con
ditions attempting to drive both
countries into war"
Five Mexican leaders arrived IN
Washington in June While the labor
conference was sitting came The Car
rial incident Mr. Gompers sent
telegram to General Carranza implor
ing him in the name of common jus.
tice and humanity, in the interest. OF e.
a better understanding between the
peoples and governments Of the Unit
ed States and Mexico. for the pur-
pose of giving the opportunity to
maintain peace and avoid the hor-
rors Of war, upon the grounds of
highest patriotism and love" 10 re-
lease the American soldiers taken
prisoner in the Carrizal fight
That same evening the newspaper
announced Carranza had released the
soldiers.
As result of the labor conference
joint compact was signed. by which /
the union laborers of Mexico and the
the United States agreed to do all
possible to prevent war between the /
two nations and to advance their
many common interests.
The compact further urged the APP /
pointment of a joint commission to
consider International differences.
This plan was actually carried out
in the Atlantic City conference.
Later in the summer three repre- 7
sentatives Of one Of tie principal
Mexican labor declarations. the FEEDER
alton de Sindicatos Obreros de la
Republic MeXieana, came to Wash.
ington to ask Mr.. Gompers advice
on various matters. When they re-
turned they carried a formal mes
sage to the members of their organi-
cation, in which Mr. Gompers ouflfn-
ed some OF The things the MeXcans
should keep in mind in Organizing
their industrial workers and suggest
ed a Mexican Federation OF Labor
somewhat after the plan of the A. z.
of l.
The representatives Of the Mexi-
can Federation presented TO the
American Federation gold medal
inscribed ITO the American Fedora
ton Of Labor As loving token
from the Mexican WorMnemen 10 The ,
Workers of America
The executive council adds:
There is an identity of interest
between the property holders and
employers of both countries. The df-
teen millions of MeMcans amone
whom law standards of living and 7
work, low wages and long hours
have prevailed have constituted
real barrier toward progress and bet
terment among the workers in this {
country. This is TRUE not only alone I
the border line bur its influence is E
felt even among the central states u
There are now thousands OF Mexican
workers in the cities along fBe Dor Y
der lines and in the mining regions
of the west and in some Of tile east
ern states In Los Angeles alone
there is Mexican population Of
about fifteen thousand There are