Denver labor bulletin., 1916-07-22
Issues Letter to Workers
of All Americas
VIII Constitute a Ready Agency
for Injecting Into International
Deliberations at 0pportune
Times a Consideration
for Human Rights

Declaring that n Pan American Fedcr-
alton of Labor is not only a possibility
but real necessity, President Samuel
Gompers of the American Federation OF
Labor has issued letter addressed TO
the owrkers Of all American countries
dealing with this important question
These Developments have grown out OF
the part organized labor has played In
hvcrting war with Mexico, as published
IN the two preceding issues Of The Bull
lletin. II is a matter TO arouse interest
Of the workers everywhere.
The Bulletin has been furnished with
copy OF the letter being sent out by
President Gompcrs, and il is herewith
published in full, a. follows:
Letter Issued by Gompers.
Washington, D. C, July c, 1916.
To the Workers Of All American
Countries;
A purpose has long been in the minds
Of many which has gradually been TAX
ing form and seeking an opportunity for
concrete expression. Such an opPortu-
nifty has been born out OF she strained
relations that have recently existed be-
tween the United States and Mexico and
the great anxiety aroused thereby in the
hearts and minds OF the workers Of
both countries. There has come at least
one result that is potential for the main
tcnancc of human rights and the sstab-
lishmcnt Of principles of human welfare
in international relations.
just as the situation between the
United States and Mexico WAS most crit
. ioal there came TO our country two rep
rczentativcs of the government of Yu-
catan. Mr.. Carlos Loycira. chief Of the
prrartrncnt OF Labor, and Mr.. Baltazar
Pages. editor of the Voice OF the Reyolu
ton. bringing an appeal to the working
men of our country TO use their influ-
cnor in the interest Of peace and justice
between our countries. At the same
time in response to an invitation from
the American Federation OF Labor. the
organized labor movement of Mexico
-~nt as representatives. 10 Washington for
the purpose of holding n conference Mr..
Luis n. Moroncs, Mr.. S. GonEalo Garcia
and Mr.. Edmundo T. Martinez.
Humanity and Democracy.
During the recent past. thru personal
representatives Of the Mexican govern.
ment and information gained fem 9th
crs in close contac: with conditions In
Mexico, IL became plain TO MS that the
revolution in Mexico represented the
cause Of humanity and democracy, and
that the Constitutionalist government
reprc~onted a genuine effort ON the part
of the Mexicans TO establish institutions
of freedom and Justice. The American
Federation of Labor made an appeal TO
the President OF the United States TO
recognize the Constitutionalist govern
ment of Mexico.
IL has since on several occasions, when
important decisions of national policies
affecting the United States and Mexico
were in balance, been the instrumental
ity thru which the desires of the masses
OF the people have been expressed, and
further time and opportunity afforded
20 Mexico for understanding our ma.
tional attitude and demonstrating good
will and good faith on her part.
because Of this historic relation IL was
felt that conference between repre-.
scntativcs of the labor movement of
Mexico and representatives of the Amer
lean Federation of Labor would be di-
rect means by which the masses OF the
people of both countries could WELD an
influence that would counteract the i'm
flucncc of financial powers and those
who were willing TO prccipitatc intcrna-
tional conflicts for their own aggran-
dizemcnt.
Pan-Ameriean Federation.
AT this conference held in Washing
ton between tho representatives oI ''c
Mexican labor movement and the Exec.
utiyc Council of the American Federation
of Labor declaration was signed by all
partics to the conference. This declarn'
alton, in addition to provisions which
concerned immediate relations between
our two countries. provided for future
conferences between representatives OF
both coutnrics. and declared in favor
Of efforts to establish Pan-Amcrican
Federation of Labor
This was not n now Thought Tor the
American Federation of Labor. Upon
several occasions the same idea had been
advanced. and in the proceedings OF the
1915 convention Of the American Fcdcr-
alton of Labor cndorscmcnt was given to
a proposal for nm organization that
would represent human rights and inter
csta in nil Pan American countries. Tho
necessity for such a labor federation has
bccn made increasingly greater thru CT.
forts TO establish closer commercial and