Denver labor bulletin., 1917-09-15
STAND SOLIDLY BEHIND
THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT.
Preservation of Democracy Is the
Overshadowing Issue, as 200
Delegates Proclaim Fealty
TO Wilson and Resolve
to Stamp Out All
the Traitors.


lance for Labor and Democracy, held
in Minneapolis last week with 200 del
cgates representing organized labor
and leading Socialists who have de
clared for America against the pro
German element Of that party. pro
claimed 10 the world that the virile
labor forces Of this country are stand
ing solidly with President Wilson
against the imperial German govern
mcut
Each delegate present signed
pledge 20 stand while the war lasts.
loyalty and faithfully behind the
United States government. Speakers
ridiculcd the protensions Of the Peo-
pies Peace Council and branded this
organization as an aid 90 the kaiser
President Wilson, who has given the
Alliance Of Labor and Democracy his
approval, sent q letter 10 Mr.. Gompers
expressing faith in the patriotism Of
American men and women Of labor.
Gompers Heads Alliance
The alliance. composed Of the ma
tion's labor leaders and having as its
double purpose the crushing Of dis
loyalty and the solidifying Of labor in
the war for democracy. elected as its
leader. Samuel Gompcrs, president Of
the American Federation Of Labor.
ne outstanding HEhNlsiullH ltl Ailt
declaration OF principles include;
Suppression Of disloyalists and pro
German propagandists-
Solidhcation of labor behind the
government.
Conscription Of wealth as well as Of
men.
Heavy taxes on incomes. excess
profits and land values.
Government control Of Industries in
e. 1al ~.
Action against speculative interests
which enhance prices of necessaries
of life
Insurance for soldiers and sailors.
Equal suffrage.
Endorsement Of President Wilson's
decision not to permit the war to be
made an excuse for lowering labor
standards.
Declaration that age-earners must
have a voice in determining conditions
under which they give service, must be
represented in councils conducting the
war and at peace negotiations.
"The ovcrshadowing issue" the dec
laration says. "is preservation of dem
ocracy. Either democracy will endure
and men will be free or autocracy will
triumph and the race viii be cnslavcd. |
To compromise now would be to sow
seed for bloodier war"
10 Ala the New huSSla-
A committee was appointed to cx-
tend aid and encouragement TO new |
Russia. II is composed of Mr. Com |
pers, Frank =. Walsh. John Spargo, |
former member of the executive com
mittec Of the Socialist party, and |
James Duncan and Charles Edward |
Russell. the latter two members of the |
American mission to Russia.
81 am unable to say now whether |
the committee will go TO Russia" said |
Mr. Gompcrs
Mr.. Gompers was elected president !
of the alliance amid an outburst of
applause.
Il am profoundly responsive to the |
honor md opportunity" he said with |
some feeling. "My whole life has been |
consecrated to being of service to my |
fellowmcn. have no aspirations for |
ANYTHING on earth or above than to |
continue this service. You have CON
scripted me and am on duty"
Ninety Days to Crush Disloyalty.
The RED. White and Blue" special
departed from Minneapolis for the |
East shortly after the conference |
closed, following n big mass meeting |
Literature was distributed along the |
way urging immediate establishment |
of such alliance bureaus in every town |
and hamlet in the country.
at is n big movement" was the |
parting word of delegates. "In ninety |
days American labor will have crushed |
the disloyalists and will have a clear
field in its noble battle for humanity" |
The declaration of principles of the |
alliance in part follows:
eve strongly denouncc the words |
and actions of those enemies of the |
republic who. falsely assuming to |
speak in the name of labor and democ-
racv. are striving to obstruct the op-
erations of the government.
Attempts to Incitc Sedition.
"In misrcpresenting the govern |
ment's purposes, in traducing the char |
actcr of the president and of his ad-
visers. in stealthily attempting to in
cite sedition and in openly or implicitly |