The Washington times., 1917-09-17
GOMPERS WARNS
Of POWER ABUSE
BEFORE WORKERS


upward of a hundred delegates from
various unions OF Federal employees,
assembled here for the organization
/ OF a national body, by President Com.
pers, of the American Federation OF
Labor.
President Gompers said that the or
ganization would be a great force for
betterment, but that this force would
| have to be wisely used, or the or
Eanization would be tumbled down
just as the great military power OF
Prussia would be tumbled down, and
as the Car was tumbled from his
throne.
Speakers mt First Session.
Speeches by Mr.. Gompers, by Vice
President James O'Connell, and Secre-
ary Morrison, Of the Federation, by
Miss Jeeannette Rankin, member OF
Congress, John Deviny, Of the Plate
Printers Union, and Thomas F. Fla
| hert, Of the Postoffice clerks, took
up all OF the hrst session.
Vice President O'Connsll told the
delegates that in organization lies
their only salvation in obtaining the
betterments for which Government
employees had individually stood. He
declared the greatest difficulty is in
educating new Congressman and new
heads that come into the depart
ments every four years.
'"The American Federation OF Labor
has already done much for you," he
said. at has in the last few years
made Congress good and has turned
the moth-eaten Senate into a real live
body"
Local Union Luncheon Hosts.
At o'clock delegates to the con-
ventIon assembled at the Library Of
Congress for luncheon as guests of
the Local Union OF Federal Employees.
They will meet again at 3 o'clock in
the executive council room at the
American Federation Of Labor build
ing, Ninth street and Massachusetts
avenue northwest.
President Gompers called the con-
vention to order this morning. He
outlined the rapid spread in the last
few years of the movement for =
union OF Federal employees.
This is the first time in history"
he said. that sincere EFFORT has been
made to organize q real uunion OF
Federal employees. I am not here to
made to organize q real union OF Fed
eral employees. am not here to make
| adverse criticism of other efforts at or
garfization, for they have been efforts
thing, for Government workers. This
is to be an organization OF, for, and
by the Federal employees.
Sounds warninE.
Let me say this word of warning.
To have power is one thing. But to
use this power for the beneft OF all
OF your members is another. Be wise
in YOUR exercise or the power that
will come to you through organiEa-
tion.
Is found in the situation in which
the world finds itself today. TIE
great and powerful military machine
of the Germans undertook to exercise
the full measure OF its power. The
entire civilized world was threatened.
Wanton exercise Of this great power
stirred an opposition that will over
come and overthrow It. Such exer-
else OF great power brings even
greater opposition.
Always have yourselves well in
hand. Keep a check on your reserve
pO"GIs NhAb eOh Ahay use ~ ia Se1o "a
extraordinary need. Do good work.
Render faithful service. Be true to
yourselves and true to the mass of
workers whom you represent. and
true to the fundamental principles OF
the republic and the principles OF the
American labor movement. They are
synonymous terms.
Troubles to BE Faced.
fsTha fratrh1Aa - accumulation
such as yours are many. You must
have the confidence OF those with
whom you work. You must win the
confidence OF the Thousands whom you
are seeking to aid and beneht. and
remove any suspicion OF your motives.
You must play fair"
At this point President Gompers
drew a parallel from the Russian sit
uation. He said that It would be
necessary for many there to give up
their highest hopes and to yield
somewhat of their hrm convictions
Those who criticiBs Russia today,
he said, forget the early days Of this
Republic, and the slow evolution Of
the Federal authority.
Unless you start right" he
warned, unless you proceed along
the right road, unless you have q
firm basis for your organization, un-
less you commence to grow, II would
be better that you shake hands now
and 60 home"
Republic Dear to Labor.
President Gompsrs sketched briefly
the growth OF the American Fedora
ton Of Labor, and told Of the orEani-
zations that were Joining the fold.
1--WE are not organized to over
throw this republic" he said.
"It is too dear to US. We are doing
everything in our power to help the
Government in this time OF stress.
We serve wherever we may, but at
the same time we insist that the
standards of American life be main
tAIned, and that no unnecessary hard
ships be endured by the workers Of
the country. None do greater serv-
ice to our country than the working
people"
MOVING, PACKING, STORAGE
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