The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-11-24
Head of Vast Organization of
Workers Tells of Good AC-
GGmpIiShed.
RALLIED TO PATRIOTIC DUTY
With War Incentive, Cooperation Be-
tween Employers and Employees
Has Become More Marked
NE Fair Principles Now Uni
M yersally Established.
BY SAMUEL eoMPERs.


than two and half millions, by the
great extension of Industrial activities
|in9which union scales and conditions
are obligatory, by the governments
ever-increasing recognition of organ
Lied labor, or by the degree Of soli-
darby.
X 1t is no exaggeration to say there
never has been in all labor history
such a rapid extension of the princi-
Piles and practices of industrial demo-
cracy as since the United States was
forced to enter the world conflict.
And, mark this point-in every case
this extension has been made not to
impede the nations war preparations
but to accelerate them by promoting
cooperation between employers and
labor. The initiative in this extension
of democracy to industry has been TAX
en- by organized labor, but it's wisdom
hassin every instance appealed to fed
eral officials.
In four great branches-shipbuil
ing, cantonment construction, mercan-
tile marine and longshore work
agreements have been perfected be-
tween the government the employers
and labor to safeguard even the I'M
organized men. These agreements
have government sanction because Of
an eyer-growing realization of the nee
eSsity not only for industrial stability,
but for a proper standard of living as
the basis for efficiency.
Already the Pight-hour lawAfor gov
eminent contracts has greatly ex-
tended the eight-hour day, for In many
branches there is hardly a firm not
working on government contract.
Although many establishments are
now working nine or ten hours, the
basic eight-hour day is in effect and
the payment of time and half for
overtime beyond eight hours is a suffi-
Client check on the employment of men
more than eight hours, except In cases
of genuine emergency such as the pres
ent.
IasEediet the wars end will find the
| eight 1j66E1r day practically universal in
American industry. as the result not of
any Spectacular general strike" but
of the recognition, at the insistance Of
organized labor, that in the long run
more and better work can be produced
/ in eight hours than in any longer pc
Rod.
There is a rapidly growing recogni-
ton that workers are the true basis of
national strength. If labor's hand is
not strong, skillful and willing not a
ship will sail, not gun will roar.
Through this recognition labor will as
sumo new status in the nations
councils.
Some Of our American "bolshevikl"
of the Socialist party, of the. so-called
Peoples council and other similar IT.
responsibles, undertook campaign to
swerve American labor from the
standard of loyalty to self and coun-
try.
Their futile efforts have only dem
onstrated that among all the millions
of American workers there were only
handful mean or silly enough to join
the traitorous plan.
1t cannot too often be emphasized
that American workingmen are con-
cerned In this great struggle not only
as Americans, but as workers. They
must help destroy Hohenzollernism, not
only because 1t menaced America and
democracy, but because the workers
more than any other class stand to
suffer by the triumph of Prussianism.
TO the capitalist it need matter lit
tie In what country he lives, his
wealth exalts him above the laws and
political government of any country.
With the worker the existence Of @
military absolutism is of daily con-
Germ. Whether he is the slave of the
state, as In Prussia, or whether the
state Is his servant, determines his
whole existence. Therefore labor has
modified for an early and lasting
peace.
1t must be recognized, however, that
labor's answering loyalty is not MAIN
tained without sacrifice. Not only
have the men Of labor gone forth as
soldiers, not only have they redoubled
their efforts in mine and factory, but
at the same time they have had to see
| their families suffer through price In
creases far beyond any increase In
their earnings. Already the standard
! of living has been reduced far below
what Is necessary to maintain their
energy unimpaired. All this labor has
borne with wonderful patience.
The toilers Of America are willing to
| make sacrifices, but they must be sac
rifices for the republic and not for pri-
vate profit.
Labor is with the government In this
! war because we know the government
is with labor to a degree surprising
any other administration. We be-
lieva, aye we know, that the wise,
good-hearted man in the White House
will not endure abuses, but will de-
scend upon the war profiteers and put
an end to their pernicious practices.
Send Us yosr iss prinssns.
Wa do job printing 1t fair prtess.