The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1917-04-27

tolerance and forbearance on the
part of both employers and en-
ployees in the making and mainte-
nance of working conditions. There
cannot be the highest standard of
efficiency necessary to high produc-
tivity unless labor feels a sense of
Justice in its relation with capital.
We therefore urge that employers
and employees in presenting
changes in working conditions en-
ploy to it's fullest extent the medi-
um of negotiation. With the exten-
sive machinery of conciliation and
mediation of both state and nation
subject to the call of either side, we
cannot but feel that a sense of fair
ness exercised by both sides may
entirely prevent any rupture OF in
dustrial relations. We urge the full
recognition of Labor in all the coun
ellis of war preparation and nation
al defense and in the working out
of all the manifold problems war
will entail.
5. We are unalterably opposed to
the conscription of men for military
or industrial reserve service. 1t is
in violation of the ideals of Amer
icanism for a century past. The
period during the civil war when
the government attempted the draft
was marked by rioting, bloodshed
and Imprisonment of men who re-
fused conscription. President Lin
coin resorted to the draft as last
extremity, while publicly condemn
ing the principle of compulsory
military service. The stigma and
ignominy of the draft follows the
conscript throuohout his life, brand
ing him before his fellow men as
lacking in patriotism, when many
reasons other than lack of patriot
ism prevented his voluntary enlist
ment. We are confident that not
lack of patriotism but haunting
vision of suffering dependents at
home, if they, the breadwinners, are
called away to war, is the prime
reason for the hesitancy in enlist
ment and we again lay stress upon
the duty of the government to ade-
quately provide for the sustenance
of the dependents of all men who
enlist. A strong navy and adequate
coast defenses render the United
States reasonably secure from in
vasion. At the very beginning of
our participation in the world war;
with the chance that we will ever
send a large expeditionary force to
the front remote; with a hundred
million people from which to recruit
a volunteer force; the attempt to
enforce military conscription can be
only looked upon with stern disfa-
vor and the suspicion that there are
forces at work that would foist mil
itarism upon this country, a condi-
ton which we are avowedly taking
up arms to stamp out in Europe.
In war for humanity, waged to
further the cause of democracy
throughout the earth, it seems in
conceivable that we should declare
for democracy in one breath and
force form of slavery upon the
American people in the next. We
are opposed to the suggestion that
United States troops be sent to Eu-
, rope. America can best assist in
, this struggle by stimulating produc-
! tiveness in all lines of endeavor al
; home and by guarding the avenues
: of attack upon American shores anC
: American industries.
, 6.sWe urge upon all our people
1 spirit of tolerance and forbear
2 ance toward those of foreign birtl
= or ancestry within our borders. W.
t believe that those who would con
1 spire against our government, O
: whatever nationality, should be Sc
verely dealt with, but call attention
: to the fact that the great majorit.
e of those of foreign birth within ou
t country are home loving, law abid
n ing and God fearing, loyal to tn
n country of their adoption, to it
S flag and it's institutions. Let u
: never forget that we are fightin
t., autocratic institutions but have n
d quarrel with the people of any ma
X ton because of their accident G
: birth. Let us not lose our perspet
8. tive nor allow the war tide to fC
If ment a spirit of race hatred and il
r tolerance.
v 7. We are unalterably oppose
l. to the organization of military
semi-military bodies, ostensibly wit
We patriotic motives but in realit
L