The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1917-06-23
Labor Representation On Exemp-
tion Board Is Necessary"
Says Gompers
To The Central Labor Unions and Stat,
Federdttons of Labor:

" 'tc NtHfut I-uOOT CUiOUS ana , tate
FederdtionS of Labor:
Within very short time the boards
which shall have the administration of
the selective conscription will be ap
pointed. If the interests of the work
ers are to be maintained it is impera-
lively necessary that they should have
representatives on all boards that will
be authorized to decide upon all exemp-
ton claims from active military service.
1t can readily be seen that if there
are not men on these boards who have
personal knowledge of workers. prob
lens growing out of their relation to
industry there will be an infinite op-
portunity for injustice to be done work.
ers 1t is fundamental that we should
guard against opportunities for unjust
discrimination or favoritism in making
exemptions. This regulation would not
only protect the wage earners but would
enable the government to avoid cause
for ill-will resulting from a sense of in
justice. The good will of all citizens is
necessary for that cooperation which
will enable Our republic to conduct a
successful and effective war for free
dom and democracy
No one in touch with the present
situation imagines that the spirit of
greed has been completely eliminated
from the industrial and commercial
world. Though we regret it, we can
not blind ourselves to the fact that the
spirit of profiteering makes some en-
ployers willing to exploit workers and
the nations need even in this worlds
critical emergency. Firms in several To-
calities have asked for soldiers to pre-
vent workers trying, through legitimate
methods, to secure higher wages in or
der that their standards may not be low
cred through the constantly increasing
costs of living.
We know that such unprincipled, heart
less employers will not hesitate to make
use of conscriptive machinery to rid
themselves of undesirable" workmen
and thus give such employers free
hand to force uncomfortable conditions Of
work and pay.
1t is the desire of all good citizens
that in our efforts to fight war for JUS
tice abroad we shall not at the same
time impose injustice upon men and
women at home. In order to prevent
discrimination or favoritism and to
create in the minds of the masses of
citizens confidence that the government
desires to do justice to all, the organ
lied labor movement urges that repre-
sentatives of labor be upon all exemp
tion boards. This matter has been taken
up with officers charged with the ad
ministration of the selective conscrip-
ton law.
Every central organization of trade
unions is urged to take up this matter
at once with the local authorities and
present request for representation
together with names of suitable repre-
sentatives. Action must be taken at once
in order to be effective.
In addition organized labor ought to
Re represented on every local commit
tee or commission that has been estab-
1ished to cooperate with the national
agencies for defense. Wage earners
represent the masses of the people; their
ideas and their needs and interests ought
to be directly represented in all agencies
working for the defense of the republic.
Let me urge that this matter be taken
up by all local organizations so that the
workers will be in position to COOP
crate for the defense of our common
country and to feel a sense of confidence
that justice and freedom will be main
tanned in our own country and in the
common life of the people Be on
guard to maintain your rights and to
protect the interests of humanity within
your locality.
SAMUEL GoMPERs,
President A. F. of L.