The labor world., 1917-11-10
THE BUFFALO CONVENTION.

THE BUFFALO CONVENTION.
The first representative meeting of
organized labor since this country
was plunged into the great world
war will be held at Buffalo, N. Y,
beginning next Monday, when the
thirty-seventh annual convention Of
the American Federation of Labor
will convene.
The organized labor movement has
been passing-and is passing
through probably the most critical
and portentous period of it's devel-
opment. Its unwavering loyalty to
the government through thick and
thin has resulted in an unparalleled
expansion of trade union principles.
The agreements signed with the va
rious government agencies, together
with the gradual trend toward Fed
eral control of industry, presage that
the time is not far distant when uni
versal recognition will be given to
the just and reasonable demands of
the eight-hour day and a wage which
will permit of more than a mere ex-
istence.
Since the last convention of the
A. F. of l.. year ago, the executive
council of the organization has been
charged with: the momentous re-
sponsibility Of shaping the course
which the three million organized
workers would pursue, and the stand
to be taken on some of the gravest
questions which ever confronted any
nation. Since the manifesto of 10y
atty and fealty was promulgated on
March IL the pathway of the execu-
tive council has indeed been strewn
with problems requiring no mean de-
liberation and decision.
The work of the council has un-
doubtedly met with the approval of
the rank and file of the trades union
lists, to which the delegates to the
Buffalo convention are expected to
lend official Endorsement, although it
is not improbable that some friction
may develop which would affect some
of the avowed policies.
In addition to this there will be
such matters as the conscription of
labor which must be given considera-
ton. The significance of the COM
Ing meeting is cogently pointed out
by the following excerpt of the con-
vention call which was recently sent
out by the executive council:
1t is, of course, entirely unneces-
sary here to enumerate all the i'm
portant subjects with which our
forthcoming convention will concern
itself, hut the reminder is not at all
amiss that every effort must be made
to broaden the fled and means for
the organization of the yet unorgan-
lied workers, to strive to bring about
more effectually than ever a better
day in the lives and homes of the
toilers, to defend and maintain by
every honorable means ii, our power
the right to organize for our common
defense and advancement, for the ex-
erciSe of our normal and constit
mote the rights and interests of the
workers; and to assert at any risk the
freedom of speech and Of the praS:
and the equal rights before the l..
of every worker with every other citi-
zen; to aid our fellow-workers against
tie effort to entAngle tie workers in
the meshes of litigation before the
courts IN the several states: to arouse
our fellow-WCrkers and fellow-Citi-
zens to the danger which threatens
to curb or take away their guaran-
teed rights and -reedom; the tre-
1aendous world conflict now being
waged and into which our republic
was ruthlessly dragged: the mainten-
ance of decent standards Of life, work
and home in war .r in peace times;
to help bring about an early yet de.
slrable and permanent peace: how
that peace can be secured with the
establishment and maintenance oil
Justice, freedom, and brotherhood the
world over. These and other grea
Euuestions Of equal Importance will, o1
Enecess1ty, occupy the attention of the
EBuffalo convention