Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1917-11-15
LABOR HAS
PROGRAM OF
WORLD REFORM

III VI VVI1O NOVSA101ll Ill
Guiding American Demo.
cratic Ideals.
Buffalo, N. Y, Nov. 12.-Demand
for adequate and direct" represen
tation of wage earners at the world
Peace conference is made in the an.
nual report of the executive council
Of the American Federation of La
Dor, submitted today to the Fedora.
tion in convention here. The report
declares that the world war must
wipe out all vestiges of the old con-
ceit that the nation belongs to the
ruler"
Questions raised by the war occu-
| py virtually the entire report. No
room is left for doubt that the
United States government has the
unanimous support of organized Ia
Dor in the war, and 1t is asserted
with equal emphasis that the vital
interests of the average citizen de-
mand that he have voice in the re-
adjustments to come w4.-. the dawn
| of peace.
The report states, in part:
Eve urge the adoption of the fol-
lowing declarations as the basis up
on which peace must be negotiated:
II. The combination Of the free
peoples of the world in common
covenant for genuine and practical
cooperation to secure justice and
therefore peace in relations between
nations.
"2. Governments derive their
just power from the consent of the
governed.
"3. No political or economic re-
strictions meant to benefit some ma
tions- and to cripple or embarrass
others.
-. No indemnities or reprisals
based upon vindictive purposes or
deliberate desire to injure, but to
right manifest wrongs.
IS. Recognition of the rights OF
small nations and Of the principle
NO people must be forced under SOW
ereignty under which 1t does not
wish to live
"6. No territorial changes or ad-
iustment of power except in further
ance of the welfare of the peoples af-
fected and in furtherance of world
peace.
I'm addition to these basic prin-
c;ples which are based upon declara.
tions of our President of these
United States, there should be incor-
porated in the treaty that shall con-
stitute the guide of nations In the
new period and conditions into
which we enter at the close of the
war the following declarations, fun
damental to the best interests of all
nations and of vital Importance to
wage-earners: ,,
Il. No article or commodity
shall be shipped or delivered in in
ternational commerce In the produc-
tion of which children under the
age of 16 have been employed or per-
mitted to work.
"2. 1t shall be declared that the
basic workday in industry and COM
merce shall not exceed eight hours.
"3. Involuntary servitude shall
not exist except as a punishment for
crime whereof the party shall have
been duly convicted.
-. Esta ablishment of trial by
jury.
Many of the problems of recon-
struction cannot be worked out dur
ing the war while feeling is so in
tense. The situation and opportun-
tiles which peace will bring will be
without precedent. 1t is of para
mount importance that Labor shall
be free and unembarrassed in help
ing to shape the principles and agen-
cies for the future.
"The basis of reconstruction
should be the trade union move
ments of the various countries. We
recommend that an international la
Dor conference Of representatives OF
the trade union movements of all
countries be held at the same time
and place as the World Peace Con-
gress that Labor may be in touch
with plains under consideration and
may have the benefit Of information
and counsel Of those participating In
the Congress.
Reconstruction after the war will
raise new issues, the report holds,
and the nation cannot discard light
ly the idea Of service engendered by
cooperation of all classes against a
common enemy.
with the withdrawal Of hundreds
of thousands of men tor military,
purposes there Is necessity for read
justment in the Industrial field. Ef-
fective employment agencies, under
the control Of the Department Of
Labor, cooperating with local agen-
cies and associations, would be an
invaluable adjunct to our war ma
chinery. Such agencies will also be
Ekeenly needed In the transition per-
iod that will follow the declaration
of peace and the work Of demobiliza-
tion. ltss5s35 y
eve urge the immediate necessity
OF providing for some adequate
form Of employment agencies in
this country, under federal control.
and -ordinating Ill local efforts