The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1917-03-06
ORGANIZED LABOR IS
TO RAISE ITS VOICE
WAGE FARMERS PLAN FOR
MEETING.
Conference to Be Held in Wash
ingtOn on March IL Will At
tract Thousands.

tOh, mdTCH 4.-SDOk eS-
men Of more than 100000 Ameri-
can wage earners have been called to
meet in conference here March IL
to determine and announce the part
labor shall claim in the formation
OF policies of preparedness and de-
Tense in the crisis confronting the
nation.
The call, made public today, was
issued by Samuel Gompers, president
of the American Federation of La
bor, under authority of the fedora
tion's executive council. 1t went to
presidents of 10 national and inter
national unions affiliated with the
federation, department presidents
and tn efour great railroad en-
ployes' brotherhoods. In his letter
to the union heads, Mr.. Gompers
said:
Every day has added to the Sc
riousness of the situation that con-
fronts our nation. Even though we
should be able to maintain our rights
without being drawn into active par
ticipation in the present world con-
fiict, yet we shall be compelled ia
meet the problems OF readjustment
after the war and to do our part to
have incorporated into international
regulations, the future ideals and
principles of human justice and de-
mocracy and the establishment of in
stitutions and relations to deal with
misunderstanding, differences and
conflicting interests, so that they
may be guided in such a way as to
prevent future wars.
Situation at Hand.
But there is an immediate, crit
lical situation which the labor move
ment must meet at once. National
constructive policies of preparedness
and fense are now being formulated.
The wage earners of the United
States will have to recognize their
obligation to maintain institutions of
liberty and justice If they are to have
part in directing the spirit and the
methods that shall be adopted for
the defense of our republic
Some plans will be adopted.
Whatever the plan may be. it will af-
AFFECT wage earners primarily. II ia
this formative period the labor move
ment shall clearly enunciate what
part it is willing to take in defense.
OF the republic, it will be in a posi-
tion TO have a vote in deciding tho
whole plan of national preparedness
for defense. but il the labor move
ment should hold aloof and should
refuse to proclaim a constructive pro-
gram, all wage earners will be
forced to accept conditions and
methods determined by those who do
not understand or sympathize with
the aims or purposes of the labo
movement.
Either duties and service in con
nection with national defense will b,
imposed upon the workers withou,
their advance when formulating these
plans, or labor must make this an
opportunity for emphasizing the tre-
mendous service that it has render
ed to society, both in peace and in
war and for demanding that all plans
be in harmony with the thought that
human life and human welfare are
the ultimate purposes which both
peace and war serve.
Wage earners. the great masses
of the people have the right to de-
mand that the interests OF humans
shall under all circumstances be
made paramount to the interests of
property.
Serves Without Council.
THE labor movement has repeat
edly declared that representatives of
wage earners ought to be included in
every agency acting for the govern
ment of the people. In harmony
with this position, President Wilson
appointed me a member of the ad-
visory commission to the council of
national defense. The executive coun-
ell approved my acceptance OF the
position and / have been working
with the council and with the advis
iory commission.
General policies are now in the
making and can be directed either is
accord with the interests Of human.
ity or against them. But organized
labor can not delay in expressing it.