The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-06-23
WILLIAM f.. McEWEN, Publisher.
MIR. GOMPERS SPEAKS PLAINLY

When selecting the subcommittee to look after
the coal situation the National Council of Defense
named men, most Of whom were sworn enemies OF
labor. In scathng letter made public a few days
ago John p White, president of The United Mine
Workers let it be understood that the Worklngmen,
and the miners especially, must be recognized or
trouble might be expected. Mr.. Whites letter
ricd conviction and Immediately the mstake' was
corrected by the appointment of additional mem
hers Of the subcommittee who were more friendly to
organized labor.
Recently President Gompers issued statement
relative to the apparent failure to recognize the
function Of organized labor in the program of pre-
pairing for the present struggle.
The Labor World is glad to publish Mr.. Com
pcrs statement believing that when its contents
generally known. the public will understand that
labor must he given equal voice with capital in de-
termning what sacrifices the producers Of wealth
are to make as long as the war shall last
President Gompcrs statement follows:
"Whenever interruption of industry occurs both
the government and employers appeal to organized
labor. There is general desire to hold the labor
movement responsible for all things affecting the
human side of production without corresponding
desire to recognize the function of organized labor
and to give it opportunity or authority.
'Conditions against which organized labor pro-
tested and worked rising up to plague the
nation in time of need. The hordes of immi-
grant workers induced by trusts to to this coun-
try to lower standards of work have deliberately
been prevented from learning American ways of lv-
ing, and Of course do not now manifest loyalty to
America S necessity. Corporations that have
beaten up every labor organizer who vcnured to set
foot on their domains come cry ing to the Aner-
Federation OF Labor to help adjust labor differ
ences. The departments of the federal government
bring all labor difficulties to the responsible officers
OF the labor movement and then let contracts to
union establishments.
''What the government and employers must re-
cognize is that there is definite, tangible way to
deal with unorganzcd workers. and that success
in winning the depends upon ability to or
ganizc and resources. The ony practical pol
icy is to lay upon the labor movement responsibility
for dealing with the labor side and then give it an o
portunity to make good
Labor organizations desire to enter into agree
mcnts so that they give loyal service. The metal
trades have already offered to furnish the govern
ment with necessary workers for contracts and
to arbtrate all differences without cessation of work
They have done everything that patriotic workers
could do. They could not be expected to submit to
unjust treatment and therefore, they ask the cstab-
llshment OF ways and agences whereby they can re-
main at work and have injustice remedied. The coal
miners and other trades have taken similar action.
Thc nation is counting upon organized labor to
Go It's share and holds it responsible for inds-
pensablc part OF national Defense Organized labor
represents fundamental force in our industrial
world. A plan for1aional defense that does not have
place for this elemental force has failed to look
facts squarcly in the face and has failed to under
stand the problem.
mo greater mlstakc-aye crimc-can be CON-
mltted against our nation than to conceal truths and
to follow methods that not genuine and full
Hypocrisy and special privileges for favored few
will get nowhere in this war The crisis demands
national cooperation organization to serve the ma
ton need. Those forces that can help should be
given full opportunity
If the world is to be made SAT- for democracy
democracy i'll the United States must be made strong
and efficient by establishing economic democracy to
coordinate with political democracy Sound mutual
economic cooperation is the foundation for co-opcra-
ton i'll all other relationships