The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1917-02-17
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
MANIFESTO
coMITE PRo-coNFEREr

MIR. Loveira to the thirtysixth annual
convention of the American Federation
of Labor held in Baltimore The report
cited the significant situation now ex-
isting between Chile and Peru. These
countries had been at war with one an
other and, officially, still regard each
other with suspicion. In spite of this,
however, the labor movements of these
countries have established the most
friendly relations, each country main
tanning a fraternal delegate in the land
of the other and holding labor CON
crosses from time to time. The report
went on to show that between Costa
Rica, Nicaragua and Guatemala the
same. fraternal labor conditions exist.
The Conference Committee hopes that
every bona tide labor organization in
LatinAmerica will Immediately estab-
lish correspondence, one with another.
and for this purpose and to facilitate
this correspondence, the Conference
Committee encloses a list of names and
addresses so that there may be free
interchange of opinions and suggestions
to bring about the purposes expressed
in this document.
1t is earnestly requested that labor or
ganizations which desire any further in
formation in regard to matters of trade
union tactics, rules, regulations and GUS
toms may freely ask this Conference
Committee for them, in order that all
may acquire fraternal solidarity.
The working people of all our coun-
tries should give their first attention to
securing better standards of life and
work:
| Higher wages.
Shorter workdays.
More safe and sanitary conditions in
all places of employment.
! Better homes.
Better surroundings.
Prohibition of child labor.
Protection of children
Legislative enactments to achieve and
maintain equal rights:
The right of association.
The right of free assemblage.
The right of free speech.
The right of free press.
The right, singly or collectively, to
withhold our labor power-the right to
strike.
Latin-American labor organization are
asked to spread the suggested ideals of
this conference by means of correspond
ence, by means of the press at their dis
posal, and through pamphlets. In order
to facilitate this great work it is desired
that all possible information in relation
to unions, syndicates, fedcrations and
considerations be sent to the Pan Amer
ican Federation of Labor Conference
Committee, American Federation of La
Dor Building, Washington, ID. c., U. S
A., giving in detail names and addresses
of leaders, number of members and
other matters of moment
1t is not the purpose of the Confer
ence Committee in this circular letter to
undertake to discuss all that this Pan
American Federation of Labor may en-
compass or portend. Suffice it to know
that this Conference Committee has in
mind the establishment of the most cor
dial and fraternal relations, cooperation
for the protection and the promotion of
the rights and interests of the working
people-this to maintain the integrity of
our several countries in order that the
largest field of helpfulness may be util-
ized and that the people and all the
governments of Pan-America may stand
as one great unit for our common pro-
lection and advancement.
1t is with these thoughts and hopes
uppermost, in our minds and our hearts,
the spirit of which we have but barely
expressed, that we appeal to our fellow
workers of Pan-America to give this
our solemn purpose, their immediate
hearty and constant support.
Note-The thought and hope for a
Par n-Amercan Federation of Labor
have been, as is well known, long in con-
temptation and for nearly year in the
course of preparation. This manifesto
has been in course of preparation for
several weeks, and is not based upon
the present critical international situa-
ton between the United States and Ger
many. Indeed, it was written before the
break came, but between the time of its
production in the English language and
its translation into Spanish, the crisis
was reached and its printing held up to
incorporate this paragraph. That which
precedes this is all the more significant
by reason of the crisis in which the
United States and necessarily the Latin
American countries find themselves, and
emphasizes more clearly than ever the
necessity for a Pan-American Fedora
ton of Labor and a spirit of Pan-Amer
icaniSm If is hODed that the hest fra