Denver labor bulletin., 1917-04-14
GOMPERS DECLARES LABOR'SPOSITION
UPON INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS In WAR
Replies Telegram from Secretary Ed Anderson of State
tion Saying He Was Misquoted in Daily Press Dis
patches; Labor Division of National Defense
Council

Press dispatches from Washington
last Monday carried a news article to
the effect that Samuel Gompers, pres
ident of the American Federation of
Labor, who is a member of the nation
al defense council appointed by Presi-
dent Wilson, is recommending that
governors of states be given the
power to suspend or modify labor
laws and that there would be mo la
Dor strikes while the United States
government was engaged in prosecut-
ing war on Germany"
Labor officials of Denver were not
satisfied that the press reports were
correct. Ed. Anderson, secretary of
the Colorado State Federation of La
Dor, Immediately wired President
Gompers to this effect as follows:
Denver, Colo, April 8, 1917.
Samuel Gompers, President American
Federation of Labor, Washington,
d. C.
Press reports today quote you as
recommending to organized labor that
no demands be made by them for i'm
proved working conditions of labor at
this time without the approval of the
national defense committee. and that
said committee recommends that the
governors Of various states be given
the power 10 suspend or modify re-
strictions Of labor laws. Are you in
accord with this statement and rec
ED. ANDERSON,
Secretary Colorado State Federation
of Labor.
Gompers Replies to Query.
That Gompers was not correctly
quoted in the Associated Press reports
is clearly shown by the following tele-
grams received by Secretary Ander-
son.
Washington, d. c., April 10. 1917
Ed. Anderson, Secretary Treasurer
Colorado State Federation of La
Dor, 301 German American Trust
Building, Denver, Colorado.
Telegram received. The declaration
ards shall not be disturbed, but in no
wise precludes the efforts to obtain
necessary improved conditions. The
/ declaration further holds that legH-
/ latures should vigorously uphold and
officers enforce labor and health laws
and that no relaxation Of them should
/ be attempted. 1t further provides
that the Legislature be asked to pass n
/ law placing in the hands of the gov
ernors of the states the power to mod
/ ify for n specified period, not longer
! imam pl war. Nut
Dor laws. and this only when the
council of national defense shall de-
eide that an extraordinary emergency
exists, requiring such action, even
I tho temporary, the declaration is de-
signed to maintain the laws in all
their force and to stop hysteria mani
| Tested in so many quarters for the
repeal or modification of these laws.
SAMUEL GOMPERS.
What Was Recommended.
The recommendations of the advis-
ory committee of the national defense
council. approved by the committee on
! labor, of which Mr.. Gompers is chair
man. were as follows:
The defense and safety of the nation
must be the first consideration of cit
! liens. To avoid confusion and TO
facilitate the preparation for national
defense and give stable basis upon
which the representatives of the gov
crnment may operate during the war,
we recommend:
"That the council of national de-
fense should issue statement to en-
ployers and employees in our industrial
plants and transportation systems ad-
vising that neither employers nor en-
ployes shall endcavor to take advan-
tage of the country's necessities to
change existing standards. When