The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-05-19
NO WAR STRIKES,
LAROR'S PLEDGE
Unions Promise Full Support to
Nation During Hostl|ities.
NO. CHANGE IN CONDITIONS
American Federation of Labor Takes
Important Action In Support of the
Government - Defense Council to
Safeguard Interests Of Workers
Strongly Recommended.

:
Strongly Recommended.
Organized labor has pledged its full
and unqualified support to the govern
ment for the duration of the war, and
Its leaders have promised to use their
full influence to- prevent any attempt
to take advantage of the existing
emergency to press the claims Of labor
for change In existing industrial con-
ditions. This announcement was made
In statement issued by the Council
of National Defense and signed by Sam
uel Gompers, president of the Ameri-'
can Federation of Labor and member
of the advisory commission of the
council, and his fellow members OF
the subcommittee on labor.
A report made to the council by Mr..
Gompers committee urged both capt.
tai and labor to unite in common sup
port Of the nation, waving for the
duration of the war any plans for
changes In existing labor standards.
The report of the committee number
ing on its list prominent executives as
well as labor leaders, is regarded here
as marking an important step In the
efforts of the government to secure the
fullest cooperation from both labor
and capital in the struggle.
The full text of the recommends
lions of Mr.. Gompers and his commit
tee follows:
"The defense and safety of the ma
ton must be the first consideration OF
all patriotic citizens. To avoid confu-
sion and to facilitate the preparation
for national defense and give stable
| basis upon which the representatives
of the government may operate during
the war we recommend:
"First. the Council Of National
Defense should issue statement to
employers and employees in our indus
trial plants and transportation sys-
| TENS advising that neither employers
nor employees shall endeavor to take
advantage of the country's necessities
| 10 CltunSt CAlHtlilS GlulonlNo. " ItAA
economic or other emergencies arise
requiring changes of standards Tie
same should be made only after such
/ proposed changes have been inYesti-
gated and approved by the Council OF
National Defense.
Second. That the Council of Nation
al Defense urge upon the legislatures
of the states, as well as all adm1nistra-
tive agencies charged with the enforce
ment of labor and health laws, the
great duty of vigorously maintaining
the existing safeguards as to the
health and welfare of workers and
that no departure from such present
standards in state laws or state rulings
affecting labor should be taken with
out declaration of the Council of Ma
tional Defense that such departure is
essential for the effective pursuit Of
the national defense.
'"Third. the Council of National
Defense urge upon. the legislatures of
the several states that before final ad-
journment they delegate to the gov
ernors of their respective states the
power to suspend or modify restric-
tons contained in their labor laws
when such suspension or modification
shall be requested by the Council Of
, National Defense and such suspension
or modification when made shall con-
tinue for specified period and not
longer than the duration of the war;
The recommendations were unani-
mously approved and adopted by the
national. council andeadvisory commits
sion.