Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 19??-1918, 1917-03-13
LABOR ENDORSES
MILITARY SERVICE

WASHINGTON, Mar, IL ,-~Organiz
labor of America virtually declared
today for universal military service,
The doctrine has been formally sub
scribed to not only by the millions
Of members OF the American Fedora
tion OF Labor. but by the 400. 900 or
more members OF the four big broth
erhood OF railway employees.
Subscription to the doctrine was
announced In a,t0o word pamphlet
issued by the labor council which,
under the presidency OF Samuel Com
pers, concluded a day and a half ses-
sion here early today,
The big. significant phase OF the la
Dor councils action. Il was pointed
out by one OF the highest authorities
In planning for national defense. is
the fact that Gompers is member Of
the official national defense council.
and as such. sits In conference with
members OF President Wilson's cab
met and the nations biggest capital
lists when that body meets.
we speak for millions OF AM
ericans," the pronouncement begins,
we are not sect, We are not a
party We represent the organixa-
tions held together by the pressure OF
our common needs. We represent
the part OF the nation closest to the
fundamentals of life. The power and
use OF industrial tools is greater than
the tools OF war and will In time
supersede agencies OF destruction,
"A world war is on. Whether We
approve II or not, we must recog-
nixe that war is a situation with
which we must reckon"
The pamphlet then goes on to point
out that new methods and tactics OF
modern war present problems vastly
different from those OF past wars.
In no previous war" reads a por-
tion has the organized labor move
ment taken directing part, Labor
has now reached an understanding
OF Its rights. OF its power and re-
sources. and must make definite con-
structlve proposals,
Labor demands. II is stated. the
right In war times TO be recognized
defender OF wage earners against the
same forces that In previous wars
have made national necessity an ex-
cuse for ruthless methods. Hereto
fore. 1t is declared. labor has borne
the brunt OF wars terrors and de-
privatlons.
In dustrial justice Is the right OF
those living within our country. the
statement continued with this
right. there is associated obligations.
I'm war time, obligation takes the
form OF service In defense OF the re-
public against enemies. We recog-
nize that this service may be either
or Industrial. both equally
for national defense.
I'VE hold this to be lncontrover- |
lible; that the government which de-
mands that men and women give
their labor power, their bodies or
their lives to It's service, should de-
mand also the service--in the inter-
est Of all human beings. and the pro-
duct OF human toil---of property"
After denouncing influences which |
have forced unequal sacrifice from
abor." In previous wars. the state
nent says
Our labor movement distrusts and
protests against militarlsm. because
I knows militarism represents priv
lege and Is the tool OF special In
.erests, exploiters and despots.
But while It opposes mllitarism.
I holds that Is Is the duty Of a ma
ion 10 defend itself against injus-
ice and invasion.
"The labor movement demands.
however. that a clear differentiation
,e made against military service for
he nation and police duty and that
military service should he carefully
distinguished from service In indus
rial disputes"