Denver labor bulletin., 1917-03-17
PATRIOTIC DECLARATION
ISSUED AT CONFERENCE
IN WASHINGTON.
Militarism Protested, While In
dustrial Service Is Deemed
Equally Meritorious in
Time of War; Labor
Must Be Rec
ognized.
Especial corre.pond-nosD

NAoHlNSloN, March lo.-Organ-
lied labor in America, thru its repre-
sentatiycs in conference here last
night, offered its services to the coun-
try in every field of activity if, de-
spite all endeavors and hopes, the
United States should be drawn into
war.
The action was taken by unanimous
vote of more than $50 delegates from
national and international trade un-
ions affiliated with the American Fed
Grafton of Labor and five unAffiliated
organizations, including the great rail-
road brotherhoods.
In all, about 5000. 900 American
workers were represented in the con-
ference, called to determine and an
nounce the part 10 be claimed by la
Dor in national preparedness plans
A statement formally adopted and
issued after the meeting set forth in
addition to the offer FOR services in
case Of war, various demands which
were held 20 be fundamentals in safe
guarding the rights Of workers in war
times as well as in peace.
War Declaration Adopted
Militarism was protested against;
IL was held that industrial service
should be deemed equally meri;orious
with military service; that service
ards and that organized labor should
have representation on all agcncrcs
determining and administering poll
cics Of national defense and controll-
ing publicity.
In declaration defining organized
labor's attitude in case the United
States becomes involved in the world
war. the full support Of 100000
members Of trade and railroad organ
tvusfar. ral.du-sf in m ata.arnRrt
that rings with unified, true American
patriotism.
Gompers Calls Conference.
The statement was drafted by the
executive council of the American
Federation Of Labor which submitted
II to the delegates gathered here
Monday in response TO n call from
Samuel Gompcrs, president. who pre-
sided at the conference. IL had been
thought that perhaps two or three
days might be required for discussion.
but the conference finished its work
in few hours.
Altho meetings were executive, il
was said later that only slight objcc-
ton was voiced in certain passages in
the original draft of the statement
and that these were explained away,
the vote on adoption being without
dissenting voice.
The statement opens with this dec
laration:
1--WE speak for millions Of Ameri-
cans. We arc not sect We are not
n party. We represent the organiZa-
tions held together by the pressure
of our common needs. We represent
the part of the nation closest to the
Fundamentals of life. Those we rep
resent WELD the nations tools and
grapplc with the forces that are
brought under control in our material
civilization. The power and use of
industrial tools is greater than the
tools of war and will in time super
scde agencies of destruction"
Must Recognize Possibility.
1t then goes on TO say that whether
we approve IL or not. we must rccog-
nize that war is situation with which
we must reckon" and points out that
the United States may be drawn into
the European conflict at any moment.
Attention is called TO the fact that
methods of modern warfare are far
different from those of previous wars,
and that the nations problems afford
an opportunity for the establishment
of new freedom and wider opportu-
mites" Modern war. the statement
says, includes contests between work
shops, opportunities, factories, the
land, financial and transportation re-
sources, therefore, at is fitting that
the masses Of the people Of the United
States should take counsel and de-
tcrminc" the course they shall pursue.
"It is timely" it adds, that we
frankly present experiences and con-
ditions which in former times have
prevented nations from benefiting by
the voluntary. wholehearted co-opera-
ton of wagc-carners in war time, and
then make suggestions how these him
drances to our national strength ana
vigor can be removed.
Must Maintain Rights.
"War has never put n stop to the
necessity for struggle to establish and
maintain industrial rights. Wage
earners in war times must, MS has been
said keep one eye on the exploitcrs mt
home and the other upon the enemy
threatening the national government"
II is maintained to be fundamental
step in preparedness for the nation to
set it's own house in order and cstab-
lish at home justice in relations be-
tween men,"
Previous wars, for whatever pur-
pose waged, are said to have devel-
oped new opportunities for exploiting