Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-11-13
Mine WORKERS PLAN
NO FIGHT ON G0MPERs
President OF Organization Declares
1t Is Standing Strongly Be-
hind Government.
WHITMAN ADDRESSES BODY
Declares Fight That Democracy May
Live Is Fight Of Labor, and Amcri.
can Worlsingmen Must War for
Workingmen of World.

BUFFALO, November ia pledge
ol loyalty to the government was con-
tained m the annual report OF the ex-
ccutivc council Of the American Fed
erat,cn of Labor. which was submit
ted to tho convention to-day. This re-
port, according TO the usual procedure.
was referred to committees named by
Mr. Gcmpers, and its several sections
Will be taken up by the convention as
soon as reported back. This and tho
address of President Wilson consumed
the entire morning session OF the fec
Grafton.
At tho afternoon session. Secretary
Morrison read a telegram from Frank
J. Hayes. president of the United Mine
WORKERS OF America. denying n report
that Hayes or tho Mine Workers in
tended to- lead a fight against FRESH
dent Gompers or the war policies OF
tho government.
'.Wc propose to stand strongly be-
hind II" government and those who
arc leading this fight until mili.arsr,
Is wiped from the face of tho earth"
President IIaycs's telegram read
Governor Charles s. Whitman, OF
New York. who also addressed the CON
rentior declared that tho ngE: tina;
democracy may live is the figh; OF
labor. for labor and democracy arc one:
they cannot survive tho one withou:
the other. american worlsinEmcn''
he said. are lighting for the working
men OF the world, for It Is not N the
battle field; ulcrc that this war IS be-
fnS f,rghi.
ATTITUDE; OF MIND
MATTER or IMPORTA SCT;
ut is ~, only what the working
man does. IT is not only the part he
contributes. but il is the attitude Of
mind and his faith :hat constitute. al
Importance IN this world struggle.
american work inEmpu will p
the battles Of the workinEmcn Of tho
world. because they are born leaders
OF human freedom and human prog
ress, and when they arc honestly fight
Ing for just cause in the interests
of labor, they arc lighting. too, in tho
battles for civilization and democracy.
The Governor also spoke OF the lead
the United States had taken in child
labor laws
Tho opening sessions OF the convcn-
ton were taken up largely with Gus
tomary preliminary formalitics. and the
transaction of real business will not
begin until to-morrrw.
William r. Wilson. Secretary Of La
Dor. himself member of the fedora
ton, tclcgraphcd from San Francisco
his regret at being unable to be pres
cnt. and urging his old comrades In
Dor to put aside all controversy unit,
the war Is won.
ITO me-" he wired. the prime neccs-
sity is to lay aside our family nuarrels
until we have disposed OF the enemy
from without"
PrcsidelE Wilson stayed in Buffalo
just long enough to deliver his mes
sage TO labor. lie left the convention
hall Immediately after he had finished
speaking, and went at once to the
train to return 30 Washington. Th!r-
tneh hundred student officers from Fort
Niagara, acting as his escort, gave his
visit in Buffalo military aspect.
The greatest precautions were main
tanned by the local authorities to safe
guard the President. The hour OF his
arrival was kept secret and the crowd
was not permitted to enter the hall
until after the Presidents party had
mounted tho speakers platform. 1t
was n dismal. gloomy day, but nearly
G000 persons bravcd the ,a;n to hear
tho President.