The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-06-23
BY SAMUEL GoMPERs.

n
ances in the commercial and industrial
world. There were rumors and the ElSR
ginning of efforts to make war danger
the excuse for changing completely
existing standards. Movements began
to suspend or to change the standard
of the workday and other conditions
established to protect the health and to
conserve the labor power of workers.
In order to inject something that
would act as steadying force during
the first hours after the war the ex-
ecutive committee of the committee on
labor, including conservation Of the
health and welfare of workers, adopt
ed a declaration which was referred to
the advisory commission and, when
adopted by that body, to the Council Of
National Defense. The Council of Ma
public the declaration The purpose Of
the declaration was to prevent enact
ment of legislation repeating labor leg
islation and to prevent unnecessary, Ill
advised and hasty changes of stand
ards in private industry. The declara-
ton urged upon the legislatures of the
several states which We're then in ses-
sion and would shortly adjourn some
for two year period-that before final.
adjournment they delegate to the gov
errors of their respective states the
power 10 suspend or modify restric-
lions contained in their labor laws
when such suspension or modification
should be requested by the Council of
| National Defense and that such sus-
pensions or notifications should be
made only for specified period and no
| longer than the duration of the war.
In the course of the meeting at which
these resolutions were passed 1t was
clearly stated and understood that tEs
| intent Of the first resolution regarding
! possible emergencies requiring modiM
cations in existing standards was III
maintain existing standards. The at
tention of the committee was directed
| to the fact. and it was generally I'M
| dersood for the basis of our action,
that workmen employed in the trans
portation systems and industrial plants
may find their wages of the present
time out of proportion to the increased
| cost of living, and in that case main
tenance of the present status Of labor
conditions obviously implied an adj
vance in wage scales.
In the discussion on this point which
followed in the committee considera-
ton was given to the circumstances in
which during the war organized Eng
fish miners We're obliged to demon
strate the necessity of wage increase,
the award being in their favor when
| they had proved the considerable
changes that had taken place in the
cost of living. Plainly in similar cases
I II this country, higher wage scales
must be adopted Therefore there was
incorporated in the resolutions the rec
ommendation that proposed changes
should be made only after investiga-
/ tAOAi ana oPplONdl NY Tic SOuiNil VI
National Defense, whose duty in this
respect should also be vigorous main
tenance of safeguards of the health
and welfare of workers.
The resolutions in question clearly
apply only to the large industries and
the transportation systems, whose op-
erations are essential to the prosecu-
ton of the war. They are not intended
to cover every petty labor difference in
the country, though it is hoped that
patriotic regard will be had by all citi-
zens to the need of possible maxi
mum of industrial peace everywhere.
1t is, of course. not expected that me-
gotiations or even strikes now on In
various occupations shall be wholly
suspended, irrespective of the merits
! of the questions under discussion. On
such points each trade union is the
judge of the principles which should
prevail in its action.
The special attention of trade unions
is called to the fact that the resolu-
tions declare that legislatures should
uphold and public officers enforce ex-
listing labor and health laws and that
the notifications or standards author
lied in extraordinary emergencies by
the Council of National Defense should
be only for specified periods and in any
event not longer than the duration OF
the war.
With this statement it is felt that
each case of differences arising be.
tween employers and employees, as
well as the trade agreement or other
matters now under discussion, may be
left to the common sense of men who
are willing and .anxious to perform
| their duty to their country in the pres.
ent grave situation.
| 1t is hoped that the above will clarity
the misunderstanding which really oc
Cured.
In this crisis in our nations history
every one will do his level best, MOI
only for service, but for a united spirit
and action.
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