Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1917-12-08
LABOR ASKS REPRESENTATION
IN PEACE CONFERENCE

Courted on every side by govern
ments and corporations, Labor is
growing ever more conscious of it's
power. The American Federation of
Labor, while refusing to participate
in the Stockholm Conference and
similar informal discussions at the
present time, nevertheless demands
representation in the Peace Negotia-
tions. "The basis of reconstruction"
declares President Gompers, the most
conservative of the labor leaders,
SHOULD be the trade union move
ments of the various countries to be
held at the same time and place as
the world peace congress, that labor
may be in touch with plans under
consideration and may have the bene-
fit of information and counsel of those
participating in the congress-"
The American Federation of Labor
is not for premature peace" but
it's Executive Council officially de-
mands voice in the peace conference.
''When nations can send represent
atives to negotiate peace terms in
accord with this concept, we main
tain that the basic provisions of the
peace treaty should be formulated
with regard to the rights and welfare
of the men, women and children con-
stltutlng the nations rather than the
governments Of the nations. The 4.
government should be only an in
strumentality Oh the people instead
of dominating and actuating their
lives. This terrific war must wipe
out all vestiges Of the old concept
that the nation belongs to the ruler
Or government. The future must be
construed upon broader lines than the
past. We snsist, therefore, that the
government of the United States pro-
vide adequate and direct represent
atives of wage earners among the
plenipotentiaues sent to the peace
congress, and urge upon the labor
movements of other countries to take
like action"
Firm in its support of the govern
ment in the prosecution of the war,
the American Federation Of Labor
makes demands upon the administra-
ton. Foremost is it's demand that
labor be represented in all defense
activities of wage earners did not
take a responsible part in deter
mining our relations to war work
that field would be left undisputed to
those not Immediately concerned in
their welfare" says the executive
council report. Moreover, the report
makes demands that the government
give equal recognition to industrial
war service and military service.
Recognition by the government of the
eight-hour day, with provisions for
longer hours with overtime based on
an eight-hour-day is also asked for.
Equal wages for women and men in
war industry are sought.
Furthermore, the report concen-
trates its demands in the following
paragraphs:
''The menace of militarism arises
through isolating the defensive func-
tions of the state from civic activ-
tiles and from creating military agen-
cies out of touch with masses of the
people. Isolation is subversive to
democracy-it harbors and nurtureS
the germs of arbitrary power.
"The labor movement demands that
a clear differentiation be made be-
tween military service for the ma
tion and police duty, and that mill
tary service should be carefully dis
tinguished from service in industrial
disputes.
''We hold that industrial service
shall be deemed equally merito-
rious as military service Organiza-
tion for industrial and commercial
service is upon different basis from
military service-the civic ideals still
dominate. This should be recognized
in mobilizing for this purpose. The
same voluntary institutions that or
ganized industrial, commercial and
transportation workers in times of
peace will be pest take care of the
same problems in time of war.
at is fundamental, therefore, that
the government cooperate with the
American organized labor movement
for this purpose"