The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1917-02-10

nat llle assistance OF the organizers
OF the a. +. of L. be extended to the
Laundry Workers International Union.
hat special effort be made to organ
lze all labor engaged in the manufac-
ture OF bottle caps, corks and crowns /;
all workers i'll the cellulod and tortoise
shell industry; the nurses and attend
ants in State hospitals; the meat cut
tiers and butcher workmen; and those
employed in the manufacture of gloves.
That all affiliated unions having
members in the various shipyards Of
the country put forth determined ef-
tort to completely organize all crafts
employed in the shipyards.
hat moral support should be given
to the White Rats Actors International
IN its efforts to better the conditions
OF its members.
| hat every effort be made to secure
a more extended demand for union la
bel tobacco. cigarettes and snuff.
That wherever possible and practical
bic cloth union labels should be substi-
tuted for paper labels.
1t was brought to the attention OF the
convention that the impression prevails
among many of the organizers of the
a. +. OF l.. and the organizers of the
national and international unions that
as the Union Label Trades Department
had been charged with label agitation
and label advertising, the organizers are
absolVed from special efforts in this di-
rection. The convention laid special
emphasis upon the point that the at
'tention of all organizers should be called
to the fact that whenever and wher-
ever possible label agitation is an i'm
portant part of organizers duties.
The convention was emphatic in its
declaration, and we expect effective
protest to be made against the enact
ment of any law by Congress or the
States which shall have the effect either
permanently or temporarily to deny the
right of the workers to collective ac-
ton or to quit their employment
The officers of affiliated oreaniza-
tons, organizers and labor press have
performed invaluable service in the
past. Too much praise can not be given
to these self-sacriticing, devoted trade
unionists. 1t has been a source of
great satisfaction to know that there
is within our movement such large
number of active unionists who give
Of their time and ability that the organ
lied and unorganized may reap the
benefits of organization. There is no
institution that can boast of such a
large corps of workers who. without
stint, devote their time that opportuni-
ties may be provided for the toilers
who are less fortunate than those who
are organized.
Increasing opportunities demand that
we make even greater efforts so that
our movement shall correspondence in
crease i'll membership and that its
power and influence for the bettcrmcnt
OF the conditions of the workers NAV
be constantly augmented. The growth
of the labor movement means added
duties and responsibilities for its mem
bers as well as its officers. That the
\. +. of l.. may continue on its upward
march and keep abreast of the oppor-
tunties afforded, it will be necessary
now more than ever that we devote
ourselves assiduouSly to the demands
made upon us by fcllow-workcrs.
In a word, that every man in the la
Dor movement and every organized
body of labor shall put forth every en-
ergv in order that this year of our lives
and our movement shall be made bet
ter and more secure. that every toilcr
eligible to membership in any existing
union be influenced to Join the ranks
of organized labor and make common
cause with us in this beneficent and
humane movement OF ours.
! can not too strongly impress upon
you the necessity of exercising the
greatest vigilance during the coming
year in order that the labor movement
local. State and nationa1-mav not ONLY
perform its great task to the full ap-
proval of those whom it represents, but
also that it may carry light and hope
into the lives of an ever-increasing
number of unorganized workers.
With the earnest hope for the sue
cess and continued growth of our great
movement for this year and for all the
years to come, and hoping for your
continued cooperation and help, | am,
Fraternally yours,
SAMUEL GoMPERs,
President, American Federation of
Labor.
IN.