Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-10-20
STATE UNIONS BACK
j. s. TO A MAN IN
WAR WITH GERMANY
LABOR BODIES IN JOLIET CON
VENTiON LOYAL TO UNCLE
SAM-REPORT FULL OF PATRll
OTTO SENTIMENT.

committee on ofilcerS report wa,
adopted by the Illinois State Fedora
ton of Labor late yesterday as fol
lows:
'lnnumerable questions involving
the democratic future of labor have
been raised by the existing status OF
war The experience OF our Euro
pean trade unionists has demon
strated that many institutions imag
ned proof against all change have
been thrown into the melting pot OF
national necessity and emergency.
Now that international strife has
reached our shores the attitude o.
labor of America on the question o.
war assumes new importance. La
Dor entertains no delusion as To the
consequences OF war and the share
that workers are compelled TO suffer
1t has also been clearly demonstrated
that in this great worlds struggle
for the ideals of democracy well-nigh
all depends upon the patriotic serv
Ice OF labor. In the face of this crisi,
We find the workers of America TAX
ing patriotic and loyal stand
'lmpelled by a desire to avoid the
mistakes of our European fellow
trades uniOnists, at conference o.
the national and international trade
unions representatives OF America
held in Washington, d. C.. and charged
with the duty of determining the at
titude of Americas workers in thi.
great worlds conflict, the workers o
our country, pledged their loyalty I,
our nation and its people, resolved
to give their patriotic service and de
manded in return that labor must b,
represented in all councils authorized
to conduct the war.
'Labors appeal and demand ha,
been needed by our government. TIL,
wisdom OF labor's judgment is splen
| didly demonstrated n the report o
| your president and secretary treasur
err In his report your president dem
onstrates impressiyely labor's powe
and influence In these councils o
war, to protect and render secure la
| boris interests, and advance the caus'
OF the organized groups of our work
Ing people Never heretofore has Ia
Dor welded such vast influence 4
the affairs OF nation
Your committee is in full accor
with the declarations contained In tn
report of your secretary.treasure
Whatever may have been the origini
cause or causes to disturb the tran
quality of the nations of the worl
the predomnating and alloversha,
owing issue of the worlds contest t.
day is the preservation and extensio
OF the ideals and principles of demo
racy the world over.
While II is true that there al
some financial, commercial and indu
trial groups who are insincere
their patriotic prOtestations of demo
racy, 1t is equally true that the idea
Of democracy. proclaimed the wor
over have developed new nation
concept which will become firmly ,
tablished in the minds of men al
as action follows thought, 50 this ne
concept OF democracy will grow a
grow until no power or force can pl
!, vent its full realization in all our
II man relations, political, finance
II commercial and industrial, the wol
- over
20 THE workers of America are 10,
and patriotic The labor moyemt
/ recognizes that our people must
n hold the honor and dignity of {
- government among the nations of [
" world and that in so doing it mi
20 likewise safeguard and uphold I
, rights and general welfare of
workers of our country.
"a Prompted by these dictates and
, spring motives. your committee
\, only recommends full approval of
acceptance to membership and p
70 ticipation in the affairs of the Hin
!, State Council of Defense by "
-. president and secretary.treasurer
4. ceptance to Office by your preside
- approval of and participation in
:, patriotic work of the American A
!, ance for Labor and Democracy,
!. ceptance to membership on the
i trlct exemption boards by John +
VI patrick, president Chicago Federal
of Labor and Democracy, acceptal
"a to membership on the district exel
ton boards by John Fitzpatrick, pl
"a ident Chicago Federation Of Lab
"a John G. Harding, Chicago Typogra
:, ical Union; George w. Perkins, pr
=, dent International Cigar max,
9, Union; Frank Harrington, presld
;, Illinois Mine workers Union; AL II
=, ers, Molders' Union, vice presd
- Illinois State Federation OF Lab
"a Charles Ford secretary treasurer
+, ternational Brotherhood of Llectr
a, Workers; President John II. Wal
., and Secretary.Treasurer Victor Oh
der, but we also commend them
IN their patriotic and loyal response
I'd the needs of our country and to
, ; best interests OF the organized Ia
movement"