The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-11-12
President Wilson Pleads for
Full Cooperation of Labor.
Speaks to People Thru AmerI-
can Labor Federation.
FIRST ADDRESS ON PROGRAM
Wild Outburst by 5000 as
President Enters Hall.
Meeting One of Most Important
in Labor History.

The full text of President Wilson's
sDeech today before the American
Federation of Labor appears On
page Z.
Convention Hall, Buffalo. n. Y,
Nov. 12-Asking that he be regarded
as fellow citizen speaking words of
counsel and not as the chief eXecu-
tive of the United States, President
Wilson today asked the ranks OF Ia
Dor to Join with the other people OF
America on a new and high plat
we have come to the deciding
hours between the old principle OF
power and the new principle of free
dom" said the president
His address was delivered before
representatives Of labor from all parts
of the country, atte- ding the opening
session of the American Federation of
Labor.
Mrs. Wilson There. Too.
Escorted by Samuel Gompers and
Governor whitman. President and
Mrs Wilson We're greeted with sea
of waving flags and cheers while the
band played the Star Spangled Ban
ncr ds they entered the hall.
This was le first time in history
that a chief executive of the United
States has talked directly to the ma
tion's labor representatives.. As the
convention opened. President a. A.
an associate of Howard Coffin in
building Americas great air fleet,
warned them against German agents
in t,.eir midst.
The coming of President Wilson
oVershadowed the interest in all other
proceedings of the opening session of
the convention, already recognized as
one of the most important conven-
tions in the history of organized labor
in this country. This feeling was in
hXr no
the president was coming ito speak
to labo, and thru labor to the Amer
lean people" Great crowds gathered
early at the auditorium which seats
5000 persons and was to be open to
the public.
$50 Delegates There.
Buffalo's police were out in force
to protect the president along the line
of march from the station Mr. VII
son was on the program as the first
speaker and his address was awaited
with intense interest by the 450 dele
gates who gathered at convention
headquarters and marched to the hall
in Il body.
Next in importance to the presi-
dents address was the report of the
executive council. the keynote of the
convention to be submitted today.
Preliminary committee meetings had
indicated that questions arising from
ts.e war would occupy a large part of
the weeks deliberations and so far as
their proceedings were made public
there was every indication that the
policies of President Gompers and his
associates on the council would be up
held by the rank and file of the fel-
Grafton.
Most Critical Time in History.
Samuel Gompers. president of the
American Federation of Labor, in
PRODUCING Mr.. Wilson, referred to him
as This man of destiny, spokesman
for freedom. interpreter of the aims
and spirit of our time, leader of
thoughts and action among the ma
tions of the earth"
Mr. Wilson began by saying he es-
teemed it a privilege and an honor to
be present. as il seemed to him a time
above all others for common counsel
a time for drawing the energies OF
the nation together.
The president referred to the pres
ent as a time more critical than the
world has yet known"
1t was important lin this moment
of counsel to remind ourselves how
the war came about" he said, an6
continued:
This is the last decisive issue be-
tween the old principle of power anC
the new principle of freedom"
"The war was started by German
he continued. Her authorities deny
it, but I am willing to await the YER
dict of history on the statement have
just made.
Germany had a place in the
SUM-" the president asserted. why
was she not satisfied? What more
does she WANT"
The president, described Germany:
expansion as a nation.
Thirst for More Power.
You have one answer to the ques
tion why she was not satisfied in hel
methods of competition" he said, tell
ing how the government of Germany
had laid hold on industry" and con
trolled the competition. He said i
was not only industrial control of la
Dor but political control as Well anC
added that the Berlin Bagdad railroa,
program was designed to run the fore,
of threat down the flanks of half
dozen other nations.
The president alluded to Germany
map of Europe" and said that Il
she can keep that. size will control III
world provided the present authorize
that control Germany can continue t
control"
Power cannot be used against FIRE,
people when the power is controIle,
by the people," he az ed a statemen
which the audience loudly applauded
Germany Is determined that the DO
litical power of the world shall be
long to her 1t is is amazing to m
that any group should be so misin
formed. as in certain circles Of Russi.
as TO believe that they can live with
out danger from Germany. I oppos
not the feeling of pacificts hut thei
stupidity. The pacifists do not knoV
how to get peace, but I do
Negotiate War-Not Peace.
Tho nTesidaut 10 fa.-Y.fr,a. p, rho -.a,,j