The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-09-29

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II is refreshing to note that the labor
unions of the country are stanch in their
patriotism.
They are not fools They understand
that no calamity could befall their class
comparable to the triumph of the Ger
man arms Bad as the laborers may
sometimes think their lot to be in Amer
lea. they know it would be infinitely
worse were the system and principles Of
autocracy TO be established here by vic
torious junkerdom.
Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation of Labor, and GER
tainly entitled to speak for the laboring
man here, said on Labor Day:
81 am pacifst-that is, was until
President Wilson asked congress to de-
clare war Now would betray the great
body of workingmen which | represent
did | not urge them to give their last
full measure of devotion TO the cause of
world freedom.
Men, women and children have been
murdered by ruthless power that is to-
day seeking world domination. II is the
duty of every man and woman in America
to give the best that is in them whether
on the field of battle or in the shop-to
bring about the destruction of that pow
TT.
On the same day United States Secre-
tary of Labor William b. Wilson used
these words in an address:
American wage-earners have more
at stake than any others. and if gauge
the timber of wage workers of our coun-
try rightly-and ! think dos per
cent of them will die in the trenches or
on the field rather than to permit the
kaiser to establish his rule over the
Z TTTrCu --StTtrS.
There is small clement compare
lively small element composed principally
Of people who have not a national spirit,
who are in opposition to the conduct Of
this war. But say to you, my friends,
that there is not a labor organization in
the country composed of wage-workers
and managed by wage-workers that has
not already given a clear intimation that
il is heart and soul with the administra-
ton in the conduct of the war.
Whatever may be our grievances in
this country, and there must always be
grievances discoverable to those who
would make constant progress, ne would
be fool indeed who would want to ex-
change the wages, the general respect,
and the open door of opportunity which
the workingman has in the United States
for the condition of the poor heots whom
the Prussian officers are now lashing for
ward TO the trenches.
The recent report Of DR.. John B. An
drews, secretary of the American Asso-
citation for Labor Legislation, shows also
that war has failed to check the course
Of laws toward the bettefment Of labor
conditions, that state legislatures have
generally strengthened labor acts, wom-
en- workers have made large gains, and
hours of work have been shortened in
many occupations. DR.. Andrews states
that:
Upon the entrance Of the United
States into the great world war legal
projections for workers were threaten
ed by an ill-advised rush for results But
the nationwide campaign, in which lead
ling civic and labor organizations Joined
forces, TO maintain existing standards in
the interest both Of maximum production
and Of human conservation, resulted in
notable success Efforts to set aside la.
boris hard-won standards on the mis-
taken plea Of war necessity have been
almost cnnnniofnlv chNckedn