The Washington times., 1917-03-13
UNIVERSAL SERVICE
FAVORED BY LABOR
Organized Workers Represent.
atives Formally Pledge Mil.
lions, to National FeaIty.
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The present European war threatens
at any moment to draw our country
into the conflict"
The pamphlet then goes on to point
out that new methods and tactics OF
modern war present problems vastly
different from those OF past wars.
''In no previous war;" reads a por-
tion, has the organized labor move-
ment taken a directing part. Labor
has now reached an understanding, Of
its right, of its power and resources,
and must make definite constructive
proposals."
Labor's Day Declared.
Labor demands, 1t is stated, the
right in war times to be the recog-
nized defender of wage-earners
against the same forces that In prev
ious wars have made national heces-
sity an excuse for more ruthless
methods. Heretofore, It Is declared,
labor has borne the brunt Of wars
tcTTOT5 anu oeprlVaIlOnS.
Industrial justice is the right of
those living within our country" the
statement continues. with this right
there is associated obligation. In
war time obligation takes the form
of service in defense OF the republic
against enemies. We recognise that
this s.service may be either military or
industrial. both equally essential for
national defense. -
we hold this to be incontrovertible
that the government which demands
that men and women give their labor
power, their bodies or their lives to
its service, should demand also the
service, In the interest of these human
beings, OF all wealth and the products
Of human toil-property.
Protest Against MIlitarisn.
After denouncing influences which
have forced unequal sacrifice from
labor" in previous wars, the state
ment says:
"Our labor movement distrusts and
protests against militarism, because
IL knows that militarism represents
privilege, and Is the tool OF special
interests, exploiters, and despots. i
ouls II opposes nlllIaTlS m,
IL holds that II is the duty OF q ma
tion to defend itself against injustice
and invasion.
"The labor movement demands,
however, that a clear differentiation
be made against military service for
the nation, and police duty, and that
military service should be carefully
from service in indus
trial disputes"
Strong Pledge Made.
The pamphlet concludes with this:
1--WE, the offers OF the National and
Trades Unions of Amer
lea, in national conference assembled
in the Capital OF our nation, hereby
pledge ourselves, in peace or in war,
In stress or In storm, to stand, unre-
servedly by the standards of liberty
and the safety and preservation of
the institutions and ideals OF our
Republic.
ain this solemn hour OF our nations
life IL Is our earnest hope that our
Republic may be safeguarded in its
desire for peace: that our
people may be spared the horrors
and the burdens of war; that they
may have the opportunity to cultivate
and develop the arts of peace, human
and a higher civilization
But, despite all our endeavors and
hopes, should our country be drawn
into the maelstrom of the European
conflict, we, with these ideals OF lib
erty and Justice herein declared as
the indispensable basis for national
policies, offer our services to our coun-
try in every field of activity. to de-
fend. safeguard and preserve the Re !
public of the United States Of America
against its enemies, whomsoever they
may be. and we will call upon our fei. |
and fellow-citizens in |
the holy name of labor, justice. free |
dom and humanity to devotedly and :
give life service"
Labor favors some form of uni |
versal service, IT is declared, because
the present war disclnses the atrue-
gle between the institutions Of democ- |
racy and those OF autocracy.