The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-11-12
PRESIDENT ASKS :
LABOR TO ASSIST
IN WINNING WAR
CONTINUED From Page

L
peoples if it is used by free peo-
ple."
You know he continued, chow
many limitations come to us from
one of the central powers that it is
more anxious for peace than the chief
Central power. and you know that it
means that the people in\that Central
power know that If the war ends as it
stands, they will in effect themselves
be vassals of Germany, notwithstand-
ing that their populations are COM
pounded of all the peoples Of that
part of the world, and notwithstand-
ing the fact that they do not wish
in their pride and proper spirit to be
absorbed and dominated"
Referring in another part of his
speech to Russia, the president said:
May I not say it is amazing to me
that any group of people should be SO
ill informed as to suppose, as some
groups in Russia apparently suppose
how any reforms planned in the in
terest of the. people can live in the
presence of Germany powerful
enough to undermine or overthrow
them by intrigue or force. Any body
of free men that compounds with the
German government. compounds for
it's own destruction.
President Wilson's entrance to the
convention hall was the signal for a
tremendous outburst of cheers from
the 5000 persons assembled to hear
him.
Samuel Gompers. president Of the
Federation, in introducing President
Wilson, referred to him aa "this man
of destiny, spokesman for freedom,
interpreter of the aims and spirit of
our time, leader of thought and &C
ton among the nations of the EARTH
Mr.. Wilson began by saying he es-
termed it privilege and an honor
to be present, as it 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 in this moment
Of counsel to remind ourselves how
the war came about he continued.
This is the last decisive issue issue
between the old principle OF power
and the new principle of freedom
He. said "the war was started by
Germany; her authorities deny it,
but I am willing to await the verdict
of history on the statement I have
just made.'
Germany had a place in the sun, 81
the president continued. why was
she not satisfied? What more does
she want?"
The president described Germany
expansion as a nation, tfYou have one
answer to the question why she was
not satisfied in her methods of COM
petition" he said, telling how the
government of Germany had .Iaid
hold on industry and controlled COM
petition. He said it was not only in
dustrial control of labor, but political
control as well.
signed to run the force of threat down
the TANKS Of half dozen other ma
lions.
The president referred to Germany's
map of Europe and said that ''ii
she can keep that, her power can dis
tunb the world as long as she keeps
1t provided the present authorities
that control Germany can continue to
control
Power cannot be used against free
people when the power is controlled
by the people," he added: a state
ment which the audience loudly APP
plauded. Germany Is determined
that the political power Of the world
shall belong to her. It is amazing to
me that any group should be 50 mis-
informed as In circles Of Russia, as
to believe that they can live without
danger from Germany.
IT oppose not the feeling Of pa
cifists, but. their stupidity. The pa
cifists do not know how to, get peace.
but do"
The president referred to the send
ing Of Col House to Europe as 'fhav-
ing sent greater lover of peace than
any man in the world, but I didn't
send him to negotiate peace; sent
hi INTO determine how the war is tc
be won
Taking UP the labor question in the
United States. the president said:
eff we are true friends Of freedom
we will see that the power and pro-
ductivity of the country shall he kept
at maximum. Nobody shall be al
lowed to stand in the way. The gov
eminent won't keep them from doing
this, but the spirit of the American
people viii.
I'VE must stand COgetA0E nlSHC du0
day until the war Is over" said the
president, adding that while we are
lighting for freedom we must ensure
the freedom of labor"
1.-THE horses that kick over the
traces must be put in corral" ne
said.
The president praised the work OF
Samuel Gompers and the labor lead
er's support of the government.
Nobody has the right" said the
president, ''to stop the processes OF
labor until all methods of Cancellation
have been exhausted. And do not
speak to you alone. I have found
labor in many instances more reason
able than the other side"
The president appealed for co-opera-
ton. He said he would like to see
all the critics exported"
He said I'VE must get down to bust
ness and everyone must do the right
thing"
I'VE can never show ourselves
Americans by going off In separate
groups to talk by ourselves. but by CO.
operating in a common enterprise
which is to raise the spirit Of the
world from bondage" he declared.
The president denounced organiza-
lions that. he said. are trying to de-
stroy the law. but in every case. he
said, they should he dealt justice.