New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-13
Conference of Leaders at
Capital Fails to Indorse
Wilson's Policies
Public Is Warned
Against Exploiters
Railroad Brotherhoods Rep
resented; Resolution
Opposed by Many

labor, speaking here to-day through a
conference participated in by the heads
of the four railway brotherhoods and
the 112 national and international or
CARNATIONS affiliated with the American
Federation of Labor, offered its SER
vices to the country ain every field OF
activity to defend, safeguard and pre-
serve the United States against all its
enemies, whomsoever they may be-"
Directly, the conference represented q
100000 organized workmen; indirectly,
the entire 30,O0O,O00 wage earners of
the country.
Despite the ringing declarations,
which concluded a resolution OF more
than 1000 words, the conference
proved a disappointment to those who
had expected that the labor leaders
would lay definite plans for the active
cooperation of the workingman with
tn. factory owners, who are already
well organized for the national de-
fence. Instead the delegates failed
even to give Endorsement Of President
Wilson's foreign policies. No commit
tee TO give life to the declarations was
appointed.
The sole work of the conference,
from which the public was strictly eX-
cluded and which lasted until late to-
night, was the passage of the resolu-
ton. OF this document fewer than 2oo
words are devoted to what labor will
do; the rest is given over to what
labor expects in case of war.
Must Watch Exploiters
Early in the resolution comes this
statement: Wage earners must IN war
time keep one eye on the explorers at
home and the other upon the enemy
threatening the national government.
Later on, reference is again made 10
the "forces which in former wars have
made national necessity an excuse for
the exploitation of the masses"
IL is declared that 1.-The government
which demands that men and women
give their labor power. their bodies or
their lives to its service" should make
this demand only when accompanied
by increased guarantees and safeguards
and when the profits which the en-
ployer shall obtain from the industry
in which they are engaged shall nave
been limited to fixed percentages.
A statement issued by the executive
council of the Federation said the reso-
luton was unanimous, but this seems
to have been due to Federation Gus
tom. It is known that strong opposi-
ton was offered during the debate 70
the adoption of the resolutions. Inc
number Of opponents was small, now
ever. Chief of them was Andrew
Furuseth. head of the Seamen's Union
of America, which the record shows TO
have 10000 members.
at is nothing short of declaration
of war" asserted Furuseth, after the
conference adjourned, though ne was
unable to point out any paragraph in
the report supporting such state
ment.
Labor Support Pledged
The concluding paragraphs, pledging
labor's support to the nation, follow:
1--WE, the officers Of the national and
international trade unions of America
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 unreservedly by
the standards of liberty and the safety
and preservation of the institutions and
ideals of our Republic.
"In this solemn hour of our nations
life, it is our earnest hope that our
Republic may be safeguarded in its un-
swerving desire for peace; that our
people may be spared the horrors and
the burdens of war, and that they may
have the opportunity to cultivate and
develop the arts of peace, human broth
erhood 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 liberty
and justice herein declared as the in
dispensable basis for national policies,
offer our services to our country in
every field of activity TO defend, safe
guard and preserve the Republic of the
United States of America against its
enemies, whomsoever ther may be, and
we call upon our fellow workers and
( fellow citizens in the holy name of la
Dor. justice, freedom and humanity to
I devotedly and periodically give like
/ service"
Should Determine Course
] Modern war, according to the state
ment, includes contests between work
shops, factories, the land, financial and
3 transportation resources, therefore, ait
/ is fitting that the masses OF the people
of the United States should take coun-
| sci and determine" the course they
/ shall pursue.
"War has never put stop to the
I necessity for struggle to establish and
maintain industrial rights. Wage earn
ers in war time must, as has been said.
keep one eye on the exploiters at home
and the other upon the enemy threat
ming the national government.
Since the masses perform indispen-
sable service. il follows that they should
have voice in determining the con-
ditions upon which they give service"
II proceeds on behalf of the workers
of America 70 make known their be-
liefs, their demands and their pur-
poses"
The demands include "the right in
war times 70 be the recognized de-
fender of wage earners against the
same forces which in former wars have
made national necessity an excuse for
more ruthless methods"
Pay Should Be Just
Conditions Of work and pay In gov
eminent employment and in all occupa-
tions, IL is asserted, should conform to
the principles of human welfare and