Evening star., 1917-03-13
Union MEN PLEDGE
SERVICES TO NATION
Declaration of Principles
Adopted at Conference of Or
ganized Labor Delegates.
TO AID IN PEACE OR WAR

Representing more than 100000
skilled worknen in all the trades. labor
has offered its organized forces to the
government for services in every field
OF activity if. despite all endeavors and
hopes. the United States should be
drawn into war
This is labor's attitude as set forth
in a declaration of principles adopted
unanimously at a conference here yes
terday of its representatives called to
Determine and announce the part it
would claim in national defense plans.
While expressing the earnest hope
that peace may be maintained. it was
declared that, should the United States
be drawn into the war, labor is ready
TO offer its services to the country lin
every field of activity
Demands for Safeguards.
The declaration of principles. drawn
UP by the executive council of the
American Federation of Labor. also
sets forth demands which labor holds
to be fundamentals in safeguarding the
workers in war and in peace. These
demands are:
That industrial service should be
deemed equally meritorious as military
service: that service should conform
to trade union standards and that or
ganized labor should be represented on
ali agencies determining and admin
istering policies of national defense
and controlling publicity:
probably will be made to President
Wilson by Samuel Gompers. president
of the American Federation, VINO also
is a member of the Nationai DeIehss
principles will be sent to organized
workers throughout the country.
The conference, called and presided
over by Mr. Gompers, was attended by |
more than $50 delegates from national
and international trade unions ami
lated with the federation and hve unani-
lated organizations, including the big |
railroad brotherhoods.
Text of Pledge.
The concluding paragraph of the
statement. pledging labor's support to
the nation. follows:
I'VE 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 oy
the standards CT liberty and the safety
and preservation of the institutions
and ideals of our republic.
I'm this solemn hour of our nations
life it is our earnest hope that our re-
public may be safeguarded in its un-
swerving desire for peace; that our
people may be spared the horrors and
burdens of war; that they may have
the opportunity to cultivate and de-
velop the arts of peace. human brother
hood and higher civilization.
But despite all our endeavors and
hopes. should our country be drawn
into the malestrom of the European
conflict we. with these ideals of lib
erty and justice herein declared. as the
indispensable basis for national poll |
cies. offer our services to our country |
in every field of activity to defend, |
safeguard and preserve the republic of
the United States of America against
its enemies, whomsoever they may be.
and we call upon our fellow workers
anu fellow citizens in the holy name of
labor, justice, freedom and humanity
to devotedly and patriotically give like
service"