Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-04-17
AUGUSTA LABOR men
Rally to Call Of U. S.
Service Reserve

4 splendid gathering representa-
tive of Augusta various labor organ
iZations was present last evening AT
a meeting in the interests OF the
United States Public Service Re-
serve, in Golden Cross hall. A big
number of those present signifled
their intentions of enrolling in re-
serve, to respond to any call for duty
which the government may in the fu-
ture make. p. II. Fitzgerald of this
city, State organizer for the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor, presided as
chairman of the meeting. Mr.. Fitz-
gerald has given three sons to the
service, one of whom lost his life
when the destroyer Jacob Jones went
down. He spoke briefly on the la
Dor question and urged the loyal de-
votions of labor men. The chief adj
dresses We're by State Commissioners
of Labor Roscoe A. Eddy and Hon.
Charles S. Hichborn. director for
Maine of the L. S. Public Service Re-
serve.
Commissioner Eddy strongly en-
dorsed the movement for the enroll
ment of labor and recommended that
the workers make use Of their Or
CARNATIONS to assist in the work of
enrolment. He summed up the gov
ernment's activities in behalf Of la
Dor in the past year and asserted
that in this period it had made I'M
precedented progress. He urged that
his hearers show their gratitude and
their patriotism by their co-opera-
ton. 1T would appear" said Com
missioner Eddy, that labor has been
more fully recognized than ever be-
fore. AS you increase in power so
will your duties and responsibilities
multiply. You must meet them if
You would hold what you have gain
cd"
Mr.. Hichborn told those who have
enrolled or who intend to enroll not
to be disappointed if they should not
be called upon right away. as they
will be notified when they are needed
He explained that at this time the
greatest demand is for labor for the
shipyards. quoting the appeal of Sir
Eric Gcddes for ships. ships, and
still more ships" and of General
Pershington to build n bridge of
ships across the Atlantic" He point
ed out that there must be five mil
lion men constantly at work to keep
the army properly maintained. IN
the last analysis" he said, "the
winning of the war-yea, the fate of
civilization itself-depends on the
brain and Drawn Of American labor
Il appeal to honest labor every
where" said Mr.. Hichborn, "to shout
der this burden Of humanity and
bear it on to glorious victories, I'M
til, the man in jeans here. the boy
in khaki over there. you tramp in
the dust the foes Of liberty" The
war; awful as it is, said Mr.. HIGH
born, has been a great leveller '1ev-
cling up and not down" He pre-
dicted that a new civilization will
result in which the only standard will
be that of honest worth.
Mr.. Hichborn said that he hoped
that within 10 or Is days every work
ing man in Augusta will be enrolled
in the reserve. He said that he had
assured Secretary of Labor Wilson
that Augusta would respond in this
as in all other patriotic undertake
ingS.
Hon. Guy l.. Gannett made brief
remarks and among the labor union
men who responded to Chairman
F'itzSerald's invitation to speak a few
words were Manson Dennis and Will
liam jackson of the Carpenters
Union. Merton Phillips of the Boot
and Shoe Workers Union and presi-
dent Of the Central Labor Union,
Gideon Perham of the Mechanics
Union, Patrick O'Connor of the
Plumbers Union. Albert Mclaughlin
of the Textile Workers and j. r.
Partridge Of the Electrical Workers
organization.