South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-02
LABOR To WIN
WAR COMP ERS
A. F. of l. Head Declares Ma
ton Organizing Its Indus
try Best is Victor.

WASHINGTON. Jan. .. - In a
New Years greeting TO all organic
ed labor, Samuel Gompers. presi-
dent of the American Federation
of Labor, calls upon representatives
and organizers to make plain TO
their fellows the issues involved in
the war and the obligation that de-
wolves upon all citizens. He also
emphasizes the Importance OF see
ing TO il that the spirit and methods
of democracy are fixed at home
while the country is fighting to es-
tablish them in international rela
lions
War means victory for our cause.
or danger 10 the very existence Of
our nation" says the address. With
our nation at the stake. individuals
cannot interpose opposition TO the
war-a war declared by the will of
the nations representatives. Under
the exigencies OF war. opposition to
the war declared by constituted au-
thOrity becomes treason.
Must Protect Rights at Home.
While this is true, there is even
more than ordinary need for the
maintenance of the rights of men
and women, and for careful scru-
tiny and the fullest discussion OF
policies and methods before their
adoption. The time for labor 20
interpose its needs and contentious
is while policies are in the max
ing. -"
The lighting and the concrete
issues of the war are so far removed
from the people Of our country thai
not all of our citizens have a full
understanding of the issues involv-
ed. An understanding of the prin-
ciples of autocratic force. which the
central powers desire TO substitute
for the real principles of freedom
makes clear TO all citizens Of this
republic the effect OF our possible
defeat upon their own lives and &C
tivitieS.
'In addition to the fundamental
principles at issue, labor has an ad-
ditional interest in the war. This
war is in the last analysis. a peoples
war-labor's war. The finai out
come will be determined in the fac
tories, the mills, the shops. the
mines, the farms, the industries and
the transportation agencies of the
various countries. That group OF
countries which can most success
fully organize its agencies of pro-
duction and transportation, and
which can furnish the most ade-
quate and effective agencies with
which to conduct the war. will win.
The workers have a part in the
war co-equal with the sailors and
soldiers in the trenches and on the
ships.
Continuous production is an in
dispense BILE prerequisite TO produs-
ton of necessary war supplies. The
government as we'll as the workers
themselves. is vitality interested in
maintaining such conditions that
there shall be no occasion for inter-
ruption in production.
Both Sides to BE Fair.
The chief responsible agents Of
the government have shown a desire
to be fair, and an understanding Of
the human elements involved in this
problem. The organized labor move
ment has also shown an equally
broad understanding and grasp Of
the situation"
Mr.. Gompers quotes at length
from the declaration adopted by Ia
boris Representatives. meeting here
on March 70, and from the resOlu-
ton of the Buffalo convention Of
the American Federation of Labor.
outlining the attitude OF organized
labor toward war work