Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1918-06-14
ORGANIZED LABOR AND THE
WAR
Show Me the Union Man and | Will
Show You the Patriot
By John Bush.

ment Is absolutely false ana WltnouC
foundation. We are in full harmony
with the democratic government un-
der which we are living and are CRATE
ful for the protection we receive un-
der this government, and have always
rendered respectful obedience to its
laws.
When war was declared the union
men were among the first to respond
to the call of the Presidnet for SOL
diers, sailors, ship builders and NUM-
ton workers. The union men at once
realized that the destiny of the ma
ton rested on the shoulders of the
laboring men, and they were the first
to see that men were not responding
to the call of the ship yards and mu-
milton plants with the promptness
that the exigencies of the hour de-
manded, and it is the hearty, prompt
and united cooperation of organized
labor that the President should, in a
great measure, thank for the records
being made in ship building today.
When a torpedo boat destroyer of the
Ward type can be completed in less
than 18 days on the ways, as was
done at Mare Island recently, much
credit is due some one, and placing
the credit where it belongs is no diff
ficult task.
When the fighting union men began
to note the great effort the govern
ment was making to secure ships,
and the vast amount of money being
spent for that purpose, and that the
ship building contractors were hold
ing up the government for big pro-
fits and at the same time refusing to
make working conditions such that
efficient men could be secured, they
set to work to clear up the situation.
They told the employers they must
make conditions such that men could
work and demand wages sufficient to
live, not merely to exist upon. They
secured what they asked for by strlk-
ing and fighting for their rights. Now
the ship yards are crowded with the
most efficient men in the world, and
the people and the papers who SO
loudly denounced the ship yard
strikers are boasting Of their eff
cheney and speed.
Much wisdom was displayed by
the officials in having labor represent
atives visit the front and have i'm
pressed upon them the' Importance Of
getting troops across, and providing
them with supplies.
The United States is in this great
war for the purpose of securing and
perpetuating the principles OF De-
mocracy throughout the world. The
laboring men and their sons are
fighting in the trenches and at home.
Of course, owing to the fairness of
the draft, where there is no chance
for any one to escape or get by, rich
mems sons are also in the service.
But the history of past wars shows
that those who achieve success and
honor have come from the laboring
class.
When union working men strike or
threaten strike in war time they are
hooted at by those who are making
big profits off their labor. They are
told of the conditions of our boys at
the front and how disloyal they are
to complain and that they should be
glad to put up with any sort of con-
ditions here at home to help win the
war.
The scripture says: Though |
speak with the tongues of men and
of angels, and have not charity | am
become as sounding brass, or tink-
ling cymbal," and it is the employer
who is always referring to the boys
in the trenches and of loyalty and
patriotism and yet is too miserly or
not charitable enough to pay to his
employees a living wage and make
conditions such that workmen can en-
dure them, who has become as
sounding brass or tinkling cymbal.
1t is upon the laboring man that
the government is depending for the
purchase of thrift stamps and Liberty
bonds. They cannot do this if they
do not secure a wage that they can
live upon and educate their children
as Americans should.
Show me a man who has not cOur-
age enough to demand a wage for
his labor that will enable him to live
as Washington, Jefferson and Lin
coin intended that the American
people should live, and l will show
you a Stacker in war time. Show me
the man who has the courage to join
hands with his fellow Workmen and
demand better conditions, who will
90 out on a strike and take his place