Bisbee daily review., 1918-01-02
war
DECLARES THE
PRESIDENT OF
FEDERATION
Samuel Gompers, in New
Years Message to Labor,
Asks Complete Co-opera-
ton With the Government.
CBy Review Leased Wire)

WASHINGTON. Jan. In a new
years greeting 10 all organized labor
Samuel GOmDers. president of the
American Federation OF Labor, calls
upon Representatives and organizers
20 MAKE plain TO their fellows the issues
involved in the war and the Oblisa-
tion that devolves upon all citizens
He also emphasizes the importance of
seeing TO il that the spirit and meth
DDS of democracy are maintained AZ
home while the country is fighting
10 establish them in International rel
atiOns
War means victory for cur cause
or danger 10 the very existence Of
cur nation says the address. With
our nation at stake. individuals can
not interpose opposition 10 the war
? war declared by the will OF the IA
tons representatives Under the ex-
igencies OF war. opposition to the war
declared by constituted authority be
comes treason
While there IL true there is even
more than ordinary need for the main
tenance OF the rights of men and wOm-
en- and for careful scrutiny ard the
fullest discussion OF policies and
methods before their adoption. The
time for labor to interpose lis needs
and contentious is while policies are
in the making.
AUtocrstic Force.
The fighting and the concrete is
sues OF the var are so far removed from
the people OF our country that not ali
Of OaE citizens have a fun un5ers and
ing OF the issues involved An IN
deTstanding OF the principles OF auto
cratic force. which the central powers
desire TO substitute for the real prin-
eiples of freedom. makes clear TO all
citizens of this republic the effect OF
our possible defeat upon their own
lives and activities.
In addition 10 the fundamental
principles al issue, labor has an ad-
diticnal interest in the war This
war is in the last analysis a peoples
Esr-labOr's war. The final outcome
VIII be determined in the factories,
the mills. shops. the mines. the farms.
the industries and the transportation
agencies of the various countries.
That group OF countries which can
most successfully organize its agen-
eies Of production and transportation
and which can furnish the most ade-
ouate aud effective agencies with
which 10 conduct the war. viii win.
The workers have a part in this
war cO-equal with the soldiers and
sailors on the ships and the trenches.
Prediction Indispensable.
Continuous production is an indis-
pensable prerequisite TO production of
necessary war supplies The govern
ment, as well as the workers them
selves. is vitally interested in main
tanning such conditions that there
shall be no occasion for interruption
in production
The chief responsible agents Of
the government have shown a desire
10 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 situa-
ton
Mr.. Gompers quotes at length from
the declaration adopted by labOr's re-
personalities meeting here on March
18th and from the resolutions of the
Buffalo convention of the American
Federation of Labor outlining the at
titude of organized labor toward war
work