Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1918-06-14
Am. Federation of
Labor in Session
LARGE GATHERING OF LABOR
REPRESENTATIVES
The st. Paul Meeting Well Attended
Patriotism and Enthusiasm
Mark the Session

Mark the Session
The annual meeting of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor in session at
St. Paul, is one of the most success
full in point of the number in attend
ance and loyalty and enthusiasm dis
played, of the many held by this
great body.
Preceding the opening Of the con-
vention there was parade through
the downtown streets, in which SOL
diers and sailors, labor representa-
tives and state and city officials par
ticipated.
George w. Lawson, Secretary of
the Minnesota Federation of Labor,
acted as Temporary Chairman. Ad-
dresses of welcome were delivered by
Mayor f. C. Hodgson and Secretary
of State julius A. Schmahl.
The opening address by Pres. Com
pers was an oratorical masterpiece
and received the undivided attention
of the audience, who manifested their
approval with frequent cheers and
applause.
Mr.. Gompers called upon the dele
gates to be prepared to make un-
tiring sacrifices, urging maximum
production of war materials and de-
claring that success of the allied
cause was imperative to preserve the
freedom, justice and liberty of the
world.
After pledging labor's support that
the cause of freedom, justice and hap
piness may be maintained, the speaker
declared:
"Autocracy, militarism and its
most dangerous supporting weapon,
irresponsible diplomacy, must perish;
democracy, justice, freedom and alb
solute confidence between Govern
ments and people must be established
and triumph.
"The struggle means so much for
the world that if we should lose, the
lights of freedom in the world will
go out.
"For the republic of the United
States and her cause we are ready to
give everything, but for profit moth
ing"
But there is no such possibility as
losing the war, Mr.. Gompers said, be-
cause of the united efforts of labor,
military and Government officials.
"Workers in war production are
practically a part of the fighting
force" the report declares. "NO ac-
ton should be taken in the shops or
on the field not in harmony with the
purposes of the war. No strike should
be inaugurated which cannot be justi-
fled to the man risking his life on the
firing line in France.
"a crisis in world affairs has been
reached. The battle lines of our allies
in France are menaced by the forces
that represent autOcratic Govern
ment.
"Every worker has right to be
freed from all avoidable uncertainties
of employment, both from those
arising through poor labor admins
tration and from mismanagement in
production and the efforts of specula-
ton in raw materials or finished pro-
ducts.
an looking toward the future we
feel keenly that the nature of social
development will depend largely upon
the principles which workers shall de-
mand as the basis for relationships.
eve are each day building labor's
house of tomorrow. If that struct-
ure is to endure the test it must be
founded upon the bed rock principles
of equality and democracy in rela-
tiOns between men.
"The whole nation is in the war.
The spirit of war activity and organ
ization is essentially social. The ma
tional organism is at stake. AS a
war necessity we are seeking the
principles which will assure the most
efficient cooperation. This co-Opera-
ton must come from the two primary
forces of society-the possessors of
creative labor power and controllers
of capital"
Discussing the question of work
mems compensation, the report noted
the development of favorable senti-
ment for the enactment of "health-
insurance laws" and declared the or
oanized labor movement of America