The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-08-21
FRENCH MAKE ANOTHER DRIVE
Is MILES WIDE, 2 MILES DEEP
LABOR OPPOSES WORK.
OR-F|CHT AMENDMENT
FEDERATION OFFICIAL AL
LEGES ATTCAK ON LOYAL
TY OF WORKMEN

aShington, Aug. EO.--OrganiZcu
labor's emphatic opposition to the
work or fight amendment to the
new man-power bill extending the
draft ages was presented to the
house military committee today by
Frank Morrison, secretary OF the
American Federation of Labor.
Supporting the recent protest OF
Samuel Gompers, Mr. Morrison de
clared that the provision inserted by
the senate committee authorizing
withdrawal of deferred classification
from men absent from work with
out cause, was an attack upon the
LOYALTY of American workmen, and
a "conscription OF labor in a COW
ert' way which would be resented
in every corner OF the country.
Morrison suggested that special
interests were secretly pressing anti
labor legislation.
After discussing problems OF ed
ucating drafted youths, with Dr. c.
X. Mann, of the war departments
committee on education, the COM
mittee closed its hearings and be-
gan work on the bill. 1t probably
will be reported in few days for
immediate consideration in the
house.
The senate will take up the meas
ure Thursday.
Mr.. Morrison referred to the
probable international effect OF the
work or fight provision.
Argument by Morrison.
at would make the world and our
allies believe our men are slackerS,
he said. 1T is not asked for by gov
ernment, which is not exercised over
industrial conscription. Who is
asking for this legislation--is it the
Colorado Fuel Company or the
great steet trust?' lie asked if, i'll
case the amendment is adopted, sol
diers of democracy would be used
as strike breakers, Citing the
pledge Of organized labor made at
the beginning OF the war he added:
Labor has kept faith. Labor con-
scription is not asked by the gov
ernment, and is not necessary. This
is the United States not Germany.
IF enacted, the amendment would
be used by every unfair proiiteerlng
employer. 1t is being used today by
the Bethlehem Company. Under
stand, | want it made clear that we
do not protest against the men go
ing back to fight, but against plac-
ing an employer in position to-
brand his employees As slackers."
In Case of Strikes.
In case OF strikes, Mr.. Morrison
said, very few cases would occur
where the men would refuse to work
pending adjustment by the war la
Dor board. If the men should re-
fuse to work. he said. the existing
draft regulations could be invoked
and that further legislation is un-
necessary.
Representative Harrison of Nir-
giiia called attention TO Secretary
Bakers statement denying that the
senate amendment is labor con
scription plain, but Mr.. Morrison i'll
sisted that il would he conscription
and would be used as such BY un-
fair employers. Representative Har-
rison declared if reasons for eXemp-
ton of workmen cease to exist, they
should return to their original draft
status, and in the argument that fol-
lowed so many members of the COM
mittee joined that Chairman Dent
urged them to permit Mr. Morrison
10 conclude and postpone their ar
yuments until the committee met in
executive session.
1T is conscription poorly cam
ouflaged,' Representative Lunn OF
New York interjected, while in 4
lively exchange between others and
Mr.. Morrison. Representative
of South Carolina declared
hat most men are drafted to fight
md that the exempted workmen
would be forced to fight only when
hey would not work.
Representative Greene of Yer
mont observed that men drafted to
light cannot strike, while workmen
CONTINUED on Page 81