The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1918-04-12

a thorough discussion of the financial
standing of the organization, a mo-
ton was made that the General Secre-
tary Treasurer be empowered to pur-
chase $25, 100000 of Liberty Bonds of
the issue of April 6, 1918. This is
the first money that has been expend-
ed by the International for Liberty
Bonds.
The following farewell letter was
received and read from International
President, VIM. Fl. Johnston.
Washington, D. c., March rs, 1918
TO the Membership of the
International Association
of Machinists:
Greeting: Permit me TO address you
on this occasion in very personal
and fraternal spirit
In short time | shall leave the
United States on an exceptionally i'm
portant mission to our brothers and
fellow trade unionists "over there"
President Samuel Gompers, of the
American Federation OF Labor, has
honored me, in company with several
others who are executive officers in
their respective unions, with an as
signment of great responsibility. This
duty | have unhesitatingly accepted
Our mission is to carry message
of good will, of fraternity and CO.
operation from the labor movement
of America to the workers and the
people generally of the British Isles
and of France.
We shall do our utmost to impart
to them the spirit both of our Amer
lean trade unionists and of all the peo-
pie Of our Republic in this critical
period of struggle by civilized ma
tions TO preserve liberty, justice, DEM
ocracy and government by law rather
than government by an autocracy or
dynasty.
During my visit l shall diligently
endeavor to study and closely ex-
anime every possible phase of the in
dustrial situation in the United King
dom and France so that on my re-
turn | shall be better able to advise
with you on our future problems.
1t will be my purpose to observe
how officials f,,no4;o, ,,~;4l, IL.
sponsible executives of the trade un-
ions; how the standards of health.
safety and education are being main
tanned during the war; what the pros
poets are to return to old trade ethics
after the war; what is being done or
contemplated on the question of So
called "dilution of labor" and what
steps are being taken to protect wom-
en workers from undue hardships,
over-eXertion or possible exploitation.
shall be especially observant of
the systems in vogue for the rehabih-
tation, vocational re-education and re-
employment of the wounded soldiers
and sailors. The general industrial
safety of all the people, after this
great struggle is over, must be con-
served.
In addition shall carefully inquire
into the disposition of the people on
the future conduct and control of
great national industries, and what
the prospects are to maintain and ex-
tend public ownership of public utili-
ties.
1t is not possible to state with ex-
actness how many weeks l shall be
away. During my absence Vice Presi-
dent Jack Anderson will be Acting
President and in charge of the office.
He will be assisted by Executive Board
Member Thomas J. Savage.
/ trust you may each and all be
blessed with many opportunities to
demonstrate to your friends, neigh
bors and to the officials of our gov
ernment the value of the splendid pa
triotic cooperation which dominates
the real spirit and genius of all mem-