Evening journal., 1918-02-20
AMERICAN LABOR AND
THE AMERICAN FLAG
lFrom The New York SUM

The prompt return Of the carpenters
to their work In the shipyards on Gov
eminent jobs illustrates once more the
tremendous moral influence which the
President Of the United States can ex-
ert without going TO Congress for enab-
ling legislation. Among the several
trades engaged in the construction OF
the vessels the country so urgently
needs, a single trade refused to await
and abide by the decisions Of the Ship
building Wage Adjustment Board The
carpenters believed that they had GER
tain grievances in the matter Of wages
and hours, grievances which in ordin-
ary times would perhaps Justify them
in striking for better conditions. Their
union held out after the other unions
had agreed to the process of adjustment
proposed by the Government In doing
this they put elves-unconscious-
ly, perhaps, to themselves-ln the posi-
tion Of giving aid and comfort to the
enemy.
The odium Of this position was ex-
hibited in President Wilson's very for
chile letter TO the president OF the Uni
ted Brotherhood Of Carpenters and
Joiners. mo body OF men," wrote Mr.
Wilson TO Mr.. Hutcheson, have the
moral right in the present circum-
stances Of the nation TO strike until
every method OF adjustment has been
tried to the limit. Will you cooperate
or obstruct9"
Mr.. Hutcheson at once decided TO CO.
operate The carpenters and ioiners OF
his union went back TO their Govern
ment work in the shipyards. They, as
individual American citizens, loyal to
their country and their flag, were
thereby released from the false position
in which overeagerness on the part OF
some Of their leaders had placed them
and at the same time the position Of
the Government I'm dealing with similar
conflicts between the personal interests
and the patriotic duty Of organized la
Dor was vastly strengthened by the
lesson which Mr.. Wilson read so ener-
getically and so properly.
10 is the labor in our shipyards and
factories, not less than the fighting OF
the men in the trenches and aboard the
submarines chasers, that is going TO
win or lose the war for America. Great
Britain learned the same thing long
ago. The recognition Of this fact, in its
vital Importance to the United States,
is becoming more general every day as
events proceed in this country. The
spirit of cooperation is apparent both
on the side Of organized labor and on
that OF the Government as the employ
er, direct or indirect, OF that labor. II
Is not likely that President Wilson will
have soon again to say so sharp but
so true a thing
on the side Of labor the red white
aud blue colors appear bright and
strong in the declaration with which
the executive council Of the American
Federation Of Labor closed its session
at Washington day before yesterday.
"This is a time,' says the council,
"when all workers must sOberly face
the grave importance Of their daily
work and decide industrial matters
with a conscience mindful OF the world
relations Of each act" Again: "This is
labors war. It must be won by labor,
and every stage in the lighting and the
final victory must be to count for hui
manity. That result only can Justify the
awful sacrifice" And still again
workers are loyal. They want TO do
their share for the Republic and for
winning the war"
The sun likes these words. They
breathe the American spirit, and they
come from a source both conscious OF
It's power and sincere in its conviction
that labor has but one choice, that
choice being between a victory for free
democracy and a triumph for Prussian
militaristic autocracy, lasting in its ef-
feet on the destiny OF every civilized
nation, including our own; degrading
and subversive Of all that the American
heart holds dearest
We congratulate the authors Of the
memorable Declaration Of Loyalty is