Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1918-07-19
Should Celebrate
GOMPERS ADVOCATES LABOR
DAY OBSERVANCE
General Observance Especially Urged
This Year.-PatriOtic Programs
Should Be Arranged

The American Federation of Labor
has gone on record as being strongly
favorable to the celebration of Labor
Day every year = and particularly
this year. There has been some
question as to whether a celebration
of Labor Day was advisable this
year. According to the highest labor
leaders, such celebration this year is
particularly fitting and ought to be
carried out.
The following communication from
Samuel Gompers, president of the A.
F. of L. was read at the last meeting
of the Newark Trades and Labor AS
sembly regarding the action of the
recent st. Paul convention relative
to the observance of Labor Day this
year:
To Secretaries of City Central
Bodies and A. F. of L. Organizers:
Dear Sirs and Brothers:-The st.
Paul Convention of the American
Federation of Labor unanimously
adopted the recommendation of the
Executive Council regarding the cele-
bration of Labor Day each year, but
particularly it's celebration on Labor
Day, the first Monday in September
1918. For general information, the
declaration of the convention is
quoted as follows:
Since the recognition of the first
Monday in September as Labor's
Day, the celebration of that day has
increasingly become observed as La
boris special festival.
The first Monday in September,
1917, being the first Labor Day after
our country entered the war, its cele--
bration assumed a more subdued and
serious tone.
The first Monday in September,
1918, will be the second Labor Day
since our Republic has thrown its
strength and resources in the titanic
world struggle.
No one can dispute that Labor has
done and is Loyalty doing it's part in
support of the Government and our
common cause.
1t is but fitting that Labor's Day,
1918, should be observed in a distinct
i've manner. We, therefore, recon-
mend that organized labor in every
section of the country observe Labor
Day, 1918, by special ceremonies and
for the day be:
"WIN THE WAR FOR FREEDOM"
The convention by unanimous vote
declared that the matter of expense
connected with the Labor Day cere-
monies and demonstrations for uni
forms, flags, banners, automobiles
and transportation was negligible as
compared with the advantages which
come from the spreading of informa-
ton, the creation of intensified inter
est in Labor and the world fight for
freedom and justice now going on;
that it would in any case not only be
we'll worth the investment, but might
prove self-supporting and would be
valuable contribution by which the
present war for freedom, justice and
democracy can be won.
In view of the fact that the time
between the conventions declaration
and Labor Day is so short, l am con-
strained to issue this circular at once
to organized labor, urging the general
observance of Labor Day, Monday,
September End, in every community
throughout America, and that appro-
pirate demonstrations and services
beftting the day, the cause of labor
and the cause of the world struggle,
be observed.
All organizations are urged to car
ry out the above suggestions that this
Labor Day celebration shall become
general in all localities; that it may
constitute a tremendous continent
wide demonstration of the loyalty OF
Americas workers, their determlna-
tion to stand by the principles of or
ganized labor and to maintain the in
stitutions of the republic of the United
States and the holy cause in which,
with our great allies, we are engaged;
Please advise me what is proposed
to be done in your locality and also
submit a report to me after the Labor
Day celebration is completed. Local
newspaper or labor paper accounts OF
the celebrations will also be appreci-
ated. Fraternally yours,
SAM'L GOMPERS,
President, A. F. of L.