The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1918-06-14
PRESIDENT WARNS
LABOR AGAINST
STRIKES IN WAR
Wilson Says Disputes Might Cost
U. S. Victory.
SENDS WIRE TO ST. PAUL
Executive in Message to Convention
at ST. Paul Says Workers Are
Bearing Share of National Bur-
den NobIy.

Washington, June 12.-President
Wilson on Tuesday telegraphed to the
American Federation of Labor and the
American Alliance of Labor and Dem
ocracy, in convention at st. Paul,
Mimi, urging renewed efforts OF labor
in support ~ the war program.
No controversy between capital ana
labor should be permitted to interfere
with the prosecution of the war, the
president said. To Samuel Gompers,
head of the American Federation of
Labor, the president telegraphed:
please convey to the thirty-eighth
annual convention Of the American
Federation of Labor my cOngratula-
tious upon the patriotic support which
the members Of your organization nave
given TO the program of the nation III
the last year not only in the trenches
and on the battlefield where so
many of our younger men are now in
uniform, but equally in the factories
and the shipyards and workshops OF
the country, where the army is sup
ported and supplied by the loyal indus
try of your skilled craftsmen.
Crucial Months of War.
"We are facing the hardships of the
crucial months of the struggle. The
nation can face them confidently, as
Sured now that no intrigueS of the en-
envy can ever divide eur unity by
means of those Industrial quarrels and
class dissensiOns which he has tried so
diligently to fOment.
"In these days of trial and self-sacri-
fee the American WOrlzingman is bear
ing his share of the national burden
nObly. In the new world of peace and
freedom which America is fighting to
establish his place will be as hOnOred
and his service as gratefully es-
teemed."
In his telegram to Robert Maisel of
the Alliance for Labor and Democracy
the president said:
''The American Alliance for Labor
and Democracy has my earnest hope
for a successful convention that will
give added strength to future activi-
ties Called into being to combat ig-
nOrance and misunderstanding, skill
fully played upon by dislOyal influences,
your organization has done a great and
necessary work. 1t has aided material
ly in promoting the unity that pro-
ceeds from exact understanding and is
today valid and important part of the
great machinery that cO-ordinates the
energies of America in the prosecution
of just and righteous war.
War Can Be Lost in America.
'Trhis war can be lost in America as
well as on the fields of France, and i'll
considered or unjustified interruptions
of tfe essential labor of the country
may make it impossible to win it.
mo controversy between capital and
labor should be suffered to interrupt
it until every instrumentality set up by
the government for it's amicable settle
ment has been employed and it's inter
the government has set up instrument
talities wholly fair and adequate.
'"This duty to avoid such Interrupt
lions of industry wherever they can be
avoided without the actual sacrifice OF
essential rights rests upon the employ
er as imperatively as upon the work
man. No man can afford to do injus-
tice at any time, but at this time JUS
tfce is of the essence of national de-
Tense and contests for any sort of adj
vantage that at other times would be
justified may now jeopardize the very
life of the nation