The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-03-29
u.s.LAB0'!R !! men
CROSS C;l| !|''''' !. ATLANTIC | | \
NTH MESSAGES
Will Tell Allied Workers
What American Unions
Think of War.
PLAN TO VISIT ALL
EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
Propose to Find Out What
Others Feel Regarding
Big Struggle.

New York, March 2S-To make
known to British and French labor the
position OF labor in the United States
with regard to the war a delegation of
nine American labor leaders, with cre-
dentials Of the American Federation of
Labor will sail shortly for England and
France.
This was announced late today by
the American Alliance of Labor and
Democracy, OF which Samuel Gompers
is president.
The American mission, according to a
spokesman for the alliance. will tell
British and French labor leaders that
organized labor in the United States
is committed TO the prosecution of the
war to a successful conclusion and
will not confer with any representa-
tives OF an enemy country.
The sending of the mission is In re-
Spouse, 1t was explained. to repeated
Invitations from British and French
labor leaders to Samuel Gompers.
president Of the federation, to visit
them personally and confer with them
on the question of the position of labor
in the associated nations at war with
Germany. Mr. Gompers was anxious
to go, but felt that his duties required
him to remain here.
Couldn't Attend Meeting.
The invitation received by the fed
Grafton to send delegates to attend the
allied labor conference In London in
February came too late, 1t was, ex-
planned, but it was decided by the fed
Grafton, nevertheless, that a visit Of
American labor representatives to Eng
land and France would serve to show
that organized labor in the lnited
States WAS ready to confer and CO.
operate with its fellow workers abroad.
1t was believed that a personal con-
ference would clear up any possible
Misunderstanding that had arisen
abroad IN regard to the attitude OF Ia
bor here toward the war.
"Our mission abroad" said one OF
1.-THE members of the mission today, rs
not to tell labor of Great Britain ana
France what TO do, but to tell them
ihow American labor stands with re-
gard To the war. We viii tell them
that organized labor in America stands
committed Tor Its progress to suc-
cessful and satisfactory conclusion. we
will tell them that We will not CONFER
with any representative Of an enemy
country. We do not represent any
pacifist or pacifist organization. Ws
will go as official representatives ol
a loyal body Of Americans, represented
through the American Federation u
Labor"
| No Program Of Trip.
While no program has been outlined
for the mission while abroad 1t expects
to meet and talk to allied labor organ
Iizations and with workingmen ant
women generally in England AM
France. The credentials OF the mem
|bers bear the seal OF the federation
land the signatures OF its executive
lofficers.
The members may separate durinl
| the part OF their visit abroad, In orde
to gain q better opportunity to mingi
with British and French workers, lear
first hand their aims and desires an
Ito assure them personally Of the sup
port and sympathy Of the workingme
land women OF America. The missio
expects to be abroad about six weeks
The rnission, officially known az IN
IaAmreican Federation Of Labor mis-
1sfon," is composed OF the f6howing:
James Wilson, president Patfer
Makers League of North Amertcs
I. chairman: John p. Frey, executive Of
|. ificer International Molders' Union {
, North America. secretary; Williai
I Short, president Washington Stat
Federation Of Labor: Miss Meiind
Scott, president Straw Hat Trimmer
land Operatives' union; Miss Agns
:. Nestor, vice president Glove Worker
0 international union; William E. JohI
s Ison, president Of the International a!
s lsociation OF Machinists; George
0 Berry. International Printing Pres
5 linens and Assistants' union; CHEST
s II. Wright. member International T
4 biographical union: Martin r. Rya
8 president Brotherhood of Railway Ca
s men. .s.