El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-08-15
COMPERS' PARTY WILL STIFFEN
THE LABOR SPINE OF OUR ALLIES

PRESIDENT WILSON is undoubtedly IN full accord with
the plan Of American labor leaders attend the British
Trades Union conference in London three days session.
beginning September II afterward tour England
France and Italy for conferences with labor leaders OF those
The strength Of the allied countries lies IN their labor
forces and must be admitted the weakness Of the Euro
pesn allies lies IN their labor forces also especially IN those
elements which have been affected by socasuc eoctaes
chain stronger than its weakest link but the labor
chain Of the allied countries somewhat stronger han us
weak links Il IS desirable TO keep the weak INKS l1o
breaking and TO keep strong links from being weakened
IN the visit Of the American labor leaders to the British
Trades Union conference there IS more sgnanee tnan
appears On the surface of the Washington and London dis
patches The British Trades Union conference, at its last
previous session developed marked sentiment against
tinuation Of the There tendency approve
the atrocous acts Of Germany but there strong feel
Ing the time had for ending the slaughter the
battle fields and for making peace by compromise The
sentiment opposed CONSUMPTION Of labor for
war industries and to combing industries IN
order send to the front to the urgent
requirements OF the British army for rentoreements on the
battle The engineers the shpyards and other
establishments who considered themselves permanently
privileged led IN TINS argument fortunately neither Pac
sm obstruction Of the military program prevailed in
the conference Both stricken by telegram from
Samuel Gempers president of the American Federation Of
Labor who the conference upon invitation very
strong message yon the view Of American labor that the
must be fought to a victorious finish.
The opposition has zot been disposed Of however Il
be expected to manifest itself again at the September
meeting perhaps with greater force because the waT
been waged for months since then and thousands
have met their death the battle field. The American
labor leaders viii the ground to meet this peace Of
fensive with counter offensive which will win.
The American mission VIII comprise Mr. GompeTs VIII
liam Bowen president Of the international BricklayeIs
and Pasteers union; John T. Frey, president Of the In
transitional Mouders union; Edgar Wallace editor Of the
United Mine Workers Journal and C. L Paine, president
Of the International Boot and Shoe Workers union.
Al Of these leaders, and particularly M Gompers,
imbued with the @in die" spirit that is animating
America Prom the very beginning Mr. GomPers has been
uuequivocai his demand that the be waged unret
tngy and with greatest effort to victory. Constantly he
has urged American labor TO work fight to defeat Prus
His patriotism has been high and inspiring and II
has inspired all organized labor M Gompers has been one
Of the ardent supporters Of president Wilson and OF
his war program All organized labor Is back Of him IN
that support He has been unwaverng enemy Of Prus
ssnism only but also of Boshevism manifested BY
Socialism and pacsm and all the other isms which mean
weakening Of the power Of the United States and defeat
for in
When mr. Gompers and his aids go the British
ference they VII carry with them tonic potent as
thar which American soldiers have taken into the allied
ranks which they serving Their strength and fresh
keen srdor revive reenthuse whose spirits have
been dued by years Of trials and and Of hopes
Jnfulfed II not much to predict that the AmeTl
delegates VIII stir the convention into whrvnd OF
enthusiasm for continuing the victory and that the
British delegates VIII to their local unions TO tel
their and Of the power Of the United States
Of the determination Of all Americans 10 see the thing
through TO q victorious conclusion.
Labor leaders Of countries allied with need only 10
be convinced that their fellow workers IN the United
States stand unit support Of the and Of pTes
dent Wilson's principles. they themselves, approve Of
president Wilson'S views but they have not been assured
fully that the Of American labor takes the same stand
and willing abide BY It. through good fortune and BAG
Until Germany vsnquished They viii be enlightened on
that point when Mr Gope1s and his party address the
British delegates and the French and Italian workers VIII
receive further enlightenment when the Americans tour
their countries