New-York tribune., 1919-10-30
Call Is Issued
For National
Labor Parle>
Federation and Railroad
Brotherhoods Unite in a
Summons to Conference
i'll Washington. Dec. 13

WASHINGTON. Oct. 90. - '.Funda-
mental principles' upon which organ
lzed labor may combat grave dangers
affecting the very foundation of its
structure" are to be formulated at
conference of union chiefs in Wash
lngton December I3.
Formal call for the conference was
sent to-day to union leaders over the
country. 1t was signed by the mem
ners OF the executive council of the
american Federation Of Labor and the
cnlefs OF the railroad brotherhoods,
VINO explained that the farmers repre-
sentatlves who sat with these union
officials last Saturday when final de
clslon to hold the meeting was reached
did not feel they had authority to sign
the call.
however, it was stated that the ma
lonal farmers organizations now in
session, or soOr to meet, would be in
vited to send delegates with full power
TO act on behalf Of those organizations.
1t IS the purpose OF the union leaders
20 form an alliance with the farmers
organizations Tor carrying out the cam
paIgn which Will be mapped out.
ne text Of the call follows;
Nearly month before the declara-
( States u
ernment the executives of the national
and international unions met in cor.
ference in Washington and then anc
there declared labor's attitude toward
our government. whether in peace o.
war, and TABOR made good
The armistice was signed Noven.
Der II, 1918. Automatically hostilitie.
have ended. Technically we are vet IN
state of war. The return of indus
try from war footing 10 a peace basis
IS not readily accomplished The pa
tr'otc fervor of our country in peril
brought about by the dangers which
threatened the overthrow of democracy
and freedom, seems to have subsidized.
in this critical reconstruction
period labor is confronted with grave
dangers affecting the very foundation
OF It's structure. So grave is the sit
uatlon regarded that az its recent meet
ing the executive council of the Ame r
lcau Federation Of Labor and the repre-
sentatlves of the railroad brotherhood
agreed that the executives Of the ma
tlonal and internati unions shoulc
be invited 70 participate in q conference
at the Headquarters of the American
Federation Of Labor at 10 o'clock OF
the morning of December l3. 1919, anc
there to take counsel and to formulate
~N~-NAA
guard and promote the rights. interests
and freedom Of the wage earners. ths
workers. who form the great mass o.
the people of our republic
1t is imperative that the respon-
slbse personalities OF the labor
movement shall, therefore, consider the
situation in the industrial and legis-
latiye field and agree upon funda
mental principles and d program
which the wage earners will accep,
IN performing their duties as citizens
and at the same time maintaining the
right of free men in order to conserve
human interest and welfare
We conferred with the representa-
tives Of the various farmers organi-
cations. The convertiors Of these sew
eral bodies will be held within IT,
next thirty days The representatives
OF the farmers, while in sympathy
with the purposes Of the conference
did not feel that they had the l.
thorlty TO append their names TO thi.
call However, the formal communi.
cation will De sent 10 their conven.
uVn inviting them to appoint repre-.
scntatives TO participate in the con
ference of Decem Der 13 with authorit,
tc speak in the name of the organiza-
tlons they represent.
'f ou are earnestly urged to attert
the conference III person and thereb,
give the most effective and responsi
be expression Of the needs to NEE
the situation"