The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1919-11-07
CONFERENCE Of
LABOR LEADERS
ON DECEMBER IS

Tor conference OF PRESIDENTS OIL Ma
tional and International Unions
with the Executive Council of the
American Federation of Labor, to
be held in Washington, D. c., on
December 13:
Washington D. c., Nov. II, 1919.
Name of Officer and Organization)
Dear Sir and Brother: Nearly a
month before the declaration of war
by the United States Government,
the Executives of the National and
International Unions met in confer
ence in Washington and then and
there declared Labor's attitude to-
ward our Government, whether in
peace or war, and Labor has made
good.
The armistice was signed Novem-
Der II, 1918. Automatically hos
tilities have ended. Technically we
are yet in a state of war. The re-
turn of industry from a war footing
to peace basis is not readily ac-
complised. The patriotic fervor for
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 pc
riod, Labor Is confronted with grave
dangers affecting the very founda-
tion of it's structure. So grave is
the situation regarded that at it's
recent meeting, the Executive Coun-
ell of the American Federation of
Labor and the representatives of the
Railroad Brotherhoods agreed that
the Executives of the National and
international unions should be in
vited to participate in a conference
at the headquarters of the A. F. of
L. at 10 O'Clock on the morning of
December 13, 1919, and there to
take counsel and to formulate such
action as may be essential to safe
guard and promote the rights, in
terests and freedom of the wage
earners, the workers, who form the
great mass Of the people of our Re-
public.
1t Is imperative that the respon-
sible representatives of the labor
movement shall therefore consider
the situation in the industrial and
legislative field and agree upon
fundamental principles and a pro-
gram which the wage earners will
accept In performing their duties as
citizens and at the same time main
tanning the right of free men in or
der to conserve human interest and
welfare.
We conferred with the represent
atives of the various farmers or
ganizations. The conventions of
these several bodies will be held
within the next thirty days. The
representatives of the farmers,
while in sympathy with the pur-
poses of the conference, did not feel
that they had the authority to ap-
pend their names to this call. How
ever, formal communications will
be sent to their conventions invit-
ing them to appoint representatives
to participate in the conference of
December 18th, with authority to
speak in the name of the organiza-
tions they represent.
You are earnestly urged to at
tend the conference in person, and
thereby give the most effective and
responsible expression Of the needs
to meet the situation.
(Signed)
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AMER
ICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR.
SAMUEL GOMPERS, President.
JAMES DUNCAN, list Vice-Pres
JOS. F. VALENTINE, End V.-P.
FRANK DUFFY, 3rd V. p.
WILLIAM GREEN, 4th V.-P.
w, D. MAHON, 5th V.-P.
r. A. RICKERT. 9Th V.-P.
JACOB FISCHER. 7th V.-P.
MATTHEW WOLL, Sth V.-P.
DANIEL J. TOBIN, Treasurer.
FRANK MORRISON, Secretary.
WARREN S. STONE, Grand Chief
Brotherhood of Locomotive En-
gineers.
TIMOTHY SHEA, Grand Chief
Brotherhood of Locomotive
Firemen
w. e. LEE, Grand Chief Broth
erhood of Railroad Trainmen.
l.. e. SHEPPARD, Grand Chief
Order Railway Conductors of
America.
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