Evening star., 1919-12-29
j. s. WORKERS MAY
ORGANIZE, BUT NOT.
ENGAGE,|N STRIKES

Principles Governing Them
Presented in Industrial
Conference Statement.
The right Of governmental employees
to associate and organize for certain
mutual benefits is undeniable. The
way. however. in which at least some
Of them. policemen, for example. may
use their organization thus formed is
an entirely different question.
These points are strongly brought
out in the statement of principles
made in the preliminary statement OF
the Industrial conference called by
the President of the United states
which Is to reassemble January IL.
This document emphasizes that con-
certed cessation of work must not
interfere with governmental ma
chinery, and at the same time recon-
monds the establishment, malnte-
nance and improvement of another set
of machinery adequate to remedy such
grievances as might lead to desire
for such a concerted departure from
the job.
Undivided Allegiance.
"The government is established in
the interests of all the people" reads
part v of the statement, that dealing
with the subject of government en-
ployes. "It can be conducted effective
Iy only by those who give to it's serv-
ice an undivided allegiance. The terms
and conditions of employment in the
service are prescribed by
Law. Therefore no interference by any
group OF government employees, or
others, with the continuous operation
of government functions through con-
certed cessation of work. or threats
thereof. can be permitted.
THE right of government employees
to associate for mutual protection, the
Advancement of their interests or the
denied, but no such employees who are
connected with the administration of
justice or the maintenance of public
safety or public order should be per-
mitted to join or retain membership in
any organization which authorizes the
strike.
Other Classes of Employees.
''The conference is not now express
ing an opinion upon the propriety of
the afiiliation of other classes of gov
ernment employees with organizations
which authorize the use of the strike.
THE priciples above stated are not
to be construed as inconsistent with
the right of employees individually to
leave the public service. 1t is, further.
an essential part of the application of
these principles that tribunals shall
be established for prompt hearing of
= H.
ances. The legislation of the nation.
the states and ene municipalities
should be improved in such a way as
to prevent delay in hearings and to
enable speedy action when there are
grievances"
10000 in Organization.
The membership of the National
Federation of Federal Employees affili-
ated with the American Federation OF
Labor, for whom the industrial con-
ment workers has vital interest, is
about $4,000, according to Miss Ethe
NJ. Smith, secretary of the Legislative
committee of that organization.
There are four other organizations
composed of government employees ex.
clusively, while there are at leasl
fifty international trade unions. affili-
ated with the American Federation OF
Labor. which include varying numbers
of government workers in their mem.
berShip.
Mr.. Stewards Comment.
Concerning the above sta ement OF
principles, Luther c. Steward, presi.
dent of the National Federation OF
Federal Employees. today made the
following statement:
~
so far as it refers to the question OF
strikes by government employees, has
no bearing on the National Federation
of Federal Employees. We have al.
ready decided that question of oul
own volition, without any compulsior
but the organized employees them.
selves.
Our constitution contains a pro-
vision prohibiting as from striking
and from supporting any other strike
against the government, and. as eX-
emplified in the legislative program
which we have proposed to Congress
We are using our organization to re.
build the government machinery or
a businesslike, efficient basis. with
justice to the employed and the full.
est service to the public This has
been our policy from the beginning
of our organization.
since this is and has been, oul
/ policy; since we have given vo'un.
tarily this evidence Of our good faitf
and constructive intentions, we have
increased the obligation of our EN-.
ployer, the United States government
to deal fairly with US and not to re.
sort to oppressive measures.
our right to affiliate with our fel
low workers we regard as an essen
tial principle of human freedom. ant
we cherish it accordingly.
1T would be well to consider
furthermore. that any proposal I,
sever the connection of government
workers with the American Fedora
ton of Labor would be to cause al
oyerturn of three-fourths of the per
sonnel of the government service. Be
sides the four organizations composed
exclusively of government employees
our federation and the three organiza
tions of postal employees, some fifty in
ternational unions, affiliated with tn,
American Federation Of Labor ant
representing the various trades, hav.
members employed by the government
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