The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-12-25
GALBRA|TH SAYS
LEGION IS FAIR
: TO union LABOR
Writes Gompers he Would. Clear
Up Differences and put SOL
der Organization Right.
Continued from Page One.

and are just as much in earnest as he
was in conserving the good name of
the American Legion. I would ask
you If there i, anything in the fol-
lowing declaration by the A. F. of L..
convention in 1910 to which the AM
erican Legion can object:
Aims of A. F. of l..
"Organized labor contends for the
Improvement of the standard Of life,
to .uproot Ignorance and foster educa-
ton, to instill character and manhood
and an independent spirit among our
people, to bring about recognition
Of the interdepe ndence Of the mod
ern life Of man and his fellow men.
1t aims to establish normal work
day, take the children from the fac
tory and workshop and place them In
the school, the home and the play
ground.
I'm a word, the unions of labor,
re cognizing the duty: Of toll. strive to
educate their mem bets, to- make their
homes more cheerful in every way, to
contribute an earnest effort toward
making life the better worth: living,
to- avail their members Of their rights
as citizens and to bear the duties and
responsibilities and perform the OBJ
legations they owe to our country and
our fellow men. Labor contends that
in every effort to achieve it's praise
worthy ends all honorable and lawful
means are not only commendable but
should receive the sympathetic sup
port of every right thinging, progress
sive man.
Don't Know Purpose.
"You undoubtedly will find that
members Of the American Legion,
outside of few, are like the members
of other organizations, they don't
know the real purpose for which an
organization is formed. New ofganiza-
lions especially find 1t difficult to re-
strain their members from doing those
things which are a. menace not only
to them but to all the people. It re-
quires a great deal of education. I
have been helpful in a way in ac-
quainting the members of trade unions
with the real aims and objects of the
American Legion.
"On several occasions resolutions
that have been presented in NEE tings
of labor organizations have been laid
on the table or defeated because of the
Information they have received
through me in relation to the work Of
the American Legion. Many Of our
members do not understand the trade
union movement and have been mis-
led as to the work Of the American
Federation Of Labor.
During the war there was no group
Of persons in the United States who
mr. ~ r1,Svo f1,n -
A. F. of L. Before the war, when the
great pacifist movement was Sleep
ing ready to burst forth with terrific
force, the representatives of all ma
tional and international unions met in
conference in Washington and de-
clared:
Stood Behind Nation.
"'But despite all our endeavors and
hopes, should out country be drawn
into the maelstrom of the European
conflict, we. with these ideals Of lib
erty and justice herein declared as
the indispe nsable basis for national
policies, offer our services to our coun-
try In every field of activity to defend.
safeguard and preserve the republic
of the United States Of America
against its enemies whomsoever they
may be. and we call upon our fellow
workers and fellow citizens in the
holy name Of labor, Justice, freedom
and humanity to devotedly and patri-
otically. give like service
Pledge Was Kept.
'But better than, all, that pledge
was kept. How many members OF
your organization realize the work OF
the A. F. OF L. In that great crisis
I feel that II every member did know
it there would be no reports coming
from any part OF the United States
OF tho members Of the American Leg.
ion interfering in any way with thu
normal activities Of the legitimate
labor movement. 1t 10 also my belief
that II they knew the real object Of
= the American Federation Of Labor a.
outlined in tho declaration Of tho 1910
convention. it would also be an in.
fluence causing individuals to- ceas,
Interfering in any way with the trad.
unioua.. 49,
'As you desire to merit the conf,
\ dence and esteem Of Ill sections and
: ID 0r01lna Ia <ha -