The Washington times., 1920-10-14
FRAME PLAN
TO END WARS
Machinists' Union to Call World
Conference for Concerted
hon-Productive Action.
BY MILDRED NORRIS.

ny "h1DhSD "VAsAAAys
American workers in the arsenals,
plants, and navy yards
are preparing to make what is de-
clared to be the first practical move
to end war.
PLAN WORLD DISARMAMENT.
The International Machinists' AS
ISOLATION, one OF the most powerful
labor organizations in the United
States, with a membership of 36O, 900
and control over all the organized
nachinists employed in the manufac-
ture of munitions and naval vessels,
will take initial steps within the
next month for the calling of q con-
ference OF the metal workers of the
world for concerted action on a pro-
gram to bring about the worlds dis
armament
This announcement. coming today
from William H. Johnston. head of the
organixa tion. produced q sensation In
official labor circles.
The move, II was pointed out. Is the
most radical departure from the
policies OF organised labor In Amer
lea taken In years and assumes spe-
cial Importance in coming from the
third largest union In the American
Federation Of Labor. which. next TO
the miners is regarded 9. the most
the federation. Also. IL constitutes, In
effect, q reputation Of Samuel Com
pers' stand on European labor.
JOHNSTON EXPLAINS MOVE.
In making his announcement John
ston said:
The question of future wars rests
in the hands of the skilled mechanics
and other metal workers of the world.
They are the men who make the
death-killing devices of war. III they
should cease making these devices
war would cease.
ITO stop the transportation OF mu-
nitions in opposition to war is futile
so long as munitions continue to be
made.
I'VE are striving for peace and we
know of no better way to secure the
peace of the world than to get to-
gether with all the metal workers in
the European countries and formulate
a definite policy dealing with the
manufacture of munitions.
"Medern wars are fought with ma
chinery created and fashioned by the
hands of machinists and their related
craftsmen in all countries. who in
light of recent events must bear the
responsibility for future wars.
1--WE believe that the worlds peace
and safety rests in the skilled hands
Of the worlds artisans who fashion
steel and iron into ornaments and
munitions of war.
1--WE believe that this power wisely
used will do more to abolish forever
the menace of war than the efforts
81 Sta Nd dfnlAVn at m
the world"
REPUDIATEs GoMPERs.
Johnston said his organization will
request the International Federation
of Trade Unions to arrange the con-
ference II proposes. Samuel Com
pers in his recent statement repudiat-
ing European labor announced that
the American Federation would sever
with this International
on account of its Bolshe-
visit tendencies.
"Mr. Gomper's statement on seyer-
ing relations with European labor is
not the position of the International
OF Machinists, nor is it
the position of the American Fedora
tion OF Labor. IL is Gomper's posi-
ton" said Johnston.
"The workers of America and the
other workers must stand together
on questions vitality affecting the
future of labor throughout the world.
At this critical stage in the history
of labor they cannot afford to re-
main apart. Their interests are the
same and for self-preservstion con-
tinue united"
The machinists' organization at it's
recent convention in Rochester, NJ Y,
declared for the recognition OF Soviet
Russia.