The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-06-18

other properly conducted labor move
ment in the civilized world-has been
taught how to go forward, but not
how to retreat. They only know to
go marching onward and forward and
upward.
Let us go. on in our movement,
united. The same character and type
of enemies to the American move
ment of the workers in industry: are
at work. also in trying to drive back
the position secured by the farmers
OF our country in these past few
years. We must get nearer and
closer to the, men engaged in the agri-
cultural work of America. The farm
ers, the men engaged in agriculture
and the men engaged in industry
must have a closer alliance and CO.
operation, in orders& to see that we
shall not be crushed by the reaction
Of industrial captains >or princes of
finance. - =. -
Department of Justice.
"You know that there is a drive
being made to wipe out or to weaken
the department.; of labor and also to
destroy the department of agricul-
ture. Now, what, other departments
are there left in the United States
government? :? The department of. state,
the department of war. the depart
ment of the. interior, the treasury,
the department of navy. and the de-
partment of commerce-what other
departments are there?''
A voice from audience: The de.
partment of justice" daughter.
Mr.. Gompers: "Oh, yes, department
OF justice, and the postoffice.'
(Laughter:)
"F'riends, think of that. Under the
pretense of trying to create a de-
partment of public welfare, it is Sc
rlously proposed to destroy the de.
partment of labor and the department
OF agriculture. No one can foretel]
where reaction leads. AS a matter
OF fact, the only two departments in
the government of the United States
that represent at all the producers of
the wealth of our country. it is Sc.
rlously proposed to destroy.
Labor Office Menaced.
Il believe that the time will come
ana we have earnestly striven. end
we will continue to strive for the time
when there shall be total disarma-
ment in all the countries of the world
and that disarmament being based
upon universal agre enent. But I ask
you' my. friends. in any event
whether the production of the wealth
or our country is not of greater i'm.
portance to civilization and our prog
ress. than is any other department of
our government? However, we set
Wnat' we do see. and we will recos.
n1ze the conditions as they exist and
| we shall do anything and everything
within our power to prevent such a
destructive piece of legislation.
When the delegates to the con.
vention Of the A. F. of L. speak tlev
speak in the name Of the producing
/ masses Of our country, for the unor.
canned have our sympathy and they
nave our protection and we safe.
guard their interests for them-the,
know that when any trouble over.
takes fhenl-they. know where t.
come, and they don't go to the cham.
ners or commerce, but they come tc
the Offices Of. the organizations o1
the men and women of labor, the or.
eanizations which they have neglected
or failed, for one reason or another
70 Join. But when they are in dis
tress and when they are in trouble
when they can no longer remain con.
tent with the insult and tyranny and
imposition, they come to. the door.
OF the organizations Of labor. know.
ing that by God. il we can't heir
~them, we will not hurt them.
The one great thing with which
we must deal is greater co-opera.
tion and unity and spirit Of solidar.
ity. among the great masses of tn,
tollers of our country. Anew vision
a new campaign. a new spirit. mo-
only of resentment, but of 2construc
tive work. to protect and to promote
the rights and interests and welfar,
OF the wage-earning masses ) o
America and by so doing, We solidif,
|ethe ground work and the wonderful
structure Of the republic Of thu
United States Of America. -