Evening star., 1921-09-11
Nationwide Demonstration
to Take Place as Confer
ence Convenes Here.
PURPOSE TO BACK STEPS
BY U. S. GOVERNMENT
A. F. Of L. Authorizes Preparations
for Show Of Sentiment of Work.
ers on Armistice Day.


ship Of organized labor "in support of
the purpose underlying the inter-
national c6hference on the Limitation
of arm6ments" were announced today
at headquarters of the American Fed
grafton of Labor. Central unions in
every community have been asked to
organize parades and mass meetings
on that day-when the international
conference begins its deliberations.
1t is planned" the announcement
said. ito unite all civic bodies. trade
union auxiliaries. women's trade
union leagues. educational organiza-
tions, women's clubs and, in fact. all
organizations interested in civic af-
fairs and Of a progressive character.
In the great effort"
The purpose of the demonstration,
as expressed in the communications
sent by President Gompers to the cen
trail unions. is backing up our gov.
ernment in its leadership toward dis
armament and giving courage and
determination to the American rep
resentatives in the international COM
mission"
C0nsidefea for Seine Tfme.
The plan to signalize Armistice day
and the opening of the arms limita-
ton conference with a series of DEM
onstrations in which it is hoped by
federation officials that every city,
town and community in the country
will be represented, has been under
consideration at headquarters for
three weeks or more. Authority for
taking the initiative was granted by
the federation's executive council and
Suggestions ts tosSays and nnsaps for
promoting successful demonstrations
have been forwarded to the central
union. as we'll - data 40 to the cost
of armament and war ana tho division
Of taxes between armament and edu-
cational deyei6pmeft.
The plan sspen. goes beyond the
ArMistice day. demonstration, the an
nouncement said, and looks to con-
tinning the movement in such fash
ion "as to bring to the support of the
0nternationall conference a con-
slant expression of American public
opinion" during the deliberations in
Washington; A memorial to- the in
ternational gathering. urging reduc-
tfon Of armament and the settlement
of International disputes without re-
sort to arms. viii be forwarded by the
federation for adoption by each
Armistice day mass meeting.
Disarmanent In slogan.
1.-The time has come to disarm' il
the slogan" said President Gompers'
letter to the central unions. "The
hour has struck to make good our
faith in democracy. to bring success
to the great constructive movement
in which labor has ever been the
leader.
Let this be Americas greatest
demonstration, Americas greatest
mandate. Americas greatest pledge
of faith for the peace of the world"
Attention was called to an article
by Mr.. Gompers. in the current is
sue of the federation journal. say
ing that disarmament now was DOS
sible for practical reasons" while
sentimental reasons had existed al
ways. But the necessity OF protect
ing democracy against the constant
threatened menace Of autocracy and
militarism." Mr.. Gompers added, "al-
ways had stood in the way"
1.-The great militarist autocracies
have perished." he added. "Self-gov-
ernment has been gained for practi-
cally the whole civilized world. That
fact, more than any other. makes dis
armament possible today"
Plans to Assemble Committee.
In connection with the disarma-
ment demonstrations, it was stated,
Mr.. Gompers plans assembling an
advisory committee composed of
leading men and women in all walks
of life," the personnel Of which will
be announced soon. The object of
the committee. as stated in the an
nouncement, will be to aid in obtain
ing full expression of the lisarma-
ment sentiment Of the country" and
(CnnffnuAd on Pa1a Co1,,uou