Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-09-13
GOMPERS SAYS
A. F. TO BACK
DISARMAMENT
All Labor Bodies Throughout
Nation Will Unite to Focus
Sentiment.
ARMIsTICE DAY PROJECT
ecial to Indiana Daily Times


| WASHINGTON, Sept 13.-The full and
| active backing Of labor will be given the
forthcoming conference for the limitation
| of armament, Samuel Gompers, president
| Of the American Federation Of Labor, an
nounced in making public the formal de-
cision of the executive council of the
Federation, to aid the Government In
making The conference a success.
| Plans designed to arouse the citizenship
! Of the country in support Of the princi-
pies of the conference, Mr.. Gompers said.
have been completed by the federation
and will be put into operation by the
/ central labor bodies IN various American
cities. 1t Is proposed to unite all civic
| bodies, trade union auxiliaries, women's
trade union leagues, educational organi-
| cations, women's clubs, and in fact all
organizations interested In civic affairs,
in great effort to focus public sentiment
| upon the conference.
THINKS LABOR SHOULD
TAKE THE LEAD.
THE American Federation of Labor"
said Mr.. Gompers, believes it should
take the lead in bringing together the
disarmament sentiment in great demon
| strations in the form of parades and mass
meetings because Of the federations con-
sistent record in favor of disarmament"
In letter sent to the labor unions out
lining plans for the demonstrations, sug-e
gestiOn is made for a great national cele
bratioh Of Armistice day. the day set for
the opening of the conference. In addi-
ton the plans call for local demonstra-
! tions to be begun at once so as to insure
. success for the effort to bring TO the
support of the conference a constant ex-
| preston OF American public opinion. All
! international trade unions. State fedora
| lions and other subdivisions Of the trade
union organization have been simultane-
ously informed of the plans.
! G0MPERs' LETTER
/ TO UNION LABOR.
One Of the most important phases OF
! the plan is that providing for an advisory
/ commission to be appointed shortly and
composed Of leading men and women Of
all walks Of life. The letter sent out to
the unions bearing the signature OF Mr..
/ Gompers and members Of the executive
/ council, is as follows:
THE executive council of the American
! Federation Of Labor has decided that
American organized labor must take the
lead in impressing upon the international
/ conference for the limitation of armament
! the overwhelming world determination to
/ stop conducting international affairs on
military basis.
1.-The international conference meets In
| Washington on Armistice day, Nov. II.
/ 1921, upon invitation of the American
/ Government
NOV. IL is Armistice day-the day on
which German autocracy gave up in de-
/ feat
Three years ago, on Armistice day de-
mocracy won an imperishable victory
MAY it win another great victory on
this third anniversary.
"In accordance with the action Of the
executive council every central labor
( body in America is urgently called upon
to perform a definite duty, in order
that the disarmament conference may not
/ forget its purpose and in order that the
/ largest possible disarmament may be
achieved.
/ "On the day of the opening Of the dis
armament conference, Nov. IL. 1921 (Armf-
stice day., there should be a great nation
al American demonstration, giving voice
10 the thought and determination OF
America, backing up our Government In
/ its leadership toward disarmament and
giving courage and determination to the
American representatives. in the interna-
/ tional conference.
MUST MAKE
/ DISTINCTION.
The American trade union movement,
always making a clear distinction be-
tween disarmament and pacihsm, has
/ repeatedly declared for disarmament, be-
cause it has faith IN dem Ocracy.
1.-THE time has come now to speak with
/ the full volume OF cur voice joining with
all other elements in American life and
citizenship whose faith is akin to ours
and whose love for peace is as deep.
In every city and town in America let
there be a great demonstration on Armi-
stice day
az
body viii join in the national demonstrs-
! ton, leaving no missing link in the great
chain across the country.
There should be a parade in every To-
cality-a great parade for disarmament
The parade is the first consideration.
Suggestions that may be Of assistance
In the organization of a parade win be
| furnished by American Federation OF
Labor headquarters. These suggestions
are intended merely to be helpful, but
in addition, If the central thought in all
parades could be similar, the national
effectiveness Of the effort viii be In.
creased.
DETAILED PLANS OF
MASS MEETINGS.
Every parade should end in a mass
meeting. The best obtainabIe speakers
should address these great meetings In
ample time an address to the International
disarmament conference viii be for
warded to you for adoption at the mass
meeting. Friday, Nov IL, 1921, Armi-
stice day. Adoption of this address ev.
| erywhere viii mean the expression of the
determination of millions OF Americans
In disarmament
1T is highly desirable that this great
Armistice day disarmament demonstra-
ton be, not alone the expression of la
boris views but that it be the expression
of the views OF our citizenship under la
boris leadership. Labor takes the lead
because it has highly developed sense
Of duty, 1t devoutly American thoroughly
democratic and has the great organiza-
ton necessary to leadership in a crucial
moment such as this.
Action is the need of the hour
1.-The time has come to disarm, is the
slogan.
''The hour has struck to make good our
faith in democracy, to bring success to
great constructive movement in which
labor has ever been the leader.
let no man fail. let no woman fail,
let local union fail, let no central
body fail.
Let the international disarmament
conference know that the heart of
America beats high III determination.
Let this be Americas greatest deter
mination, Americas greatest mandate,
Americas greatest pledge of faith for
- . H. 1-TH -g--a4N