The labor world., 1921-09-24
PREPARE FOR ARMISTICE DAY.

PREPARE FOR ARM1ST1CE DAY.
Armistice day, November IL, is to be
generally celebrated throughout the
country. President Samuel Gompers
calls upon all organized labor to OBJ
serve the day. He wants its signifi-
cance to be thoroughly understood by
every American workman, and he gives
his reasons therefore in letter which
mas bsen sent to every central labor
union in the land. That letter is print
ed in full on the first page of this issue
Of The Labor World.
On Armistice day the delegates to tho
International Conference for the Limi-
tation of Armaments will convene at
Washington. Already there are rumors
thas the delegates from the leading
powers are not overly keen about max
ing any declaration or entering into
any agreement for the reduction Of the
size of the armies or navies of their
respective countries.
Our own delegation to the conference
is not composed of men who have
earned regulations as advocates of re-
Auced arnaments for the United States.
At least two of them have voted con-
sistently on the side of the manufac-
turers of armor plate, of powder and
Of guns. Such manufacturers are said
to maintain powerful lobbies against
legislation tending towards the reduc-
tion of army and navy building pro-
grams.
During the late World war our
spokesmen declared that it must be the
last great war. "This is a war; they
said, ''to end war; That was when
the cause for which we were fighting
was hanging in the balance, when men
were needed as much as money to
"carry on Since then marked in
difference has come over those who
were fearful Of the result. They are
not now talking so enthusiastically
about ending war or about preventing
future wars.
Labor played the war game on the
square. Labor did not profiteer. From
farm to factory, over railroads and
seas, in mines and forests, through shot
and shell, the workers gave the best
that was in them to win the war that
was to end war. They took the coun'
try's leaders at their word.
Pacifists and conscientious objec-
TORS" that is the practical ones who
either understood the great issues in
volved or who were led to believe that
the successful termination of the war
would be the means of ending war,
joined with the most enthusiastic jim.
goes to make a quick job Of it.
Skepties who stood back and ridi.
euled while others were fighting de-
clared that America was being misled;
that when the war was over the war
crowd would continu< on the job crying
for larger armies and greater navies.
They frequently gave such as their
reason for opposing the war.
We're they right? The coming months
will tell. American sentiment is against
war. It is for the limitation and re.
duction of armaments. All it needs is
to be crystallized. The ordinary or.
gans of publicity are as dumb as mum.
mics on the subject Many Of then,
That were once loud against militarism
during agitational periods are now woe
fully silent. The Duluth Herald is q
notable exception. American ideals art
FRUSTRATED on the eve Of the interna
tionR assemblage called by our presi
dent for the purpose of taking the next
best step to the League of Nations tc
minimize the. possibilities of anothe,
great war.
So it is eminently proper that Armis
tace day this year be devoted to publ,
u1SCdoASUu Ol tuo 4CuuCkAOu OA al
and navies throughout the world. Lei
there be great demonstrations every
where so that the delegates to the con
ference may know the real sentimen
of the American people.
Mr.. Gompers appeals to organized la
Dor to plan for the proper. observance o!
the day. The Federated Trades Assem-
bly, should call upon the unions to turl
out on Armistice day.
Every church organization, fraterna
society and civic body should unit
with labor. The American Legion AM
other organizations Of war veteran
should take the lead. Let the sloga1
be: "There must be no more war!'
Put the patriotic, spiritual and soeia
thought of che public behind the cele
.bration.
GLORY OF Private INITIATIVE
Advocates Of private ownership Q
transportation, those who prate eyel