Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-06-15

GIVES LABOR's STAND
Thomas Reviews Problems-Peace-
makers Blamed-Urgts Disarnla-i
ment-Warns of Ireland,

Denver, June 15.-Blame for the
recent World War was placed
squareiv on the shoulders of organ
Emed labor IN Germany by President
Samuel Gompers in an address to the
American Federation Federation o.
Labor Convention here today.
y hold. ard l accept full respons
biity for what l am about to say
said President Gompers. "that tht
organized labor movement of Germ
any failed tlismally at the eritica
hour.
'If it rad taken the situation in
hand it might have meant the de-
struction ,f . few thousands, but it
would have stopped the war. The
failure of ,nen to act at time OF
crisis is faithlessness to a common
cause"
In his address, whica was re-
sponse to those of fraternal delegates
from Great Britain and Canada,
President Gompers dwelt upon the
attitude of the Federation and him
self both during the war and since,
during thea areriod of reconstruction.
w. r. Bush, fraternal delegate
representing the Canadian Trades
and Labor, Congress, told the assem-
|bled delegates that despite Difficult
tiles, organized labor in Canada was
lat least holding its own. He review
ed the zone big union" movement
land predicted 'its early death"
A resolution was adopted by the
convention urging Congress to pass
Immediately the Johnson bill provid
ling for q Federal investigation into
conditions in the Mingo county
(West Virg;Sia) strike zone.
Reviewing the international prob
|lents. confronting organized labor OF
the world md the British coal min
|ers' strike, I. H. Thomas, British
labor leader, said:
"There is no difference today in
any part of the world with regard to
the problems with which we are con-
|fronted and compelled to face. The
only difference is difference of
degree and 'se today in America, in
Great Britain, France, in all the Cen
tral Powers. are suffering the inevit
able price Of having lived riotous
life for six years. A nation pays
the same price as an individual; If
nature is abused, nature will exact
her price.
Success OF the British coal miners
strike was predicted by Mr.. Thomas
who declared that the miners had
gone on strike without brass cop
per in their fund"
America, France, Italy, and every
power that was party to the peace
treaty must bear share of the re-
sponsibihty of the miners coal strike
crisis, Mr.. Thomas asserted.
The peace treaty, which he said
was designed to snake Germany
pay" gave France 100000 tons of
German coal per month and as a re-
suit eve woke up one morning in
t.nglard and discovered that the
mines that were taken over during
the war and controlled by the Gov
eminent Were losing 4,5Q0,00O pounds
sterling a month y
Referring again to the framing OF
the peace treaty, Mr.. Thomas sale
the net result of it was mat it wasn't
Germany paying. it was the French
and the British miner who paid.
Mr.. Thomas declared the "onl!
cure" for war sis disarmament."
"You cannot go on building armie!
and navies without leading .eithett tt
bankrutpcy or explosion" he de
clared.
Mr.. Thomas, who is president O
the International Federation o
Trade Unions, urged the labor move
ment to use the ballot and exercis
Continued on Page Five)