New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-09-04
Gomper i'm Labor
Day Message Asks
Full Organization
Federation Chief Declares
Great Need of Times Is
Cor All Working People
to Stand Side by Side

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3.-American
labor was urged ITO go forward
through more complete organization by
Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation of Labor, in his
annual Labor Day message to the work
ing men of the United States, made
public tonight.
The message, which will be raed at
gatherings of organized workers on
Monday, said.
eve meet to observe this Labor Day
at a time when the citizenship, the
understanding, the loyalty and soil
oarity OF ak our people are passing
through the test OF fire.
1--WE meet at time when the great
need is to stand together.
"We are confronted by unemploy-
ment. Nearly 100000 of our people
have nc work.
"The reactionary forces among en-
ployers are slow to turn their minds
to constructive effort. They are slow
to learn that the injunction as abused
in Industrial disputes is an unlawful
Ineffective, tyrannical weapon. They
are slow to learn that the so-called in
dividual contract as measure OF IN
dustrial disfranchis ement is badge
Of enslavement which American work
ers will not accept. They are slow to
learn that the destruction of our move
ment is impossible, either through the
infamous mis-named open shop cam
paign or by any other device. But
though they are slow to learn, they
do learn.
Asks Constructiveness
every advance of Labor marks an
advance in the education of employers
"'rhe constructive ability of gu.
movement is called upon to the utmost
to bring the full flood of life back to
our industries under conditions OF
freedom, with the democratic ideal
dominating everywhere.
eve will not be driven back. We
will go forward. The light that has
come into the life and work of oui
people can never be shut away from
them. There must be more, and more
and more--more tomorrow than to-
day, more the next day than tomorrow
and more for every coming tomorrow
"The times of to-day are severely
trying. They are not of our making
but they are for our redemption. We
must organize for our task. hTe unor"
gained are helpless. They can help
neither themselves nor their fellows
Their strength, their skill, their in
spiration, are lost until they organize
Our first great task is to organize
to bring together the unorganized, tc
unite and federate the organized, to
bring together in strenth Of unitee
thought and action all of our people
everywhere.
Pleads for Organization
"Man to-day wins no victory alone
/ he overcomes no injustice by himself
he contributes nothing to the tide o
progress while he walks by himself
The battle for justice, for progress, TO
democracy, for freedom, for a bette
life for all, is the battle for all.
must be fought by all-and all mus
be united.
"Organize for the five-million mark
organize for justice, for freedom, 70
the great struggle to fight wrongs, TO
the triumph of service over tyrann,
and greed.
"Take the message of organizatio,
everywhere. Unite in the service o
humanity, for the good of our peopl
and the greatest glory of our country
! Organize for the five-million mark. o.
this Labor Day begin the forwar
march,