Twin city review. [volume] (Champaign, Ill.) 19??-1929, 1924-01-18

portant organized force in Germany
that can come TO the defense of the
Republic and defeat the monarchists.
Ii Germany should revert to despot-
ism great victory bough, at terrible
cost would be in great part lost. Ii
was our war aim TO destroy the inn
perialist autocracy. We have a duty
TO sustain the German labor move.
ment as a force for holding the free
dom won for the German people by
the American and Allied sacrifice.
The American labor moymeent was
united in its support of the war
against the Imperial German Govern.
ment and We were an important and
essential factor In bringing that war
TO successful end. After our Re-
public had entered the war the con-
vention OF the American Federation
of Labor decided that while we could
have no meetings with representatives
of the people OF enemy countries dur
ing the war, when victory is achieved
none. viii he ecker TO extend the
fraternal hand 'gf trade union fellow
ship TO organized workers In all coun-
tries with which We are a, war. or will
w eo niois btafiis ihal VIII tue n.
+. of l..
Now is the time that American
labor must make good that pledge.
While the people OF our nation are
giving generously 10 various relief
funds, this is the distinctive relief
work that devolves solely upon Ameri-
cas- workers. Nor is the fraternal
appeal the only one that concerns us.
II the German trade union movement
fails the tide of influence will be felt
the world around, and with fearful
consequences in central Europe. We
in America would have TO meet the
effects in our home markets and for
eig ntrade. In our collective bargain
ing conferences we would have to
meet the problem of lower standards
of work within competitive production
centers.
We learned in the World War how
clesely the world is knit together by
the ties of world organization in
science, in education, in finance, In
production, in commerce, in labor and
practically every relation of life. We
owe to those who gave their lives in
that war, to make constructive use
of all information gained in that
frightful debacle.
If aid is to reach Germany it must
come from America, for the workers
of European countries are at present
in a more economic condition. than
obtained before the war. Unemploy-
ment and actual need is all too gen
eral for them to make contribution.
The American Federation Of Labor
is undertaking to raise relief fund
for the German trade union movement
to be used only to maintain that
organization. II only skeleton or
ganization Is sustained the vital thing
will be kept alive until something of
economic order Is restored.
We present TO you this dire need
of the German trade union movement
confident the cry for assistance will
appeal to your judgment and heart.
All of the information has been. con-
sidered by the Executive Council of
the American Federation of Labor and
the council has decided upon this i'm
mediate and urgent appeal for money
TO sustain the German
trade union movement. Appeal, by
authority Of the Executive Council,
is hereby made for contributions from
trade unions, whether International,
National, State or Local, and from
trade unionists and friends every
where in America.
We can not in this limited space tell
the entire story Of the destitution Of
the German trade union movement,
but we have set forth the principal
facts as officially communicated to
US. We urge the need of immediate
action. a world crisis confronts
labor. We must help or be untrue
to our ideals and our convictions.
Make checks payable TO Frank Morn
son. Secretary, American Federation
of Labor, A. F. Of L. Building, Wash
ington, d. C., who will return receipt
for the same. The contributions re-
ceived will be forwarded promptly to
the financial officers Of the German
Trade Union movement and upon the
completion Of the purpose Of the fund
the receipts will be printed in detail
and BY whom contributed; also the
expenditures and the dates when
transmitted TO Germany.
Act promptly and generously. :.
By authority Of The Executive Council
American Federation of Labor.
SAM. G0MPERS, President.
Attest: Frank Morrison, Secretary.
P.S.-A National Committee is now
in the process of formation for the
ahnVa DurDOse