Evening star., 1938-03-04
LABOR DELEGATES
ITSELF TO GAINS
Leaders Pledge Efforts to
Progress at Anniversary
of Department.

preserve Its most recently won rlghts
and bring 1t new ones.
More than 1000 guests, including
Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt, assembled
last night in the Mayfower Hotel,
heard speakers from the ranks of
labor. industry and Government fire.
ouently go beyond platitudinous con-
gratulations to give voice to some OF
the aims and the determinations of
those most influential in their relation
to labor in America.
Most solemn of the VOWS served upon
the group, perhaps, was that of Sem
ator Wagner, Democrat, of New York
and sponsor of many laws on behalf
of labor, calling for constant vigilance
against the destructive infringements
of temporary periods of reaction" in
the political life of the Nation.
Roosevelt Sends Pledge.
rendered also was the promise of
President Roosevelt, delivered by let
ter, Of "far-reaching benefits, not only
to wage earners but to all our people
in the years to come"
Such benefits, Mr.. Roosevelt indi-
Gated, will come through furtherance
of the general recognition that there
should be floor to wages and CELL
Ing to hours, that there should be ade-
ouate annual income, that working
conditions should be safe and healthy
and that child labor be eliminated
from industry"
From William Green. president of
the American Federation of Labor,
after words of full praise for the De-
partment and its endeavors, came the
suggestion that in it should be vested
further functions Of developing pro-
gram of social security for wage
earners.
Relief is no more matter of
charity where wage earners are con-
cerned than when applied to industries
railroads, ETC." Mr.. Green declared
ut is a social responsibility for which
provisions must be made and admin
istered without the stigma of a means
test or poor law. The development of
this social security program is only in
its beginnings. Labor feels that its
the matter of wage earners' welfare,
should be in the Department of Labor
for it is to that department that labor
looks for understanding of workers
rights and problems We are looking
forward to the development of social
security to provide against all of the
hazards which interfere with gainful
employment. including sickness
Howard Speaks for c. l. o.
And from Charles P. Howard, sec
retary of the Committee for Indus
trial Organization and president of the
international Typographical Union,
came call to labor to continue its Or
ganization efforts and to "be on guard
against some who pose as friends as
we'll as those who give open opposition.
Labor must discipline itself and
make constructive use of the power it
Develops" the C. I. o. official cau-
toned
Attacks on governmental agencies,
the duties of which are to protect the
men and women in industry, must
cease, and those who represent labor
should not be classed as public
enemies
Sounding his warning against the
periods of reaction, Senator Wagner
added:
We must be wary of those high
sounding slogans about equality of
right which would have the actual
effect Of destroying legislation, enacted
after years of effort, to correct certain
notorious inequalities of position in
the employment relation. We must
never again embrace the outmoded
dogma, however disguised, that the
helpless should help themselves
Constructive Steps Needed.
The formulation and administra-
ton Of an effective program will call
for increasing national effort through
the Federal Government. In that
effort, we look to the Department of
Labor for guidance and inspiration.
for blue prints and facts, for policy de-
examinations on essential problems of
administration, in such matters as the
interest Of the wage Garner as con-
suner; the regularization of employ
ment in the direction of higher an
nual income, minimum wage and max
imum hour legislation, the outlawry of
child labor, the improvement of the
status in industry of women, older
workers and salaried employees. the
study of farm labor, the elimination of
the causes of industrial accidents and
the aleviation of industrial losses
through sickness"
Commendation and congratulations
We're rendered to the department also
by Henry I. Hartman, former presi-
dent Of the United States Chamber of
Commerce, and by D. B. Robertson,
president of the Brotherhood of Loco
motive Firemen and Enginemen In
addition there were numerous tele-
grams and written messages from
those not able to attend the observ-
ance.
Two persons prominently identified
with labor matters were absent, these
being John l.. Lewis, chairman of the
c. I. O., and Senator Davis, Repub-
lican, of Pennsylvania, only living ex-
Secretary of Labor. Both were out of
town, their Offices reported
Appearing simultaneously with an
other of their union companies on
Broadway, a musical company of the
international Ladies' Garment Work
ers' Union presented nine of their
sketches from the revue, Pins and
Needles" Earlier in the evening the
same group made their first Washing
ton appearance in a special presenta-
ton for President Roosevelt and his
family at the White House.
Musical entertainment was provided
by Armand Tokatyan, Metropolitan
Opera tenor, appearing by courtesy of
the American Guild of Music Artists.
Today. the department observes the
actual date Of its creation in an ex-
hibition and brief program of ad-
dresses at the Government auditorium.
Speakers will be New York Supreme