The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1940-08-15
Opposed To Burke-Wdds-
worth Bill For Compulsory
MilitdrY Service
URGES ENLISTMENT
Also Voluntary Enlistment
Be Given Tridl To Build
Army To 100000

washington, -. C.-PreSldent Will
liam Green announced that the Amer
ican Federation of Labor opposes the
Burke -Wadsworth Bill, providing for
compulsory military service.
If this nation is threatened with
invasion, Mr.. Green said, it is the
duty of our Government "to formul-
ate a plan designed to mobilize ade-
quate man-power for national defense
and, through the President, make
known to Congress and the country
the man-power need of the nation"
Under such circumstances, Mr..
Green declared, American labor will
support the organization and Gre
alton of an army large and strong
enough to meet national require
ments.'
AS the first step, Mr.. Green sug-
gested that voluntary enlistment be
given fair trial and an effort made
in this american way" to build up
an army of 100000 men.
But if it becomes apparent that COM
pulsory military service is necessary,
Mr.. Green cautioned, such legislation
should embody within it's provisions
which would adequately protect the
economic and industrial status Of
working men and women.
The text of Mr.. Green's statement
follows:
Developments which have taken
place in the war situation in Europe
have served to arouse feelings of ap-
prehension among all classes of people
and a consciousness of the need of
the formation of a constructive, prac-
tical national defense policy. This
state of mind is reflected in the action
which Congress took when it appro-
priated large sums of money for the
construction of naval vessels, air.
planes, tanks and war materials. While
public opinion showed it's opposition
to the involvement of our Nation in
the European conflict it responded
most favorably to the need for home
defense and adequate preparation
against any attempt of invasion by
an aggressor nation.
"The American Federation of La
Dor has cooperated and will continue
to cooperate with the Federal Gov
ernment in the formation and execu-
ton Of it's preparedness plans. We
have eXpounded a philosophy which
proclaims that loyalty to labor unions
presupposes loyalty to our Govern
ment. This is both primary and basic.
Labor, as represented by the American
IF I oh CT
movable in it's defense of our Govern
ment, of our democratic institutions
and Of the blessings Of liberty, free
dom and justice, provided for in the
Declaration of Independence and the
Constitution of the United States.
'In pledging universal support the
men and women Of Labor accept the
assurance of our Government that So
cial, industrial and economic stand
ards set up and recognized by the
Government will be maintained and,
in turn, they assume, in full measure,
their responsibility for service of the
highest order both in industry and
for the Nation.
"The full use of our material re-
sources and the construction of naval
vessels, airplanes, tanks, guns and war
material is but part of national
preparedness. Full realization of any
goal set for the production of ma
terial to be used in the creation of
an adequate national defense would
avail nothing unless such achievement
would be supplemented by the creation
of an army large enough and strong
enough to man our defenses and to
resist successfully any attempt by
any enemy, no matter how large or
powerful it might be, to set foot upon
our Homeland. We are firmly of the
opinion that our Government should
formulate a plan designed to mobilize
adequate man power for national de-
fense and through the President make
known to Congress and the country
the man power need of the Nation.
Under such circumstances, it is my
opinion American Labor will support
the organization and creation of an
army large and strong enough to
meet national requirements.
eve do not regard the Burke
Wadsworth Bill, which provides for
compulsory military service, as a
well-planned measure. We cannot,
therefore, give it our approval and
support.
"If it becomes apparent that legis-
lation providing for compulsory mill
tary service is necessary such legis-
lation should embody provisions which
would adequately protect the econ
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