The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1940-01-04
Green Mobi|izes Unions To Protect
American Democratic Institutions
Warns That Propdgandists
In u. S. Work to Overthrow
Our Government
MASSES ENSLAVED
"Totdlitdridnism" Is Directly
Opposed To Freedom
Of America

Washington, ID. ca militantly
worded warning that American insti-
tutions based on democracy are threat
ened by the open and secret activities
within the United States of propagan-
dists for the various forms Of dictator
ship that have riveted the chains Of
slavery to the masses in a number of
European countries and a call to
unions affiliated with the American
Federation Of Labor to stand solidly
against this subversive propaganda
and line up as one solid phalanx to
protect American democracy against
all its enemies, featured a letter sent
by William Green, president Of the
American Federation Of Labor, to
over eight hundred A. F. of L. city
central bodies.
Declaring that the history of the
American Federation Of Labor during
the ffty-nine years of it's existence
has been a solid record Of loyalty to
the American form of government and
the principles of liberty and freedom
safeguarded by the Constitution, Mr..
Green asserted that the best way to
make this record of loyalty still more
effective is for American Federation
of Labor unions everywhere to initiate
vigorous organizing campaigns and
thus bring more and more workers
under the direct influence Of the A.
F. of L. and secure for them the econ
omic and social benefits which are
guaranteed by an organization pro-
tected against the subversive influence
of the Communists and groups allied
with them.
Following is the text Of Mr. Green's
letter to A. F. of L. city central
bodies:
"The wage earners Of the United
States have real reason for gratitude
during the Christmas season.
"We do not live in constant fear of
the terrors Of war and we live in
land where freedom still exists.
"We have responsibility for main
tanning the blessings of peace and lib
erty.
against those dangers which
threaten from within our boundaries,
the Government must be responsible,
but against those dangers which come
from within the organized wage earn
ers of the country have a response
bility proportional to their interests
involved.
Against subversive labor organiza-
tions under foreign control unions are
a frst-line defense as against efforts
at Fascist government control.
"We have been shocked and in
dignant at the alliance between Nazi
and Communist government for ag-
gression against independent nations.
"In the terror which Communist
Russia and Nazi Germany have made
lies warning to every American cit
izen and to every American organiza-
ton that value human freedom and
respect human rights.
owe are not immune from this ter
ror. Communists are within our bor-
ders who look to the Soviet Union for
orders and who place the red flag
above all others. Communists are
within our borders who will under
oath deny their Communist party al
legiance in order to make terror
among those who refuse to see or
think evil
"We must ever be on guard against
control of the Government by any
group or interest. The possibilities
Of a Fascist government lie in the
failure of citizens to guard and exer-
else their democratic rights. Govern
ment autocracy may creep upon US
through our failure to protect our
selves.
"We face an issue which permits
no compromise-the preservation Of
our republican form Of government
with democratic rule and a democratic
way of life.
GAS President of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor l csi, upon every
union affiliated with the American
Federation of Labor to pledge itself
again to the maintenance of our
democratic institutions against their
enemies lurking in our midsts and
seeking the sanctuary Of freedom
which our Nation guarantees to it's
citizens.
Communists must be known for
what they are and not protected in
the name of civil liberties which they
outraged in Poland and Finland while
they prepare for terror here.
"The American Federation of La
Dor, which for nearly six decades has
never compromised with the enemies
of free institutions, exercises it's pre-
rogative as to spokesman for Labor
Continued on Page Six)