The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1940-01-25

labor movement, and pledged his CO.
operation with other officials of the
American Federation of Labor and
its affiliates to make effective every
feature of the A. F. of L. program.
Text of Meany's Address
The text of Mr.. Meany's address
follows:
81 certainly appreciate the warmth
of your welcome here this evening,
and l do hope that it is an indication
of pleasant association in the years
to come.
81 want to say at this time that the
American Federation of Labor has a
great deal to be thankful for, for the
years of service rendered by Secretary
Frank Morrison.
"You know it is an important thing
for an institution the type and char
acter of the American Federation Of
Labor to be able to present to the
public record of it's achievements and
a record of its affairs that is accepted
by the public as being its true record.
Pays Tribute to Morrison
"In the short time that l have been
in the office, including a few days
spent there with Brother Morrison be-
fore the first Of the year, | have learn
ed why the American Federation of
Labor has enjoyed that record of in
tegrity and the record for true pre-
sentation of the facts as to the con-
dition of the organization, not only
to the membership but to the public
at large.
| 81 find in that office a most loyal
and efficient staff. find in that Of
flee a system that is second to none,
and a system that reflects the intel
ligence and the years of effort given
to the American Federation of Labor
by the now Secretary Emeritus,
Brother Frank Morrison. | do not
think that we can possibly give him
TOO much credit for the position in
which we have been placed, where
nobody, not even our bitterest enemies,
questions the records and the books
of the American Federation of Labor
Fundamental Purpose of A. F. of L.
Is to Benefit Workers
"Now, ! am not going to take up a
great deal of your time. l do not
think that this is the time or the place
to discuss the specific problems that
we face at the present time.
"Suffice it to say that the problems
that labor as body face in America
today are many and complex. With
the development of modern industry
along scientific lines, with the mass
production methods, with the many
many changes that have come to US
through the developments of mechani.
cal science, through the development
of gigantic industrial corporations, we
have many problems.
"But | think it is we'll to bear ir
mind that no matter what these prob
lens are, and no matter how we move
to organize our forces to meet anC
overcome these obstacles which are
thrown in our way, these moderr
changes in business and industry dc
not in the slightest sense change The
purposes of the American Federation
Of Labor; and the purpose for which
this institution exists is the very same
purpose for which it was created by
those pioneers of labor 60 years ago
[ think if we bear that in mind ant
keep in mind first principles of thu
organized labor movement, we cal
and we will overcome any obstacles
and solve any problems that we have
at the present time and that may come
up in the years to come.
"The purpose of this organization
and the purpose of its existence today
is to improve the conditions of worl
and of life of the workers in thi
country, and there is no other pur
lpose. Anyone who attempts to diver
this organization from that purpos,
is doing disservice to the workers o.
America.
an order to carry out that purpos,
certain fundamental principles wer'
laid down by Samuel Gompers ant
those associated with him in the year
, gone by, and among those principles
is one principle that | want to pledg,
my allegiance to. That is the princi
pie that no political organization shall
ever control the labor movement o
America, that the labor movemen
shall never be the tail to politica
kite.
Samuel Gompers was wise far be
yond even what he knew, when he lai,
down that policy, because, with labo
free from political alliances, free from
political domination, labor is free t.
give effect to the real purpose TO
which our organizations are formed.
Cooperation Between Labor Leader
Held Essential
, $50 | pledge to you that | will d
r all | can to cooperate with Presiden
t Green and the other officials of tn
= American Federation of Labor and it
associated organizations, to carry on
that purpose, to give real and fuI
effect to that purpose; that in doin
so hope to have the cooperation o
all these organizations and of the me
at the head of them, because after al
| have discovered one thing in my eX
| Oh - l.