The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1940-11-28
Facing The Facts
With PHILIP PEARL

nlclpal AUDITORIUM IN New Orleans
where more than 600 delegates repre-
senting the great family of trade
unions in the United States are gath
cred together for the Goth annual con-
vention of the American Federation
of Labor.
The scene is a vast theater, fes-
tooned with flags and ablaze with
lights, where in the next two weeks
labor's struggles for economic and So
cial justice will be enacted and poll
cies for the new year forged.
To say that we were impressed by
the setting for the convention is un-
reinstatement. But what impressed US
more was the spirit manifested by the
delegates as they met for what
promises to be one of the most momen-
tous conclaves in the history of the
American Federation of Labor.
We caught that spirit the moment
we entered the hall. 1t was a spirit
Of confidence, of victory, of unity. 1t
was friendly, harmonious, fraternal
spirit. 1t manifested itself not only
in the cordial greetings among the
delegates and in the enthusiastic re-
ceptions accorded the officers Of the
Federation and the speakers who ad-
dressed the convention but in the eyes,
the faces and the bearing Of everyone
connected with the convention.
AS one delegate expressed it:
"Well, here we are:-stronger in
every way than ever before, united as
never before. The public recognizes
the wisdom and the victory of our
principles. True we have our prob
lens, serious ones, but we are prepared
to deal with them in a practical and
constructive way. When this conven-
tion is over, the American people will
realize that the American Federation
of Labor has met every test in dem
ocratic and triumphant way"
In his opening address, President
William Green sounded the keynote
for this convention. He told of the
great progress made by the trade
unions of the American Federation of
Labor as reflected in the Executive
Councils annual report. He pledged
the full support of labor to the Gov
ernment in the national defense pro-
gram, he denounced the totalitarian
regimes of Europe, he expressed
prayer for the victory of Great Britain
and the cause of democracy.
Turning to the question of labor
Mr.. Green told of the efforts made by
the representatives of. the American
Federation of Labor to achieve unity
and the way these efforts were block
ed by the CIO. He pledged the full
cooperation of the American Fedora
ton of Labor to the President of the
United States in any future attempts
to reach settlement through confer
ences of committees sitting around
table.
But perhaps one of the most sig
nifcant points in his address was
overlooked by the press. President
Green disclosed that the great army
of workers in the American Feder
alton of Labor has compiled brilliant
record in the national defense drive.
Many projects have been completed
ahead of schedule. There have been
no Interruptions of work due to labor
disputes. The men and women of la
Dor have pitched in with their strength,
their skill and their training to do
the job set for them in an efficient
and patriotic way. And, Mr.. Green
added, the Government Of the United
States appreciates this cooperation.
That was where Secretary of War
Henry l.. Stimson stepped in. The
man drafted by President Roosevelt to
take charge of Americas vast de-
fense preparations gave high praise
to the trade unions of the American
Federation of Labor for the way they
have worked with him and the Govern
ment on the defense program. He
warned that labor may have to make
sacrifices, just as all other citizens,
before the national emergency is
over. But he pledged that the peace
full processes of collective bargaining
will be safeguarded and that the econ
omic and social gains made by labor
will be jealously safeguarded by a
Government intelligent enough to
know that morale of the people is
just as important to national defense
as vast armament machine.
Secretary Stimson's address was re-
ceived by the delegates with the
warmth it merited. The national policy
he enunciated is one which labor ap-
plauds and his remarks were happy
augury of closer and warmer relations
between organized labor and the Gov
ernment in a joint effort to preserve
America and democracy.