The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1941-08-28

cannot be too often repeated, for they
constitute the perfect refutation of
the charges by the enemies of trade
unionism that the workers of this
country are impeding the defense pro-
gram.
Taking all defense work from the
start of the program, only one man.
day of work has been lost as the re-
suit of an American Federation of
Labor strike in every 2,400 man-days
of work performed. In other words,
only one twenty-fourth of one per
cent of defense work time has been
lost because of an A. F. of L. work
stoppage. And, good as that record
is, we of the American Federation of
Labor are striving to better it if it is
humanity possible to do so.
Despite the defense program, which
has made jobs for millions who were
formerly unemployed, the problem of
unemployment still hangs over us
like a shadow. We are now en-
countering the problem in a novel
shape-defense unemployment. Essen
tial materials which are not available
in sufficient volume to take care Of
both defense and non-defense indus
tries are being routed to the defense
plants. Without materials factories
cannot operate, and when they shut
down their workers are added to the
unemployed. Obviously this is a grave
problem, and the American Federation
of Labor is alive to it.
Another tremendous problem before
the labor movement is the one which
may be summed up in the question,
"After the emergency-what then ?"
In other words, are we to have an
other and worse depression when the
defense program ends and all the
huge plants now engaged in produc-
ing the machines Of modern warfare
for the United States, for Britain and
for the other victims of aggression
shut down? Outside the labor move
ment this problem has received scant
consideration to date, though the i'm
portance of the question can scarcely
be exaggerated.
On this Labor Day of 1941 the
: strength of American labor, as rep.
resented by the American Federation
of Labor, is greater than it has ever
been. The actual paid membership OF
our organization, which will be avail
able for publication just prior to oul
5 convention, is at an all-time peak.
Not only have great membership
: gains been registered during the pas
= year, but also outstanding advance!
5 in wages and conditions of work havt
: been achieved in many thousands o
Instances by the organizations affiliat
A ed with the American Federation O
7 Labor.
But while we have much cause fo
:. satisfaction we cannot rest on ou
l oars. In my judgment our job is onl.
4 begun. We still have many million
e of unorganized workers in this coun
r try who are toiling long hours unde
f the most abdominable of condition
a and receiving for their labor tn
smallest pittances, and | believe it i
n our duty to carry the gospel of trad
r unionism to these downtrodden work
: ers, so that they, too, may enjoy de
f cent wages, short hours, job tenure
S vacations with pay and the man
n other benefits of organization unde
f the standard of a virile patriot
f labor movement.
/. In conclusion, | would stress tha
e the American Federation of Labor
|, first of all an American institution
Il We have M "iSm" hut An,ericanicn
e The American Federation of Labor
S built upon a solid foundation of devc
e ton and loyalty to our democrati
S form of government and its Const
tuition.
n In the critical situation in whic
II our country finds itself as a result c
W the totalitarian menace, much is e,
e pected of the loyal, freedom-lovin
l. American wage-earners represente