The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1942-01-08
Facing The Focfs
With PHILIP PEARL

We are making no rosy predictions
for the coming year America is at
war. We are at war with the meanest
bunch of cutthroats that ever banded
together in the history of the world.
They are going to stop at nothing in
their efforts to destroy US because
they know that if they lose they and
everything they stand for will be de-
stroyed.
In such war, the going is bound to
be tough for US. But if it hurts to
give up many Of the privileges and
gains which we have achieved in the
past, we can remind ourselves that
life under totalitarian rule would be
million times worse.
All Of us must realize by now that
we are fighting our own personal bat
tie in this war. Our lives are at stake.
| Our way Of life hangs in the balance.
In such war, there can be no half
measures. Every one Of US must give
all he is capable of giving. There can
be no thought of sitting back and TAX
ing it easy and letting the other fel-
low do the sacrificing and risking.
Labor Takes the Lead
Labor, we are glad to say, is not
sitting back. 1t is taking the lead 1t
is showing the American people by
prompt and convincing action that the
nations army of workers can be de-
pended upon in this critical emer-
gency.
Scarcely had the echoes of the Jap
anese bombing of Pearl Harbor
reached American shores, when the
leaders of the American Federation Of
Labor got on the move. While Con-
gress was still considering declara-
tions of war against the Axis powers,
President William Green sent out a
summons for a special meeting of the
Executive Council and an extraor-
dinary convocation Of the presidents
of all affiliated national and interna-
tional unions.
The Executive Council drew up
declaration on war labor policy which
was sweeping, uncompromising and
clear to everyone. On the following
day, the officers Of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor and its constituent
unions adopted a unanimous program
which constituted a clarion call to the
nations service.
This program called for the utter
defeat of the enemies of democracy;
for all-out aid by labor to America
and her allies; for no interruptions
of production by strikes and lockouts,
and for settlement Of industrial dis
putes by peaceful means through the
medium of a War Labor Board.
The wisdom of this leadership was
evidenced by the results. Within a
few days, conference of labor and
industry representatives called by
President Roosevelt reached agree
ment on a plan substantially the same
as the one offered by the American
Federation of Labor.
Enlisted for the Duration
As this is being written, President
Roosevelt is about to name the new
War Labor Board. The American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor and its unions have
pledged themselves to abide by its
policies and decisions. They have vol
unfairly renounced the exercise of the
right to strike during the war for any
cause. They have enthusiastically
dedicated themselves to the task Of
producing the implements of war in
ever increasing amounts until Amer
ica's enemies are crushed. They have
enlisted for the duration of the war
on the industrial front.
There can be no question that the
five million rank and file members of
| the Federation will live up to the