[Show] the capitalists that we will not permit
ourselves to be made cannon fodder
for their interests.
-William Sims, Janitors’ Union
Hellraisers Journal, Wednesday February 7, 1917
Chicago, Illinois – Chicago Federation of Labor Protests War
The Chicago Federation of Labor met February 4th at its regular bi-monthly meeting, the day after President Wilson announced his decision to break off diplomatic relations with Germany. Concerning the grim prospect of war, the following resolution was passed by the delegates:
The Chicago Federation of Labor protests against this country taking part in the European War and demands that all American citizens be prevented from entering the war zone.
From The New York Times of February 4, 1917:
From The Chicago Daily Tribune of February 5, 1917:
CHICAGO LABOR PROTESTS
WAR WITH GERMANY
—–
Demands That All American Citizens
Be Kept from Belligerent Zone.
—–
The Chicago Federation of Labor at its bi-monthly meeting in Musicians’ hall yesterday voiced a unanimous protest against possible war with Germany.
A resolution introduced by John J. Walt and addressed to President Wilson and the senators and congressmen from Illinois was passed by acclamation it read:
The Chicago Federation of Labor protests against this country taking part in the European War and demands that all American citizens be prevented from entering the war zone.
Bernard Berlyn, Socialist member, announced that the socialists of the city would hold a large mass meeting next Friday or Saturday in a downtown hall to protest against war with Germany.
“Want Every Union Man.”
[Said Mr. Berlyn:]
We want every union man in Chicago present. We wish to make conclusively evident that the working men of the United States have no quarrel with the working men of other nations. We wish to demonstrate our set purpose not to sacrifice our lives, our wives, and our children to the self-seeking capitalists who are now endeavoring to plunge us into the horrors of war.
We want to preface the mass meeting by a gigantic parade of the workers of the city which will prove to the capitalistic class that we do not want war and will do all in our power to keep the nation from entering a conflict, all the burdens and sorrows of which will fall upon the laboring people.
We are going to demand that the nation remain at peace. If our voices are strong enough we may not have to fight.
“Lost Patriotism at San Juan.”
William Sims, a Negro, of the Flat Janitors’ union, a veteran of the Spanish-American campaign in Cuba, said:
I lost all my patriotism at San Juan hill. If every workman will do his duty to himself, his wife and children, he will remain peacefully at his work. If the authorities try to force him into the army he will say: “Shoot me on the spot. I will not enlist.” This is a common sense way of showing the capitalists that we will not permit ourselves to be made cannon fodder for their interests.
President John Fitzpatrick said that the attitude of the Chicago Federation should be in accord with that taken by the American Federation of Labor at its annual convention two years ago.
[Said Mr. Fitzpatrick:]
The American federation went on record then that labor would not support congress in any steps which would involve this country in the European struggle. The laboring people of America are opposed to all war.
Mary O’Reilly of the [Women’s] Trade Union league said a telegram should be sent to the president reminding him that he was elected on the slogan, “Thank god for Wilson; he has kept us out of the war.”
The federation adopted a resolution to send such a telegram.
———-
GOMPERS USES LABOR CUDGEL
TO PREVENT WAR
—–
Washington, D. C., Feb. 4.-[Special.]-Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor, today appealed to the secretary of the German federation to use his influence and that of his organization to prevent war with the Unites States.
A cablegram, addressed by Mr. Gompers to Secretary Legien of the German Federation at Berlin, was made public tonight, together with a statement giving the president of the American federation credit for preventing war between the United States and Mexico last June.
It was stated in labor circles that Mr. Gompers, having appealed to the German labor group to exert its influence with the Berlin government, will himself bring strong pressure to bear on President Wilson.
During the row with Carranza last summer, which resulted in the calling out of the national guard, Mr. Gompers saw the president and made strong representations against war. Mr. Gompers in turn addressed a telegram to Gen. Carranza urging him to comply with the demand in order to avoid war.
Labor Back of Wilson?
New York, Feb. 4.-[Special]-That organized labor, in spite of the fact that it is opposed to war, would be behind President Wilson in the present crisis was the statement of Ernest Bohm, secretary of the Central Federated union.
———-
[Emphasis and photographs added.]
SOURCES
The Chicago Daily Tribune
(Chicago, Illinois)
-Feb 5, 1917
https://www.newspapers.com/image/28697241/
The Evening World
(New York, New York)
-Feb 3, 1917
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030193/1917-02-03/ed-1/seq-1/
IMAGES
WWI, US Break w Germany, NYT Feb 4, 1917
https://www.newspapers.com/image/24850729/
Chicago Federation of Labor organized Nov 9, 1896
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Federation_of_Labor
Samuel Gompers, 1911
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2004672095/
See also:
From The New York Times of Feb 4, 1917
“Text of President Wilson’s Address”
Speech given Feb. 3rd before joint session of Congress:
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9404E4DD1538EE32A25757C0A9649C946696D6CF&legacy=true
More from The New York Times of Feb 4, 1917
“Break With Austria, Too”
“Still Hopes Against War”
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9807E4DD1538EE32A25757C0A9649C946696D6CF&legacy=true
Carl Legien
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Legien