Gompers has thus been the political watchman of the labor interests.Nothing pertaining, even remotely, to labor conditions escapes the vigilance of his Washington office.During President Wilson's administration, Gompers's influence achieved a power second to none in the political field, owing partly to the political power of the labor vote which he ingeniously marshalled, partly to the natural inclination of the dominant political party, and partly to the strategic position of labor in the war industries.
The Great War put an unprecedented strain upon the American Federation of Labor.In every center of industry laborers of foreign birth early showed their racial sympathies, and under the stimuli of the intriguing German and Austrian ambassadors sinister plots for crippling munitions plants and the shipping industries were hatched everywhere.Moreover, workingmen became restive under the burden of increasing prices, and strikes for higher wages occurred almost daily.
At the beginning of the War, the officers of the Federation maintained a calm and neutral attitude which increased in vigilance as the strain upon American patience and credulity increased.As soon as the United States declared war, the whole energies of the officials of the Federation were cast into the national cause.In 1917, under the leadership of Gompers, and as a practical antidote to the I.W.W.and the foreign labor and pacifist organization known as The People's Council, there was organized The American Alliance for Labor and Democracy in order "to Americanize the labor movement." Its campaign at once became nation wide.Enthusiastic meetings were held in the great manufacturing centers, stimulated to enthusiasm by the incisive eloquence of Gompers.At the annual convention of the Federation held in Buffalo in November, 1917, full endorsement was given to the Alliance by a vote of 21,602 to 401.In its formal statement the Alliance declared: "It is our purpose to try, by educational methods, to bring about a more American spirit in the labor movement, so that what is now the clear expression of the vast majority may become the conviction of all.Where we find ignorance, we shall educate.Where we find something worse, we shall have to deal as the situation demands.But we are going to leave no stone unturned to put a stop to anti-American activities among workers." And in this patriotic effort the Alliance was successful.
This was the first great step taken by Gompers and the Federation.The second was equally important.With characteristic energy the organization put forward a programme for the readjustment of labor to war conditions."This is labor's war"declared the manifesto issued by the Federation."It must be won by labor, and every stage in the fighting and the final victory must be made to count for humanity." These aims were embodied in constructive suggestions adopted by the Council of National Defense appointed by President Wilson.This programme was in a large measure the work of Gompers, who was a member of the Council.The following outline shows the comprehensive nature of the view which the laborer took of the relation between task and the War.The plan embraced 1.Means for furnishing an adequate supply of labor to war industries.
This included: (a) A system of labor exchanges.(b) The training of workers.(c) Agencies for determining priorities in labor demands.(d) Agencies for the dilution of skilled labor.
2.Machinery for adjusting disputes between capital and labor, without stoppage of work.
3.Machinery for safeguarding conditions of labor, including industrial hygiene, safety appliances, etc.
4.Machinery for safeguarding conditions of living, including housing, etc.
5.Machinery for gathering data necessary for effective executive action.
6.Machinery for developing sound public sentiment and an exchange of information between the various departments of labor administration, the numerous industrial plants, and the public, so as to facilitate the carrying out of a national labor programme.
