“MUST NOT FAIL”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20618, 20 November 1941, Page 9

“MUST NOT FAIL”

AMERICAN WORKERS PROVISION OF ARMS PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Nov. 19, 11 a.m.) DETROIT, Nov. 18. President Roosevelt sent a message to the convention of the Congress of Industrial Organisations to-day. After extending greetings and felicitations tc Mr. Philip Murray, President Roosevelt reminded members that the annual conventions of American labour groups are symbols of freedom in which all must make every sacrifice to maintain.

He said: “I have every confidence that your members, recognising the imperative needs of the American people in the interest of American defence, will co-operate with all other American groups in common and in the patriotic interest. Americans will demand such a contribution from management and labour and from all other groups for the preservation of the home, family and religion of the nation.”

Repeating part of his message to the American Federation of Labuor convention, he said: “American labour organisations to-day have a great responsibility. The enslaved workers throughout the world look to their American brothers for the production of weapons which will make them free again. American workers cannot and must not fail them in their hour of need and our hour of need."

All-Out Support

The convention greeted the resolution advocating all-out support for President Roosevelt’s policy of aid to Britain, Russia and China with a thunder of applause. Mr. Sanders Gcnis, vice-president of the Textile Workers’ Union, declared that he did not favour abandoning any of Labour’s principles, but he regarded the existing defence emergency as more important than helping 35,000 miners to get a “closed shop” now.

Mr. Michael Quill, president of the Transport Workers’ Union, urged full support to the Allies. “We have had trouble with Senator Nye and Mr. Herbert Hoover,” he said, “but the lone eagle will be turned into a lone vulture before we are finished with the isolationists.”

At every mention of President Roosevelt’s foreign policy, delegates applauded. Banners were flung across the conversation hall, reading: “Adolf loves Lindy” and “Don’t be a Fifth Wheeler.” No one rose to challenge the resolution supporting President Roosevelt’s foreign policy.

The president, Mr. Philip Murray, appealed for defence unity because “this problem transcends in importtion.”

ance any other before this convenThe resolution was adopted by ( a standing vote, which was called unanimous, although most delegates representing the United Mine Workers’ Association remained seated.