ilance 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