Evening journal., 1897-04-23
EMANDS OF LABOR.
,morial Sent to the President by
the Council.
ASKS FOR LEGISLATIVE RELIEF.
Appeal Signed by the Leading Mem
crs of the American Federation Re
citing the Grievances and Sup
plicating Legislation.

S,crs OF the American Federation Re
citing the Grievances and Sup
piicating Legislation.
Washington. April 2s.--The following
zmorial has been presented 10 the
&esident and members of the cabinet /
4 the executive council Of the Fedora
sn of Labor:
4 Multitudes Of our working people
Nnerican citizens-at this hour are |
Hnering humiliatlng poverty and |
2untless privations and look TO you
Il speedy relief. Last fall they were
.omised helpful legislation, and they
Hpect it from you without unnecessary
lay. In no party spirit we appeal to
u to heed their wants and to prompt
meet this unparalleled situation in
+ true spirit Of American patriotism.
Il with industry half paralyzed. trade
bgnant, values depressed and shrunk-
with enterprises stihed and the pro-
ctive power % labor palsied, with
r commerce lstfess on the seas. cur
Imense resources bHghted we bid you
+ stem the return OF better times. TO in
ire confidence and bring cheer and
rnfort to the homes of the millions OF
izens who now seek work and wages
vain.
In the name Of producers In shop
I'D factory, in mill and mine, in the
Ids and on our lakes and seas, in be-
alf of the toilers out Of work and
ose underpaid. we urge on you the
.cessity of legislative relief. The des-
tuition among the honest, proud and
dustrious people of our land, though
alf hidden, is ever increasing and be
ming more and more appalling. The
opes they had are fast turning tc
oomy despair.
'Tnvention, machinery and subdivi-
on of labor and the countless labor
+ spensing appliances to cheaper pro-
lction even in the best of times dis
rb permanency of employment, tend
reduce wages and intensity compe'
ton in nearly every field Of labor
+ dded to this, the unrest Z, e ,tTs1.nncflow o
Emigration from alb aiks mott pRniza
on of trusts, the ceil 2att0n ant
pncentration OF capital in the mani
Did mdustries-all make the existence
the workingmen more hard and pre-
arious. These changing conditions
Unknown to our forefathers, must no
e met by promises. broken TO tn
opes, but by substantial and remedla
glslatlon at the hands Of congress
The Federation's Demands.
.We therefore most respectfully me
lorlalize the president, cabinet an
Dngress of the United States. for tn
nactment Of these measures;T
"First.-Amendmen to thtf feder,
ght hour law, so as to secure-its praC
cal enforcement on all public work
or for the United States govern
lent, whether done by contract, sui
ontract or days work.
1--WE are sternly opposed TO the ev'
ions and violations of the presel
ight hour law by the heads Of the d
artments and officials in the feder
ervice.
..Second.-A remodeling of our imm
ration laws so as to secure an enlarge
protection to American citizens an
heir families.
Third. Reform in the national ban
ng system and i'm the issuance OF q
urrency Of the United States, $50 asf
ecure the people from the possihiliti
nd disasters of financial crises.
Fourth. appropriations
government public works and for {
Improvement OF rivers and harbors.
by the prompt adoption OF these !
ief measures at the hands Of congre
We firmly believe some degree of pre-
oerity may be restored and the co
hilton Of the people bettered We q
sure you the millions are now i'm
disposition to be trihed with They q
'ast becoming desperate. and deep d
heir mutterings of discomfort TIL
lesire to realize some of the prosper
so freely promised on the stump
months ago.
"Over three millions Of willing woi
PTS are idle. Shall they appeal to y
n vain? Shall the interests Of trus
indicates, monopolies corporate
and moneyed men remain Of more i
nortance than the welfare of toile
we trust not. We still believe the p
,le's representatives are not dead
he public welfare. We ask that q
Use to the patriotism Of This great
,asion and hasten to bring relief Co
masses Of their fellow citizens"
The memorial Is signed by Sam
Gompers. p. J. Mcclure. James Dl
an. James O'Connen, NJ. NJ Garla
John b. Lennon and Frank Morris
xecutive council of the American T
aration Of Labor.