River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-04-29
LARoR'S PLEA.
Federation PieseBgs Memorial to
President. Cabinet and Congress.

Federation Presents Memorial Ia
President. Cabinet md Congress.
Washington, April 23.-Thc following
memorial has been presented TO the
president and members of the cabinet
ton of Labor. II bears the signatures
of the following members of the eN-
ecutive council: Samuel Gompers, T.. j..
Mcclure. James Duncan, James O'Con-
nell, NJ. NJ. Garland, John b. Lennon
and Frank Morrison;
ITO the President. Cabinet and Congress
Of the United States of America Gentle
men: Multitudes OF our working people
American citzens-at this hour are suf-
ferlng humiliating poverty and countless
ptivations. and lock 10 you for speedy re-
lief Last fall they were promised help
FIJI legislation. and they expect ii from you
without unnecessary delay. In no party
spirit we appeal TO you 10 heed their wants
and to promptly meet this unparalleled
situation in the true spirit of American
patriotism.
with industry paralyzed. trade stag
nant, values depressed and shrunken. with
enterprise stif1ed and the productive power
of labor palsied. with our commerce list
less on the seas and our immense resources
blighted. we bid you haste the return Of
better times. to inspire confidence and
bring cheer and comfort to the homes of
the millions of citizens who now seek work
and wages in vain
I'm the name of the producers In shop
and factory, in mill and mine, in the fields
and on our lakes and seas. in behalf of the
toilers out of work and of those under
paid, we urge on you the necessity of iegis-
lative relief The restitution among the
honest, proud and industrious people of
cur land, though half hidden, IS ever in
hcpnn1inny a n
palling. The hopes they had are fast turn
ing to gloomy despair.
Invention. machinery. the suhdiy ision Of
labor and the countless or-dispensing
appliances to cheaper production, even in
the best of times, disturb the perma nency
of employment, tend to reduce wages and
intensity competition in nearly every field
of labor Added to this the unrestricted
flow of immigration from abroad the or
ganization of trusts, the Capitalization and
concentration of capital in the manifold
industries-all make the existence of the
workingman more hard and precarious.
These changing conditions, unknown in
cur forefathers' times. must be met not
by promises. broken to the hopes. but by
substantial and remedial legislation at the
hands of congress.
I'VE therefore most respectfully memo
rialize the president. cabinet and congress
of the United States for the enactment Of
these measures:
l. Amendment TO the IeueTdl elgNt-hOlr
law to secure its practical enforce
ment on all public works by or for the
United States government, whether done
by contract, subcontract or days work.
We are sternly opposed to the evasions
and violations of the present eight-hour
law by the heads of the departments and Of
ficials in the federal service.
80 A remodeling of our immigration
laws so a s to secure an enlarged protection
to American citizens and their families.
g. Reform in the national banking sys-
tenn and in the issuance of the currency of
the United States so as TO secure the peO-
pie from the possibilities and disasters of
financial crisis.
4. Liberal appropriations for govern
ment public works and for the improve
ment of rivers and harbors.
by prompt adoption of these relief
measures at the hands of congress we firm
ly believe some degroe of prosperity may
be restored and the conditions of the peo-
pie bettered We assure you the millions
are now in no disposition TO be trifed
with. They are fast becoming desperate
and deep are their mutterings of discon-
tent. They desire to realize some of the
prosperity so freely promised on the stump
six months ago.
over 100000 willing workers are idle:
shall they appeal 10 YOU in vain? Shall
the interests Of trusts, syudica tcs monop-
olics. corporations and moneyed men re-
main of more importance than the well
fare Of the toilers? We trust not We still
believe the peoples representatives are not
dead to the public welfare. We ask that
they rise to the patriotism of this great
occasion and hasten to bring relief TO the
masses of their fellow citizens"