Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-08
APPEAL FOR LEGISLATION
American Federation of Labor Presents a
Memorial to Congress.
Against Writs of Injunction, Convict
Labor, Undesirable Immf4ratfOn-
Favors EiEht-Hour Workdny.

In compliance with instructions OF the
annual convention of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor, held recently at Nash
VILE, Tenn, the legislative committee,
which is composed of President Gompers
Secretary Morrison and Andrew Furuseth,
have prepared petition to Congress ask
ing for certain legislation deemed essen
tial to the prosperity of the laboring men
of this country.
The memorial, a copy Of which will be at
once forwarded to each senator and repre-
sentative, Is as follows:
The rapid Industrial changes in modern
society press heaNilyiupon those who must
toll as wage-workers; skill which required
years to acquire is often made valueless in
a month. Introduction Of new machinery
and new methods Continually throws large
numbers into idleness and want.
When by organization and combined ac-
ton we seek some telief. we are met by
writs of injunctions, forbidding us to ad-
means to protect our interests: to quit such
work as We may at the time be engaged
in performing, and laws already on the
statute books are construed and used to
compel men to labor against their will.
Again. we are brought into competition
with the convicts of our own other
states, by sundry articles being made in
the different penal institutions.
Importation of Labor.
Laborers are imported from other coun-
tries to reduce our wages and thereby our
standard of living. BY these several meth
DDS we feel ourselves unduly wronged and
oppressed, unable to exercise that indie
pendence becoming to and an indispensable
attribute of the labering people in a demo-
cratic country and In modern civilized life.
We feel that we have a right to bring
our grievances to the attention OF and to
expect from the law-making power such
definite measures Of relief as seem most
likely to improve our condition and pre-
serve our independence and freedom as
workers and citizens, and therefore urge
your earnest consideration of and your best
efforts in enacting into law the following
measures:
An eight-hour workday on ali public
works. Such law to provide that all con-
tracts subcontrects for materials fur
n!shed or work done must contain a proViso
that eight hours shall be the maximum la
Dor of any one individual in any one calen-
dar day. Further, that it shall be the duty
of officials vested with the power Of signing
such contract to withhold their signatures
until such proviso Is inserted therein.
In order to stop the indiscriminate and
dangerous use Of the writ Of Injunction, we
urge the adoption of Senate bill 90
To free those who are yet bondmen I'M
der our statutes, and in order that such
bondage may not be used as an excuse for
extending 1t to the workers Of other call
ings. we ask the enactment into law of
Senate bill 95.
In order to in some degree lessen the
competition of convict labor, we urge the
adoption of a law to prohibit the transpor-
tatiGa of prison-made goods from one state
into any other state or territory.
We urge the adoption of reasonable law
to restrict undesirable immigration, such
law to be based upon an educational quail
flcation.
Ask for Hearing.
When the bills on these various subjects
are referred to their respective committees
we shall submit such reasons as seem to us
sufficient for the above requests.
In conclusion, we submit that we have
the right to expect all members of Con-
gress to vote in favor of these measures
when being finally considered. In addition,
however, we hope there may be many will
ing to give special attention and assistance
in furtherance of these measures, and as
sCrances of such may be addressed to eth
er Of the undersigned.
By order of the seventeenth annual con-
vention of the American Federation of La
Dor, held at Nashville. Tenn, December
1921. 1897.
The circular is signed by Samuel Comp
ers, president A. F. Of L.; Frank Morrison,
secretary; Andrew Furuseth, legislative
committee.