The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1900-11-03
PRESENT Policies
OF THE ADMINISTRATION IS OP-
POSED BY LABOR MAN.
Andrew Furuseth, Chairman of the
Legislative Committee of the
American Federation of Labor,
Makes Notable Declaration
Against Imperialism-Cheap Labor
is the Object.

Makes Notable Declaration
Against Imperialism-Cheap Labor
is the Object.
Andrew Furuseth, secretary Of the
Seamen's union of the Pacific, is, per-
haps, the best known trade unionist on
this coast, and one of the foremost
men in the labor movement in the
United States. AS secretary of the Sea-
mems union, he has done more than
any other one man, outside of con-
gress, to secure for the sailors in Amer
lean ships the ameliora tons in their
conditions which have been brought
about in the last half-dozen years.
For several years his union has kept
him in Washington during the sessions
|Cf Congress, and the laws which have
made seamen somewhat better stu
lated than slaves are a monument to
the industry and ability with which he
has advocated their cause before the
and members of the house
and senate.
During the last two years Mr.. Fur
uSCA1A has DCCA CAdAIuAo4A VI SAC SO11I>
mittee on legislation Of the American
Federation of Labor-the great organ
ization which contains practically every
trade union in the country, representing
over a million members. In this posi-
ton he has been personally in charge
of the measures which embody the leg
islation desired by the laboring men of
the country-such measures as the g.
hour bill, the bill abolishing the use
of the injunction in labor disputes, and
the numerous other bills providing for
fair treatment for workers both afloat
and ashore.
It will thus be seen that no man in
the labor movement is better qualified
to judge of the meaning of present po-
llitical movements and that none is bet
ter prepared to advise laboring men
and all who sympathize with them as to
the side they should take on present
issues.
Mr.. Furueseth was found at his Of
flee a, the headquarters of the Seamen' S
union, and asked to make a statement
of his position on the issues bound up
in what is known as imperialism by
the Democrats and as expansion by the
Republicans. He complied with entire
Willingness, saying:
'Never before have l cared which
party should win" The labor movement
tends ins,asstla
organizat lions, and VT have always de-
sired to see our friends successful and
our enemies defeated, regardless of par
ty. But this year the parties them
selves divide on questions which are
fundamental. At such time, our
friends are those who are for the prin-
ciples which mean liberty to organize
and freedom from Asiatic competition:
our enemies are those who advocate
principles that would be fatal to our
organiza tons and to the standard of
wages which white men must have.
can best express my position on the
dangerous expansion proposed by the
present Administration by a quotation.
This quotation is from the report of the
committee on presidents report of the
American Federation Of Labor, and
was unanimously endorsed py the last
convention of the Federation. 1t there
fore fairly represents the position OF
organized labor. 1t is as follows:
We note with keenest apprehension
the departure on the part Of our pres
ent government from the ideals and
principles of human liberty. When in
the hour of intense suffering and strug-
gle the fathers of the republic wrote
for the first time in recorded history
into political document this imperish-
able truth. that all men are created
equal. and by their Maker endowed
with certain inalienable rights, among
which are the rights to life, liberty
and the pursuit Of happiness, it was
meant for all men and all times; not
only on the religious and political fields
but on the industrial field as we'll. 1t
was given to us by Him who suffered
on the cross, and has conquered alb
solutism in religion and in the state
1t is taking hold of our industrial &C.
tivities, remodeling and harmonizine
them with itself. Any step backward
in practice, and especially in principle
in this evolution toward a complete
democracy. is fraught with the great.
l est uduScIS 10 !" IIlS lOllcI
in the sugar fields: of Hawaii is com
PEELED to- continue to. labor against hi:
WILL it is an attack upon the freedom
of the workers in the kindred industrie:
within the old states. When the Cub
| ans, the Porto Rican>, and the Filipin.
os are deprived Of the right of self-gov.
eminent by our ruling class, it is ou1
1 r;~l, ;al, to- A.,
| When the military arm of the govern
ment, unduly enlarged, is permitted t
exhibit it's inherent tendency, whether
it be in Cuba, in Idaho, or in the Phil
Iippines, then freedom is the graves
danger. Absolutism, protected ant
stimulated by a large standing arm,
and encouraged by a disarmed people
brushes all opposition, assumes all rea
power, while it leaves the trapping
thereof to a people who, feeling TIL
substance gone, all the more worship
the insignia that remains. Feeling tina
this is our present condition, we urg'
upon all lovers Of political and indus
trial liberty to unite, regardless of pc
litical or other immediate interest, il
the defense of this Fundamental
principle. We warn our people agains
the plausible arguments advanced i,
support of extension or territorial do