The Minneapolis journal., 1903-10-01
Says President Roosevelt Only En-
forced the Law in the Miller
@.I Case. .s&t.,.~
Adds that He Is Opposed to the
"Open Shop" in Private
y" Business. .-
Calls upon Laborers to Organize, IT.
respective of Sex, Race or
- Greed.
council of tho Annarican EederatiA of

Washington, Oct 1.-The executive
council Of the American Federation Of
Labor has issued the following address,
To Organized Labor OF America Greeting
Dear Sirs and Brothers: The executive council
Of the American Federation Of Labor has re-
GENTLY addressed organized labor by circular on
subjects including bills which will be introduced
IN the Forthcoming session of congress In the
interest OF the wage earners OF our country ana
which were committed to by You thru your
representatives at the last American Federal tion
of Labor convention. Since then the executive
council has held several sessions and of all leg
islative measures the cight-hour and the anti
injunction bills have received our especial atten
tion.
The eight-hour day. because of the wonderful
Improvement in the methods Of wealth produc-
tior by which the needs OF man and the luxu-
ries of life can be ted in n workday of
eight hours, demand its enforcement not only
In private employment but also ON all work
performed by on behalf of the government
whether the employment be direct, by contract
or by subcontract
Sock to Avoid Strikes. .a-
While we seek to avoid and avert strikes and
industrial disputes, any attempt to cripple the
right of labor to strike as last resort in de-
fense of our rights simply means labors ensla We
mont; for industrial tranquility by agreement
thru the methods of concihatio and fair arbi-
tration is only possible and sttainable when
the workers organized and have the liberty
to exercise their constitutional rights. .s-~-
The writ Of injunction in It's proper sphere
Is right and protection. 1t never designed
FOR the purpose to which 1t Is put In IN
dustrial disputes. There Is not now upon the
statute books of any state or upon the statute
books Of the federal government line upon
which authority is given the courts for the issu-
ance of injunctions such have been issued in
industrial disputes. 1t Is rot the Use but the
abuse by the courts Of the writ Of injunction
aga inst which protest. which Is In direct con-
dict with the rights guaranteed to people
by the constitution Of our country. - + e.. !
Unions Are Law Abiding.
i, tod 1oh
law-abIding faithful and loyal citizens. They
hare nc desire for immunity from the laws gov
ernng other citizens, but they most emphati cally
perform, and then, too, without the right Of II
trial by a jury of their peers. 's.it
The American principle of equal justice before
the law Is being violated day after day. The
relics of antiquated tyranny are being revived by
Judges, while others misnterpret exist
ing law to thereby aim to financially ruin
our unions and mulct out Of their hard
earned savings which they have endeavored to
lay aside for their protection in middle or old
age. when the employing class and society have
further for their services. ~ .&s+
All really educated and honest men realize
and admit that tfloro organization 81 the work
ing people to render employment and means Of
subsistence less precarious. by securing them an
equitable share of the fruits of their labor,
Is the most vital necessity Of our time.
without such organization Of labor in pres:
ent industrial Of wealth concentration even
fair degree Of industrial peace could not be
maintained: the wage workers conditions would
be forced down to the lowest possible plane:
their liberty would be crushed; their manhood
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