Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-27
PROPOSED. CATECHISM
MR.. GOMPERY METHOD OF QUIZ
ZINC CANDIDATES.
Must Answer Certain Questions a. to
Their Position in Regard to
Labor Legislation.

President Gompers of the Federation or
Labor has outlined a plan for auizzing can
d.dates for state legislatures and members
Of Congress Of all parties so that their po-
sition on the various measures desired by
organized labor may be learned. In spe-
cial number Of the American Federationist
Mr.. Gompers says:
THE American Federation Of Labor d.
rected that certain national measures sfail
be presented to the conventions and candi-
dates of all the political parties as means
of informing them as to the profound
earnestness of organized labor in asking tor
such laws. and for the purpose Of enabling
trade unionists to select intelligently from
among the aspirants for legislative honors
To that end the extra number of the Ameri-
can Federationist Is published. containing
letters to the central and local unions. q
copy of the three national measures that
are most urgently demanded"
The measures referred to as being desired
by the labor organizations are the eight
hour bills pending before Congress. the
anti-injunction bill and more power in the
people through the initiative and referen-
dunn. President Gompers also states that
the object of the Federation of Labor In
cludes the securing of legislation in the In
terest Of the working people. The method
of securing legislation is the trade union
system as distinguished from party politics.
Questioning Of Candidates.
The questioning of candidates for polit-
ical preferment in each district Is to be
by committee or committees Of the
trades unions in such districts. work
ing in unison throughout the country"
Letters of introduction to secretaries Of
city central bodies. and If none exist. to
secretaries of local unions urging the
appointment of committees to take this
matter in charge. will be sent out. The
line. and states:
Dear Sirs and Brothers: The A. F. of
L. provides a system for notifying con-
ventions and questioning legislative can
the system be applied toward the enact
ment of our national anti-inJunction bill
national eght-hour bill and the installa-
ton OF the initiative ana referendum in
national affairs. The time has arrived
for applying the system. Questions have
been prepared for presentation to the leg
islative candidates of the several parties,
letter.
Copies for presentation to the candi-
dates for Congress and the legislature in
your district will be supplied to your leg
islative committee upon receipt by us Of
Kindly instruct the chairman to write for
copies Tor questioning candidates and to
present them. also to report progress at
eacn regular meeting of the union.
II the questioning of candidates ia
heartily pushed by all the unions. there
Is an excellent prospect for success.
Please keep me advised of the work
zone by your central body and what
progress Is being made"
This Is signed by Samuel Gompers. nresi
cent. VINO. In defining the issue saws:
The issue is the establishment of the
people sovereignty. 1t Is not only q la Dor
question: nor simply question of capital
ism, but a question of monopoly. Shall
the monopoly of the political power of the
country be In all the people or continued in |
the ruling few? 1t is the people against
the monopolists"
Questions Submitted.
The questions to be submitted to the can
d1dates for political honors are: D.. $50
VIII you vote against government by |
injunction by voting for our bill on that
subject?
viii you vote for our eight-hour bill?
viii you vote for the peoples soyer- |
eighty by voting to establish in the people |
A right to direct vote on public cues
tions?"
Mr. Gompers says a ''clear-cut answer,
yes or no." is desired to each of the above |
questions. If any candidate refuses to |
come out for the people, ,.'squarely. openly |
and in writing, signed by himself the |
Federation of Labor proposes to give the |
facts the widest possible publicity In the |
district of the candidate who thus refuses |
II need be opposition meetings opposing such |
candidate will be held in his district A |
refusal to reply within ten days will be |
considered negative to the questions