The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-10-14
DIRECT LEGISLATION
GETS SPLENDID BOOST
Labor Unions Everywhere are
Pushing Organization for
the Referendum.
New Jersey State Federation OF
Labor Latest to Organize
for New Movement.

WaehingtOn, D. c., oct. 1z.-\OlIecC
LEGISLATION Press Bureau)-Three years
aRo the American Federation Of Labor,
with its membership of about two mil
Hon, representing one-eighth OF the
people ot this country, adopted q pro-
gram for a ncn-partisan movement to
install the Optional Referendum md
the, Direct Initiative, declaring that
the establishment Of the peoples SOW
ereiEnty is the dominant issue. TO
teach the members the real scope OF
this political movement, which has re-
ouired considerable work, has steadily
progressed, however. until practically
every member Of the labor unions
heartily favors the program and is pre-
pared to carry 1t out, even to the sever
ing party ties If necessary. The latest
State Federation Of Labor to take up
the work is that Of New jersey. AT
its annual meeting last week a resolu-
ton was adopted declaring:
Resolved. That The Initiative and
Referendum is one of the most vial
reforms now being demanded by the
working people in the interest OF the
masses and indeed of the entire COM
munity.
Another paragraph says:
"Resolved, That I'VE heartily endorse
the program Of the American Fedora
ton of Labor, the Pennsylvania Feder-
alton Of La Dor, the Pennsylvania State
Grange, the Peoples Sovereignty
League and the National Direct Lexis-
lation League for the establishment OF
the Advisory Initiative and Advisory
Referendum in national affairs as the
result of next years campaign. the
majority vote In the House to be Sc
cured through the questioning of can
didates for Congress and the majority
vote in the Senate by pledging the
candidates for the Legislature that, 1t
elected, they will vote to instruct the
hold-oyer seniors and will vote only
for such candidates for the United
States Senate as are pledged to the
system.''
That is q. political program that IS
far reaching and when placed IN op-
Grafton will wipe out the corrupt party
machines in national affairs, also pr1-
vate monopoly in Interstate commerce.
But the convention did~not stop there
but added:
Resolved, THAT the incoming Exec
utive Board be instructed to have in
troduced in the legislature bill for the
immediate establishment Of the lnlt1a-
tive and Referendum in municipal af-
fairs, also bill for the immediate es-
tablishnent of the Advisory Initiative
and Advisory Referendum in state af-
fairs, and e. DILL for Direct Nomina-
tions for public Office
That program will revolutionize New
Jerseys corrupt city governments,
while the advisory system in state
affairs will overcome the delay that an
effort to directly amend the state con-
stitution would entail.
The proposed changes to the peo-
pies sovereignty In New Jersey and
throughout the county that is being
pushed by the non partisan question
irg Of candidates Of all the parties, Is
a silent revolution which, when ac-
complished will effectually reform the
abuses that have grown up under
representative system. 1t will abolish
corruption and private monopoly and
secure rights to ALL