Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-04-17
CAMPAIGN
American Federation of Labor
Explains Purposes in En-
tering Politics.
LETTERS TO ALL UNION MEN
Elaborate Scheme to Pledge Legisla
tures and Congress for Initiative
and Referendum.

Washington, ID. c., April IT, The
American Federation of LABOR has
taken another step in the political
arena. 1t has issued the following
statements. which are being mailed
to the unions throughout the country,
also TO members of congress and to
other candidates for public office:
Let the inspiring watchword go
forth that we will stand by our friends
and administer a stinging rebuke to
men or parties who are either indiffer-
ent, negligent or hostile, and. wherever
opportunity affords, to secure the elec-
tion of intelligent, honest, earnest trade
unionists. with clear, unblemished,
paid-up union cards in their posses
sion"
This statement is published in pre-
face TO the bill of grievances, present
ed some days ago to the representa-
tives of the party in power. Following
| it there is published the bill of griev-
ances and the signatures and at the
close the following summarization;
! THAT as our efforts are centered
/ against all forms of Industrial slavery
and economic wrong, we must also di-
rect our utmost energies to remove all
forms of political servitude and party
slavery, to the end that the working
people may act as a unit at the polls
of every election.
THAT the American Federation of
Labor most firmly and unequivocally
favors the independent use of the bal
1t IA i-fe~ nd IL
ing men, united regardless of party,
that we may elect men from our own
ranks 10 make new laws and admin
lister them along the lines laid down in
the legislative demands of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor, and at the
same time secure an impartial judi
ciary that will not govern us by arbi-
trary injunction of the courts, nor act
as the plant tools of corporate
wealth..
Trades Union Program.
The principal features in the plan
are these:
The trades unions are not to estab-
lish a labor party, but, as announced
in the last paragraph in the above,
Will endeavor TO unite regardless of
of trades unionists The other branch
of political activity by the trades un-
ions is questioning candidates. This
is for the purpose of raising such is
sues as are believed by them to be
the most important. This program is
announced in the above by the follow
ing words: 1--WE must also direct our
utmost energies to the end that the
working people may act as a unit at
the polls at every election"
The aim is to combine with referen-
dunn leagues and organized farmers TO
question candidates for the establish
ment of a national system whereby the
voters can instruct by direct vote. The |
system is also known as the advisory |
initiative and advisory referendum. Its
establishment requires the adoption of
rules or procedure in the senate and |
house and the enactment of statute
law. An initiative petition for a legis-
lative policy, when signed by 100000 1
voters, is TO be received in the senate
and house, committee hearings had.
together with debate and a recorded
vote, whereupon the bill exactly as it
was initiated is to be referred to the
voters. accompanied by a competing
bill if congress so desires. The vot-
ers can take their choice or reject
both Preceding this vote each caldi-
date. while up for election, is to be
pledged as follows: eff elected, will
obey the will of my constituents when
by referendum vote
Such is the system proposed. To es-
tablish it in the house the candidates
are to be questioned and such as refuse
to pledge are TO be fought.
Must Begin with Legislature.
To secure a majority vote in the
senate the program is to pledge the
candidates for the legislatures. The
pledge to be, TO vote only for such SEN
atorial candidates as pledge, to vote to
instruct the hold over senators, to vote
to enact a statute whereby five per
cent of the voters of the state may
call a special election for a referen-
dunn vote on a proposition to instruct
United States senators should one or
both of them fail to obey the legisla-
lures instructions, and to vote TO enact
a statute that shall supply the ma
chinery for verifying signatures to ma
-ional politics, and the taking of ref
vote decided by congress.
The pledging of a majority in the
of half the states is the
aim of the referendum organizations.
That is the job they have before
them.