The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-06
CITIZENS ASSN
TO FIGHT UNIONS
At THE POLLS

New York, Aug s-The challenge issued
nouncement from Washington that the
American Federation OF Labor is to be-
come an organized political party and 10
take an active part in the coming ma
tional campaign. and In his appeal for
100000 fund for the deefat OF blacklisted
congressman. has been promptly accepted
In statement made public here yester-
day by the Citizens Industrial associa-
tion, the organization which Is conduct
ing the fight for the open shop
The Citizens association is equipped
with a national organization, and has af-
hliated bodies In practically every con-
gressionsl district II proposes 10 Join
Issue with the laborites all along the line
Wherever the labor unions make a fight
against reelection OF congressman,
as Mr.. Gompers has announced that they
will do in the case OF Speaker Cannon,
Congressman Littleheld of Maine. Nc
Call OF Massa chusetts. Jenkins II wiscon-
sin. Bartholdt OF Missouri. and a number
OF other leaders who have declined TO
support the measures advocated by the
unions. the Citizens association will take
part in the fight
The statement issued by the association
yesterday through its president. G. w.
Post, is addressed ito the Is, 200 900 citizens
rot members of the labor unions" and
says that the labor union movement in
selected TO represent the Interests OF the
common people, but opposed TO the selfish
interests OF the Labor Trust"
MANY statements in the proclamation
OF the American Federation OF Labor are
misleading said Mr.. Post. For in
stance. IL declares that labor makes no
demand upon government or society
Ill T.
people OF our country The facts are
that organized labor demands not only
OF government but OF all Industrial en-
terprise that no labor be purchased ex-
eept OF the labor unions, an organized
trust for the sale Jof labor.
1T further demands that no man or
woman be allowed TO work or sell their
labor except by Joining the trust, paying
fees 10 its officers and working only un-
der the dictates OF that trust.
While Mr.. Gompers announces that
the wheels OF industry cannot be halted
nor turned back. nor should they be even
II II were possible IL is a fact that at the
time this statement OF the Federation of
Labor was published the unions were ac-
lively engaged In stopping the rebuild
ing OF San Francisco and 'haltng the
wheels of industry in America. by strikes.
threats, assaults and violence. including
the dynamite OF property.
I'VE have notified the Citizens associa-
tions In various communities OF the pro-
posal OF the labor trust 10 dominate the
coming elections. and we call upon all
citizens. both In and out OF the labor
union 10 nominate and elect only such
men as will faithfully serve the common
people and who will oppose all trust
legislation when such will be in the in
terests of organizations and opposed 10
the welfare Of the people.
1--WE particularly invite attention 20 the
attack on the congressman who refused
10 assist in passing the infamous meas
ure OF anarchy the anti-injunction bill.
bill proposed by the labor unions 10
tie the hands OF the courts and thus per-
NIT property 10 be destroyed and men as
saulted before the courts can act"