Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-11-13
American Federation, Does Not
Contemplate Forming Dis
tinct Political Party y
WILL OFTEN SUGGEST MEASURES
Latter Will Be Of Character Advan-
taseous to Labor and to Secure
Election Of Representative and Sem
ators Favorable to Their Enactment
Executive Council Makes Report.


political activity of the American Fed
etration of Labor occupied promi-
nent place in the report Of the execu.
tive council to the twenty sixth annu-
al convention OF the federation. In ses-
sion here, which was read today by
Vice Pres. JAS Duncan. While the re-
port did not go into detail Of the re-
cent campaign for the defeat Of con-
gressional candidates, it defined clearly
the attitude of organized labor toward
politics, and gave a summary Of the
receipts and disbursements OF the cam
paign fund subscribed by the affiliated
unions of the federation. The total
sum received for campaign purposes
was $685. and expenditures $685..
The American Federation does not
contemplate the formation of dis
tinct political party, nor to dictate the
party membership Of any union man..
1t does propose, however, to suggest
from time to time legislative measures
the nomination and election Of repre-
sentatives and senator's favorable to
their enactment, and to give full pub
licity to action taken on these bills,
that all union men may know who are
their friends. Preceding this declar-
alton of its political platform the COM
mittee outlined the political declara-
tions of the American Federation OF
Labor, made since 1894. to show that
its entrance into active cam-
paigning in the late election was
not a sudden departure from
Its former policy but the logical
elimination Of long period Of evolu-
tom I'VE have never opposed politics in
| our organizations" says the report, tho
we have always opposed partisan poll
itics. Independent voting, with an eye
single to the interests Of labor, is urged
| upon all members affiliated with un-
| IONS" The report shows that progress
has been made in the movement for the
interchange Of union cards between the
unions Of America, Great Britain and
Europe, that an alliance has been
formed with the farmers educational
| alliance for mutual support; that an
effort has been made to secure gov
ernment statistics on woman and child
labor. It was recommended that Rev.
Charles Stelzle, superintendent Of the
| department Of church and labor board
Of home missions Of the Presbyterian
church in the United States, be seated
las fraternal delegate without vote.
On the question Of a dozen or more
controversies between rival organiza-
tions in similar trades, which have long
vexed the federation, the committee re-
ported no progress, but declared that
when such internal dissentions were
carried to such length as to moon
yenience employers who were disposed
to be fair to labor, the limit had been
reached.
There was a lively discussion over
the hours of business for the convon-
ton. The committee on rules recon-
mended a half holiday Saturday At
once there was storm Of protest. One
faction wished to stick to business the
entire six days, and the other stood for
a half holiday, while another and
smaller crowd favored no business on
Saturdays The report Of the commit
tee was finally adopted, after poll OF
the house, that unless business presses
the entire delegate body will have leis-
ure to witness the Minnesota-Carlisls
foot ball game. There was a mass Of
resolutions on various subjects pre-
santed. but all were referred to the
committee on resolutions without read
ing