Los Angeles herald., 1906-07-18
A PURELY CLASS PARTY

= new partisan factor in American
politics will be introduced in the cam
paig1 rcw about to open. AS indicated
in the first exposition of its policy, tie
new factor will have a field of wide
scope. covering the whole ground from
| the top of national issues to the sub
stratum of municipal affairs. And the
gem al policy as marked out, will be
& ia6ical departure from all precadents
an innovation in political principles
and partisan methods.
The Labor Union party, as officially
announced by the American Federation
of Labor has taken the lead in an effort
to solidify in political movement. all
the union labor forces in the United
States. The initial step. as outlined by
! the officials of the federation, relates
only to the legislative elections, but 70
secret is made of the fact that the whole
political field is to be cultivated The
breadth of the scope of this movement
is seen right here in Los Angeles. where
plans are well advanced by the labor
unions TO run distinctive municipal
ticket in the coming election.
In considering the character of this
new element, as a more or less potent
factor in political affairs, we first note
| the feature which distinguishes it from
all other partisan elements. 1t is dis
! tinctly and avowedly a class factor. It's
| principles are solely those which trade
! unionism embrace The policies at
which it aims are confined entirely to
| the demands of the trade unionists and
/ all apparent consideration for the whole
| American people is based on the
| assumption that I'VE ere the people"
! Never before in the history of the
/ United States has an attempt been
made to build political party on the
narrow foundation of class interests.
All other parties, past and present. were
and are founded on broad general prin-
| ciples. The projection of clearly de-
fined class party into the politics Of the
present time is dangerous just in pro-
! portion to the vote it can command.
Now note the tyrannous method
whereby this labor party undertakes to
seek political control. A manifesto
issued by the Federation of Labor is
now being sent throughout the United
states to prospective legislative and
congressional candidates. Such candi-
dates are asked o respond Immediately
to such questions as these: Will you. II
] or Ill
government work? Will you pledge
yourself to oppose injunctions restrain
ing strikers from in erfering with non
union workers? etc.
The threat that goes with these de.
mands is the most hagrant attempt al
political "bulldozing" that ever has
been projected into the politics of thi.
country, Here t is: IF you or an,
other candidate refuses to come out fol
the people squarely and openly and IN
writing signed by yourself, we shall
take the steps described in our lettel
to congressional candidates A refusa
to reply during the next ten days viii
be negative to our questions, and W,
shall govern ourselves accordingly"
Can any thoughtful American, ever
though he be trade unionist fail t,
see the dangerous trend OF such effort
TO obtain political control? Instead o
the so-called government by injunc
tion" the federation offers governmen
by threat and intimidation. Promise Il
advance to do as we demand or off goe
your political headl
The American people are in no moo