New-York tribune., 1906-07-23
CALLS LABOR TO POLLS.
Il. Il. l.. ISSUES PROGRAMME
attacks Congress and Urges hide
pendent Political Action.

the American Federation OF Labor made good to-
day its decision OF several months ago the
field politics in the interest OF the union
movement and 70 exhort all members and friends
OF organized labor 70 work for the election to po
ltica Office Of known TO be favorable to labor.
From the headquarters of the federation the
ell issued to-day it's campaign programme sd-
dressed ito all organized labor and friends i'll the
United States''
This document sets forth that the trade union
movement has kept and purposes to keep pace with
the rapid changes in industrial affairs and that the
working people cannot hole 70 maintain their
rights or a progressive position in the varying
phases Of modern society they organize land
exercise all those functions which. as workmen and
citizens. it is their privilege and their duty to
ercse"
1t is declared that labor makes no demand upon
government society which is not equally accord
ed to all the people Of this country and that lit
can and will be satisfied with nothing less"
The proposed campaign is based on the allegation
that little attention has been paid to the enact
ment Of laws prepared by organized labor and pre-
sented to Congress for the relief OF these wrongs
and the attainment of those rights TO which labor
and the common people justly entitled end
which are essentially necessary for their welfare
TEXT OF THE PROGRAMME
The following is a full text of the programmes
Washington D. c. July o. 1906
To Al Organized Labor and Friends in the United
affairs Of our people have rapidly changed and
expressed by the Fedeaon of Io
mas as Kept and proposes to keep pace herewith
turned back nor should they be. even if that were
st b s welcoming a industrial Progress labor
nizing that eternal vigilance is the price of indus
:. The working people cannot hope to maintain
fner !e rights or progressive position in the vary
lie and exercise all those functions which.
WoEkmem work and citizens it is their privilege and
Labor Labor max makes no demand upon government or
society which Is not equally accorded TO all the
people Of our country. 1t can and will be satisfied
ton OF political action The working class. their
friends and sympathizers. has often been declared
put was more clearly set forth in the following
declaration, unanimously adopted by the Nashville
in 1897 and often reaflrmed since
Resolved, That the American Federation of
independent use of the ballot by the trade union
we may elect men from our own ranks to make
new laws and administer them along the lines laid
an impartial udicarv that a wis Sot eoTer9 9 @ b
arbitrary njunctions of the courts nor act as the
plant tools of corporate wealth.
against all forms of industrial slavery and eco
aomie Gg wrong we must m also direct our utmost en-
nor and party & slavery to the end that the WORKING
eisSRio eieo3on may act as unit at the polls at every
We have been. ever watchful to carry the pur-
we met with partial success yet within the last
few years claims and promises made in platforms
SaS and especa By he Presses resent donan
party have been neither justified nor performed
OF laws prepared by us and presented to Congress
Of those rights TO which labor and the common
people are Justly entitled and which are essen
Several Presidents Of the United States have. in
equitable legislation in behalf of the working peo-
pie, but Congress has been entirely preoccupied
and predatory wealth.
APPEAL, FROM CONGRESS-
sF Se a%gSPS fRS SSsf na1e @ a SseP sa asa Susa
a1se Ds sp6 70 m the Fghs IF They h1Ye @ had no
sonable labor measures the enactment of which
features for all our people without an obnoxious
Patience ceased to be virtue. and on March
q; 1906 the representatives of labor presented
sponsibe for legislation or the failure of iegisla-
ton in Congress resting the failure refusal of
in the interests Of the toihg millions Of our coun
cs y; Afder setting to:tn aooFs GRIEVANCES and re.
now famous document with this statement:
But II pei chance you may not heed us: we snail
low citizens
The relief asked for has not been granted. Con-
gTess has turned deaf ear to the voices of the
o1 m OF o our @ m fnd dT frRG TO e06 our "a
al al the american people unitedly to demonstrate
rather than Of for and by the almighty dollar.
interested in good goyerHment as our fellow ct-
ZenS In OIner walks OF 1fe II not more so. In line
with the contention herein stated the American
Federation Of Labor made its declaration of polit
, ical policy as already quoted above. And in line
Herewith hope. and have the right expect,
10 arouse the citizenship of common country,
interested in good government. 70 the apathy or
hostility Of the party in power 10 the real inter
ests of the people, that men more honest, faith
ful and progressive may be elected the peoples
representatives.
Attention is called not only to Congressional and
legislative Indifference and hostility 10 the inter
ests of labor. but also to the interests large
mass of all our people. The press for months has
been burdened with exposures of the corruption
and graft in high circles The great insurance
companies. the trusts the corporations, the so
called captains Of industry have, indeed, become
the owners of the legislators of our country. Pub
lie officials, many of whom have the CRY OF Stop
elected through these very agencies and the
tributOns from them.
If 1t has a condition in this. the greatest
and wealthieSt nation earth. that the almighty
dollar is to be Worshipped extent of forget
ting principle. conscience, uprghtnesS and justice,
raise their voices in condemnation of such degene-
racy and TO invite all reform forces 10 join with it
in reegatng Indifference to the peoples interests,
corruption and graft political oblivion raise
the standard of legislation by the election Of sin
cere, progressive and honest men who, while
shipping money less. will honor conscience. justice
and humanity more
RECOMMENDATIONS TO LABOR
We recommend that central bodies and local
unions proceed without delay by the election of
delegates 10 meet in conference, or convention to
formulate plans to further the interests Of this
movement, and in accordance with the plan herein
ner nominate candidates who win unquestonabiy
stand the enactment into law OF labor and pro-