Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-23
.LADOR'S MANIF EST0.
Trade Unions win Enter the
Field of Politics.
ACTIVITY AT BALLOT BOX
Want More Attention Paid to Recon-
mendations Of Federation.
MOVEMENT LONG PROMISED
Many Men Prominent In Public Life
Will Feel the Opposition Of
the Unions.
MOVEMENT LONG PROMISED

The executive council of the American
Federation of Labor has made good its
declaration of several months ago TO enter
the field of politics In. the interest OF the
trade union movement and to exhort all
members and friends of organized labor TO
work for the election to political office OF
men known to be favorable to labors cause.
From the headquarters of the federation
the council has issued it's campaign pro-
gram" addressed ito all organized labor
and friends In the United States" 1t sets
out that the trade union movement has
kept and proposes to keep pace with the
rapid changes In industrial affairs and that
the working people cannot hope to main
tain their rights or progressive position
in the varying phases of modern society
unless they organize land exercise all those
functions which. as workmen and citizens,
It is their privilege and their duty to ex-
ercise.'' 1t is declared that labor MAKES
mo- demand upon government or society
which is not equally accorded to Ill the
people of the country, and that 'it can
and will be satisfied with nothing less.
The proposed campaign Is based upon the
allegation that little attention has been
paid TO the enactment of laws prepared by
organized labor and presented to Congress
"for the relief of those wrongs and the
attainment of those rights to which labor
and the common people are justly entitled
and which are essentially necessary for
their welfare
A Word of Caution.
The council issues word of caution that
the movement must not degenerate into
scramble for office, but 'ft should be
determined effort, free, absolutely. from
partisanship OF every name and character,
to secure the legislation We deem Deces-
sary and essential to the welfare and hap
pIness of all our people" 1t Is expressly
stated that where congressman or state
legislator has proven himself true friend
to the rights of labor he should be sup
ported, and no candidate nominated against
him"
After citing the action of the Federation
of Labor at the Nashville convention IN
1897 favoring the independence of the ballot
by trade unionists and workmen the fed
erations declaration Is as follows:
I'VE have been ever watchful to carry
the purposes of that declaration into effect
At times we met with partial success, yet,
within the past few years claims and prom
ises made in platforms OF on the hustings
by political parties and politicians, and es-
pecially by the present dominant party,
have been neither justified nor performed.
Little attention has been paid to the en-
actment of laws prepared by us and pre-
scented to Congress for the relief of those
wrongs and the attainment of those rights
to which labor and the common people are
Justly entitled and which are essentially
necessary for their welfare.
What Presidents Have Done.
Several Presidents of the United States
have, in their messages to Congress. urged
the passage of equitable legislation In be-
half of the working people. but Congress
has been entirely preoccupied looking after
the interests of vast corporations and pred
atory wealth
Congressman and senators in their
frenzied rush after the almighty dollar
have been Indifferent or hostile to the
rights of man. They have had no time and
as little inclination TO support the reason
able labor measures. the enactment OF
which we have urged, and which contained
benehcent features for all our people with
out an obnoxious provision to any one.
~"Patience ceased TO be a virtue, and on
March 81, 1905, the representatives of labor
presented bill OF grievances to the Presi-
dent ard those responsible for legislation
or the failure of legislation in Congress, re-
citing the failure or refusal of the party
in power TO adopt or enforce legislation in
the interests of the toiling millions of our
country After setting forth labors griev-
ances and requests and urging early action
we closed that now famous document with
this statement:
But If perchance you may not heed us,
we shall appeal to the conscience and sup
port of our fellow citizens
Relief Not Granted.
The relief asked for has not been grant
ed Congress has turned a deaf ear to
the voices of the masses of our people;
and, true to our declaration, we now appeal
to the working people, aye, to all the
American people unitedly to demonstrate
their determination that this republic of
ours shall continue TO be of. for and by
the people, rather than of, for and by the
almighty dollar.
THE toiling masses OF our country are as
much. II not more. interested In good gov
eminent than our fellow citizens In other
walks OF life. In line with the contention
herein stated, the American Federation OF
Labor made Its declaration of political pol
ley as already quoted above. And In line
Herewith we hope. and have the right
u expect, to arouse the citizenship of our
common country interested In good gov
eminent, to the apathy or hostility of the
party in power to the real interests of
the people so that men more honest, faith
full and progressive may be elected as the
peoples representatives.
Attention is called not only to congress
siCral and legislative Indifference and hos
tility to the interests of labor, but also
to the interests OF the large mass of all
our people The press for months has
been burdened with exposures of the cor
ruption and graft in high circles The
great insurance companies the trusts the
corporations. the so-called captains of in
dustry, have indeed become the owners
of the legislators OF our country. Public
officials, many of whom have the cry of
stop thief nearest the tip of the tongue,
have been elected through these very
agencies and the contributions from them.
Almighty Dollar Worshiped.
'If IL has come TO condition in this
the greatest and wealthiest nation on
earth that the almighty dollar is to be
worshiped to an extent of forgetting prfn-
ciple. conscience. uprighsness and justice.
friends to raise their voices in condemna-
ton of such degeneracy, and to invite all
reform forces to join with 1t in RELOCATING
indifference TO the peoples interests, COR
ruption and graft to political oblivion; to
raise the standard of legislation by the
election OF sincere. progressive and honest
men who. while worshiping money less. will
honor conscience. justice and humanity
more.
1--WE recommend that central bodies and
local unions proceed without delay BY the