The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-04-14
LABOR TAKES. A LEAF
FROM BRITISH BOOK
Threat of Political Activity
Follows Great Labor Move
ment in England.
BY w. w. Germane.

ment III Guglauu.
BY w. w. Germane.
Washington, April 12.-The plan OF
the American Federation Of Labor to
go into politics in an effort to secure
what it thinks 1t should have, in the
enactment and enforcement of law, is
believed here to be the direct result of
what has recently taken place in Great
Britain. Never before in the history
Of parliament has the labor vote Of the
house of commons been so great as
now, and by the same token, never
before have the demands Of labor in
England been given so careful atten-
ton as they are now about to receive.
The labor votes in the commons of
England may, with a pretty evenly
divided chamber, hold the balance Of
power ON important occasions, and no
matter what else may happen. the
presence in that body OF a silod block
of laborites with the threat that their
number may be Increased at the next
election will make the politicians more
wary and more inclined to give labor
the atIeuClOn IL OeInauQS.
Possibilities at Polls.
If, at the election Of this country
next November, organized labor were
to send from the great cities of the
country, where its strength lies, doz-
en- or more members to the house Of
representatives, such result would be
regarded as highly significant. The
Democratic party, although not In pow
er, would be equally interested with
the Republican party, for labor con-
gressmen would be elected. in the main,
by votes heretofore reliably Demo-
cratic.
Since organized labor has special
pretensions, claims special privileges
and differentiates itself sharply from
the great mass of unlabeled citizens,
why, it is being asked in this city,
should it not try it's hand at politics?
A really RESPONSIBLE separate labor
party in this country for the present,
however, seems unlikely. It took years
| Of agitation to bring a distinct labor
party into being in England, and
whether that party is to survive is
still a question.
Years Of Agitation.
In the United States such a party
could not be organized without some
years Of preliminary agitation. Men
leave their political parties almost as
unwill1ngly as they do their churches.
Political prejudices are in many in
stances born just as religious preju-
dices,s and are as d iffcult 7to he shaA-
en- off. But time will do the work, II
the agitation is directed with vigor and
| intelligence, as has been the case in
England.
1t would be quite out of the ques-
tion for any labor movement seriously
to affect the campaign now about to
begin. But a handful of labor con-.
gressmen next fall, from New York,
Boston and Chicago, would scare all
the presidential aspirants in both
parties out of a years growth, and
cause the party managers to sit up
and take notice. Two million votes in
1908 might easily be the balance Of
power to decide the presidential elec-
ton. The potentialties of the situation
are the alarming feature at present
Gompers Purpose.
Undoubtedly this preliminary talk
about labor politics is intended by
President Gompers Of the American
Federation to- be taken in a tentative
way. He means if possible to frighten
| congress and the president into more
aggressive friendliness for the labor
| cause, and, SO far as congress is con-
| cerned, 1t looks as if he would gain his
point. But failing to get this desired
legislation, he says the labor party
will become a fact.
| It might not be a bad idea. Labor
! leaders, as rule are the most radical
people, in position of influence, that
| the country possess. These leaders
| could hardly fail to be sobered, en-
larged in view and made more mindful
! Of the rights of others by the respon-
! sibility of separate political action and
the necessity that would ensue of
avoiding violent and factional policies.
Dread and Danger.
The philosophy of the situation, it
| will thus be seen, is not without it's
! comforts and consolation Put to the
practical politician in congress, more
especially in the lower house, the
thought of labor politics, such as Mr.,
Gompers calls attention to, is fraught
| with all manner Of dread and danger.
Ills OANAV 1uud1 Is SCdI GU WlLI1lU Ill lINu
of his life. and he wants the house la
Dor committee to get busy and report
some labor bills.
1t is not necessary to say that that
committee, which has been a mori-
bund condition since the session began
this being its chronic state from year
to year-has suddenly shown signs of
active life. It should not surprise the
| country if, from this time tosadjourn-
! ment, the committee should do stunts
that would put the work of the pro-
fessional contortionist and horizontal
bar expert to shame.
Labor Strongholds.
Organized labor would expect to be
the strongest in the doubtful states,
such as Indiana, where it would hope
to hold the balance Of power, also in
such state as California and Colorado,
where labor is strongly entrenched,
and in states having great cities, not
ably Massachusetts, New York, Penn
sylvania, Illinois, Ohio and Missouri
It would also expect to poll a heavy
x,o+o IL, Nohra cha Kansas opd M;pn,