The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-04-21
ORGANIZED [AB0R'S
POLITICAL PROGRAM
George H. SHIRLEY Comments
On the Proposed Action Of
the A. F. of L. In Politics.
independent and bipartisan
Political Action Is Plan of
Labor Leaders,
Especial to the Labor Worldly

Especial to the Labor Worldly
Washington, D. c., April 19.-~The
political program of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor is much broader and
will be more effective than is generally
! believed"
This is the statement of the Presi-
dent Of the Peoples Sovereignty
League Of America, Mr.. George H.
SHIRLEY Of this city. Mr.. SHIRLEY is
sociologist of independent fortune, who
established some years ago the Bur-
eau of Economic Research and CO.
operating with organized labor and
organized farmers in questioning can
didates for the Initiative and referen-
dunn.
1.-The Trade Union political program
in America" continued Mr.. SHIRLEY, lis
outlined in the four-llne announce
ment to the press by the Executive
Council Of the American Federation
of Labor on March %, and is as fol-
lows:
1.-The American Federation Of La
boris policy Of interrogating candidates
for public office upon questions af-
fecting the interests of labor and of
the people generally will be continued
and more aggressively prosecuted"
This brief statement, Mr.. SHIRLEY de-
clares, contains three prominent feat
ures besides one that is implied, name
ly, that all candidates are to be ques-
toned; that a. more vigorous cam
paign is to be conducted; that the in
terests of the people in general are to
be worked for; and that all who are
opposed to machine rule and private
monopoly are invited to join in Ques-
tiOning candidates..
Further comment by Mr.. SHIRLEY is
as follows:
w,realize that the declaration for
the people generally means campaign
for the immediate establishment Of a
system whereby the voters in general
may instruct by referendum vote. The
system is the Advisory Initiative and
Advisory Referendum, and can be in
stalled by mere majority vote in the
national house and senate, and forced
! action by the United States senator's
| can be secured through instructions.
AS quickly as the peoples rights to a
direct vote is assured at the polls, then
initiative petitions incorporating the
more pressing measures, including con-
stitutional amendments, are to be cir
culated for the required number of
| SIGNATURES and filed at the opening of
| Congress- In the several legislatures,
| too, the advisory initiative and advis-
DRY referendum can be installed at
| once.
This is the program, not only of
the American Federation Of Labor, as
announced two years ago in it's ques-
lions to candidates, but there is COM
mitted the Pennsylvania Oranges, the
Peoples Sovereignty League Of Amer
lea, the National Direct Legislation
League, and other organizations. In
the campaign Of two years ago, there
were pledged twelve Of the sixteen
congressman in Missouri. five Of the
ten representatives from Chicago, and
few others. And more questioning
by the Peoples Sovereignty League re.
suited in one hundred forty-three
pledges by congressional candidates.
1.-THE great strategic feature of this
program is that it Is for the immediate
establishment of the peoples sover-
eighty in place Of machine rule, and
in nation, state and city; to be accom-
plished In this years campaign
through the systematic questioning OF
all candidates. X. Candidates, when
I forced to 90 on record pledge, almost
invariably for the peoples cause. Ever,
non-partisan organizaztion that Is OPP
liposed to special privilege ~ expected