New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-25
LABOR IN POLITICS.
4 THREAT TO CONGRESS-.
Erccutice Council of 4. T. of L.
States Position CLearlu
From The Tribune Bureau


10 Congress to-day. Resenting what the Fed.
Grafton has alleged to be the indifference Of that
body 10 its demands, 81 has decided to enter the
political field, and BY means Of the ballot en-
deavor 20 administer political punishments ars
rewards.
The executive council OF the Federation an
nounced its decision in the following statement:
We reaf1rn. as one Of the cardinal principles
n fhe trade union movement that the working
people must unite and organize. Irrespective OF
creed c9lor. sex, nationality or politics
That the American Federation or Labor most
firmly and uneQuivocally fsvors the Independent
use % the ballot by the trade unionists and
vOrllngmen, united regardless OF party that
We may elect men from our own ranks 10 make
new laws and administer them along the lines
laid down In the legislative demands Of the
American Federation Of Labor. and at the same
tine secure an impartial judiciary that viii not
govern by arbitrary injunctions Of the courts
act rs the plant tools OF corporate wealth.
That efforts are centred against all
forms Of Industrial slavery and economic wrong
We must also direct our utmost energies to re-
move al forms Of political servitude and party
slavery. 10 the end that the working people may
scl as unit az the polls at every election.
This course was foreshadowed when the labor
leaders held their conferences last Wednesday
with President Roosevelt Speaker Cannon and
the president pro tempore Of the Senate. The
distinct threat was made at that time that the
Federation, il fits demands were not needed,
would 90 into politics.
Broad analysis OF tO-day's action Of the execu-
tive council Of the Federation indicates that this
orrarizauon intends 70 take active part in the
impending Congressional election and to defeat
or elect candidates for Congress that the Fed
srsfi1r cannot or can pledge in advance TO its
bidding
Alter the meeting Of the executive council
this afternoon President Gompers said that the
decision had been reached TO instruct the officers
and members Of the Federation more effectively
70 prosecute the policy Of questioning candidates
for public Office upon questions affecting the in
rerssrs Of labor and the people generally"
lIR. GOMPERss STATEMENT.
President Gompers made this statement:
We are going 10 follow the concluding para
graph ~ the bill Of complaint (preseuted 10 the
President and 10 the COngress) and all other
said % the committees of the House and Sen
ate- they have played shutuecock and battle
on"re With our bills. They were passed by one
House only 10 be- defeated in the other. Re
ported fav0rably by one committee they failed
Co. Pass. other committees failed 10 report them
charge the Committee Of Labor Of the
House as constituted By Speaker Cannon with
wi.ifuly. knowingly and understandlngly ask
f-E the labor representatives questions that
we're incapable Of intelligent answers. Ques-
lions propounded by opponents OF the bills
urder consideration We're adopted by the com
Hi,tee bodily.
The last part Of the bill Of complaint laid be-
fore Congress was as follows:
labor brings these, its grievances. to your at
tenuon because you are the representatives re-
Ep0ns for legislation and for failure OF legis-
lsuon. The toilers come to YOU as your fellow
citizens. who by reason of their position in life
have not only with all other citizens an equal
interest in our country. but the further interest
n being the burden bearers, the wage earners
~ America As labor representatives we ask
you 20 redress these grievances for it rs in your
power 70 do So Labor now appeals to you, and
We trust that II may not be in vain.
b1t r. perchance. you may not heed US we
Snall appeal 10 the conscience and the support
O. our fellow citizens
The open threat which was made in that bill
n complaint against Congress was met at the
Tine rv Speaker Cannon. Mr.. Gonpers had
complained that the policy Of the committees
Of Congress has been to ignore and to be hostile
10 labor Speaker Cannon said:
7 do not accept that as Just criticism, for
fhe romlittees Of the House OF Repregepte
lF1S lr my Judgment, the Committee on
t-a1.r .s not justly criticised by your memorial
u IS committee, as far as I could make IL OF
e.e. .lhscienuous men. whose feet are IN the
But II this great Federation expects that it is
L.e - organize any OF all OF the committees
II l." house about all matters OF legislation
H+3 are expecting the impossible.
,,r 1'l - are not The whole. shooting match. but
t.- are p good share of 81. . . / can SYM
la'l.zr Tith your desires for better conditions
.+..-- legislation. better administration. yet II
rs vel for 10 recOlect that il is the law ~ the
4-l.a. family that governs US all. To attain
-Af ends which are nearest 10 our desires In The
,as' analysis. comes the administration and leg
,t-'-.. which vii bring the greatest good 10
me greatest number.
LABOR'S DEMANDS LARGE
Tho action Of the executive council Of the Fed
Grafton was the rejoind.r 20 Speaker Cannon's
reply The labor leaders point out that in the
-asi election the questioning Of candidates for
public Office was resorted TO al the behest Of
-1'o. 0rsatizations. and declare that several
.an2'-ates FOR public office We're defeated as
.ss-' y tHeir failure 20 come Up TO the standard
imposed bE the labor organizations.
The scope of the legislation on which the Fed
'Esli.H may take issue with candidates for Con
s'ess was outlined in the "bm Of complaint
presented last Wednesday Briefly stated. the
principal features Of legislation demanded by
me Federation were as follows:
Fo,,l Is--iore efficient enforcement Of the eight
-o4t principles.
2eeoac-FUrther restriction OF immigration.
,..-'- -->o relaxation OF the Chinese exclusion
toarth-Further elaboration Of the shipping
y. eIe protection for seamea.
gun No anu-pilotage laws.
'1.i-i reorganization OF The Congress COM
on -aDor Ia conformity with the de-
e-.-N ~ the Federation.
~ ssL saies harding against competition
E'gH'h-A more radical anu-iujunction bill
TIE complaint addressed 10 Speaker Cannon
s'.'4 mainly against the Committee on Labor.
~. me legislation demanded by AIr Gompers
'-- ''s 'Tganization is divided among the Com
..''.ee oa Labor the Committee on Immigra-
-'H the Committee on Foreign Affairs. the
-'lAallttee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce
~-a lhe Committee on Merchant Marine and
-SNeFies. Mr.. G0mpers's innuendo would con
fey that all those fr1norfarr committees ~ the