The Glenwood post., 1906-07-28
ENTERS POLITICS
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF La
Dor PROGRAM.
APPEALS TO LABOR UNIONS
Urges Political Action to Secure and
Enforce Laws in Behalf of Labor
Must Not Indulge in Scramble for
Office

OTTlCe.
Washington.-The executive coun-
Gil OF the American Federation of La.
Dor has made good its declaration of
several months ago to enter the field
of politics in the interest of the trades
union movement and to urge all
friends. of organized labor to elect to
political offices men known to be fav-
orable to labor's cause.
Following is, in part, the text of
the program:
Washington, D. c., July %, 1906
the United States:
Dear Sirs and Brothers: Events in
the industrial affairs of our people
have been rapidly changed and are rap.
ment, as expressed by the American
Federation of Labor, has kept, and pro-
| poses to keep, pace Herewith.
THE wheels of industry cannot be
halted or turned back, nor should they
be, even if that We're possible. Wei
coming industrial progress, labor must
be ever alert to meet new conditions,
recognizing that eternal vigilance is
| the price of industrial as well as po-
| litical liberty.
1.-The working people cannot hope to
maintain their rights or a progressive
| position in the varying phases of mod
tha,r nrpaDiza and
exercise all those functions which, as
workmen and citizens, it is their priv
| ilege and their duty to exercise.
Labor makes no demand upon gov
ernment or society which is not
| equally accorded to all the people of
| our country. 1t can and will be salts
! fed with nothing less.
| THE position of organized labor
upon the question of political action by
| the working class, their friends and
| sympathizers, has often been declared,
| but was more clearly set forth
| in the following declaration unanl-
vention of the American Federation OF
| Labor. in 1897, and often reatlirmed
| since:
"'Resolved, That the American Fed
| Grafton of Labor most firmly and I'M
| eauivocally favors the independent
| use of the ballot by the trade unionists
| and workmen, united regardless o.
| party, that we may elect men from
| our own ranks, to make new laws ana
| administer them along the lines laid
down in the legislative demands OF
| the American Federation of Labor, and
| at the same time secure an impartial
| judiciary that will not govern us by
;,;, Of the
nor act as the plant tools of cor
| porate wealth.
| Resolved, That as our efforts are
| centered against all forms of indus
| trial slavery and econmic wrong, we
must also direct our utmost energies
| to remove all forms Of political servi-
| tude and party slavery to the end that
| the working people may act as unit
| at the polls at every election.
1--WE have been ever watchful to
| carry the purposes of that declaration
! into effect. At times we met with par
tial success, yet within the past few
years claims and promises made in
| platforms or on the hastings by po-
| litical parties and politicians, and es-
| pecially by the present dominant
party, have been neither justified nor
| performed.
1.-THE relief asked for has not been
granted Congress has turned 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 unit
| eddy, to demonstrate their determine
| ton that this republic of ours shall
| continue to be of, for and by the peo-
| pie rather than of. for and by the al
| mighty dollar
I'VE recommend that central bodies
| and local unions proceed without de-
| lay by the election of delegates to
| meet in conference or convention to
| formulate plans to further the inter-
ests of this movement, and in accord
ance with the plan herein outlined, at
| manner nominate candidates who will
| the proper time and in the proper
unquestionably stand for the enact
| ment into law of labor and progressive
| measures.
1.-The first concern of all should be
the positive defeat of those who have
| been hostile or Indifferent to the just
| demands of labor. A singing rebuke
to them will benefit not only the toll
ers but the people of the entire coun.
try.
Where a congressman or a state
| legislator has proven himself true
| friend to the rights of labor he should
be supported and no candidate nomi.
mated against him.
This movement must not degener-
| ate into a scramble for office. 1t should
be determined effort, free, absolutely
| from craftsmanship of every name and
| character, to secure the legislation we
| deem necessary and essential to the
welfare and happiness of all our people.
| AS the present objects of this move
ment are purely in the line of legisla-
ton, all efforts should be concentrated
upon the election of members of Con-
gress and the various State Legisla.
lures.
"In the last British elections fifty
four trade unionists were elected to
pa Rim mont IL tho lriticl,