The San Francisco call., 1906-12-28

rs % NAS Noth OF the convention IN +
this regard, Richard Cornelius. presi- 4
dent Of Carmens Union No. 2o5. said.
The coming convention Of the State
federation OF Labor viii have before it
q great many important questions to
solve. 1 believe that one of the most
important will be the course to be
pursued to secure favorable legrisla
ton for the wage-earners. The old
bugaboo Of no politics in the unions
has ceased TO have any terrors for the
average union man and is now mostly
used by men who are paid by the en-
ployers. There are, of course some
union men who honestly believe that
the workers should keep out Of poll
tics. but their number grows less and
less as time goes on.
The convention will unquestionably
decide to go into politics either on the
plans suggested by the American Fed
Grafton OF Labor or on other lines that
may be suggested. Tt is absolutely
necessary that the workers shall be
united at the ballot box in order TO
obtain a larger share of the wealth
created by them We are living in an
age Of commercialism and the Govern
ment is now dominated by the large
commercial interests Of the country.
Every effort of the wage-earner to Sc
cure favorable laws in his behalf so
far has been defeated by the allied
Congress and to the State Legislatures
TO request and petition year after year
in vain. But ii is no wonder that we
have met with defeat, for we have been
unorganized on the political field and
the practical politicians of both the
old parties have known it.
Therefore organized labor will send
men from its own ranks to make laws
in behalf of the workers. If they need
any assurance that that is the best
thing for them to do the anxiety Of the
Citizens Alliance as expressed by
Parry and Post over the awful conse-
a gences that viii come to organized
uroof possible that we are on the right
road. Whatever the Citizens Alliance
doesn't want us TO do. we should make
haste TO accomplish.
I contend that organization in the
industrial field is the foundation upon
which all other means of progress for
the wage Garner must be built. There
fore nothing should be attempted un-
less the worker is fully convinced Of
the necessity Of the proposed line of
action Experience has shown us that
no matter how strongly we may be
organized along industrial lines, If we
allow the political powers of the State
to remain in the hands of our employ
ers alone we are always at a disad-
compensation we should receive for our
labor.
Political action on the part of the
workers should be directed TO main
tain and strengthen their position in
the Industrial field. The central coun-
cils of organized labor should domi-
nate and say what the political policy
should be. The best men in the ranks
Of organized labor should be put in
positions Of trust so that they can
assist their constituents at all times.
In my opinion the State Federation
of Labor should put in motion ma
chinery by which organized labor can
more perfectly control and advance the
interests of the wage-earners indus
trially. politically and socially. 1 be-
1ieve that the world belongs to those
who produce wealth and that they
q lone should have the final say as TO
the conditions under which the wealth
is produced"
Waters Union No 30 met at its
headquarters. 1875 Scott street, on
Wednesday evening. The local ex-
pended s340 on the Christmas dinner
Animated discussions over the merits
OF the candidates before the union for
election were held at headquarters yes
terday- The ballot contains eighty
seven names and il will probably be
Saturday before the votes are counted
Each member OF the election board
will receive $50 for his services. H E
Harris having resigned from the cleo
ton board, Frank S. Pitman was elects
ed TO I'll the vacancy. During the
progress Of the voting no electioneer-
ing was allowed inside headquarters
Retail Shoe Clerks Union No 40
will not meet until January Z, when
Installation Of officers VIII take place.
First Vice President Max z. LIGHT
visited Oakland last evening to assist
IN perfecting the organization of
retail shoe clerks union The Oakland
union VIII have a charter membership
Of seventy-five. There will then be
two retail shoe clerks unions In that
city
There will be a special meeting Of the
Allied Provision Trades Council to-
morrow night at 1884 Ellis street. Mat
ters Of great Importance to the affili-
ated unions will be discussed and all
delegates should be in their seats
promptly.
MIX Wagon Drivers Union No. 22s
met wednesday night at All Haight
street with NJ F. Shannon in the
chair. Nominations for officers were
closed with the following result: For
president and business agent M. +.
Shannon, Frank Fisher and j. j. Rusk;
for vice president, L. F. Owens and VIII
liam Wohn; for secretary-treasurer ana
business agent, NJ E. Decker; record
ing secretary. Joseph O'Day and VIII
liam Van volkenborg; for trustee lvote
for one). Frank ]. McGovern, William
Tibbals and Harry d. Smith. The cleo
tion will be held next Wednesday
evening at o'clock at Symposium Hail.
Twenty-second and Mission streets
The monthly meeting Of Typography
cal Union No 21 viii be held next sun
dav in Labor Council Temple Mem
hers are requested to be present as
important matters will be up for dis
sussion.
Earbers' Union No. 1zS is opposed to
sunday work In fact the inter
natfonal aims TO close all shops on that
dav as soon as practicable There IS
petition now being circulated in the
civ to have all places Of business open
an sunday and IL Is understood that
some members Of the BARRIERS Union
have signed IT. The executive ooaro
foolx the matter at It's