The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1906-08-03

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 office men known to be
favorable to labor's cause. At the
headquarters of the federation the
council today issued it's campaign pro-
grant," addressed to all organized la
! Dor and friends in the United States"
: 1t sets out that the trades union
movement has kept and proposes to
keep pace with the rapid change in in
dustrial affairs, and that the working
people cannot hope to maintain their
rights or a progressive position in the
varying phases of modern society I'M
those functions, which, as workmen
and citizens, it is their privilege and
their duty to exercise.
1t is declared that labor makes no
demand on government and society
which is not equally accorded to all
the people of this country, and that it
can and will be satisfied with nothing
less.
The proposed campaign is based
upon the allegation that little attention
has been paid to the enactment of laws
prepared by organized labor and pre-
scented to congress, for the relief OF
these wrongs and the attainment of
these rights to which labor and the
common people are justly entitled and
which are essentially necessary for
their welfare.
The council issues a word of caution
that the movement must not degen-
crate into a scramble for Office, but it
should be a determined effort, free alb
solutely from all partisanship of every
name and character to secure the leg
islation we deem necessary and essen
tial to the welfare and happiness of
all our people,
1t is expressly stated that where a
congressman or state legislator has
proved himself true friend to the
rights of labor he should be supported
and no candidate nominated against
him.
The following is a text of the pro-
gram:
Campaign Program Outlined.
ITO All Organized Labor and
Friends in the United States-Dear Sirs
and Brothers: Events in the industrial
affairs of our people have rapidly
changed and are rapidly changing.
The trade union movement. as ex-
pressed by the American Federation
of Labor, has kept and proposes to
keep pace Herewith.
The wheels of industry cannot be
halted or turned back, nor should
they be, even If that were possible.
Welcoming industrial progress, labor
must be ever alert to meet new condi-
lions, recognizing that eternal vigil
lance is the price of industrial as well
as political liberty.
The working people cannot hope to
maintain their rights or a progressive
position in the varying phases of mod
ern society unless they organize and
exercise all those functions which, as
workmen and citizens, it is their privi-
lege and their duty to exercise.
Labor makes no demand upon gov
eminent or society which is not
equally accorded to all the people of
our country. 1t can and will be salts
fed with nothing else.
Congress No Friend of Labor.
Several presidents of the United
States have in their messages to con-
gress, urged the passage of equitable
legislation in behalf of the working
people, but congress has been entirely
preoccupied looking after the interests
of vast corporations and predatory
wealth.
Congressman and senators in their
frenzied rush after the almighty dollar
have been Indifferent or hostile to the
rights of man. They have had no time
and as little inclination to support the
reasonable labor measures, the enact
ment OF which we have urged, and
which contained beneficent features
for all our people without an obnoX-
ious provision to anyone.
Patience ceased to be a virtue, and
on March 81, 1906, the representatives
of labor presented bill of grievances
to the president and those responsible
for legislation or failure of legislation
in congress, reciting the failure or re-
fusal of the party in power to adopt or
enforce legislation in the interests OF
the toiling millions of our country. AT
ter setting forth labor's grievances and
requests and urging early action, we
closed that now famous document with
this statement: