Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-23
The Address of La Dor.

The American Federation of Labor in an
address to the voters of the country. after
reciting its grievances and demands. says:
The relief asked for has not been grant
ed Congress has turned a 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 Ameri-
can people unitedly, to demonstrate their
determination that this republic of ours
shall continue to be of, for, and by the
mighty dollar. 4"
THE toilng masses of our country are
as much, If not more. interested in good
government than our fellow citizens in other
walks of life. In line with the contention
herein stated. the American Federation of
Labor made its declaration of political poll
icy as already quoted above. And in line
Herewith We hope. and have the right to
expect. to arouse the citizenship of our
common country, interested in good gov
eminent. to the apathy or hostility of the
party In power, to the real interests of the
people. so that men more honest. faithful
and progressive may be elected as the peo-
pies representatives"
This has distinctly partisan ring. The
proposition is to turn out the party in
power, and put the democracy in It's place.
A start is to be made this year on the
House, and the movement pressed two
years hence in the matter Of the presidency.
members of labor unions to interrogate can
most in labor's behalf Why interrogate
republicans If their party has been weighed
and found wanting. and the purpose is to
put II out of business?
SO far as the record of this Congress- is
concerned. the leaders of the party in power
have publicly praised it. The President
has spoken words of high compliment, and
Speaker Cannon is most hearty in his de-
liverances. Both are proud of the work of
the session. and consider the party safe in
appealing to the country on the strength
of IL.
Labor il should also be remembered, sup
ported the republican party two years ago
Mr. Roosevelts record-breaking majority
was made up in part of labor's vote. while
the republican membership of the House.
never so large before. Is based upon labor's
approval of the general policies. the tariff
policy in particular, of the party in power.
Labor now Is asked to take the other side
at the polls. Protection prevails Labor
benefits as other interests do. from the rail-
road rate bill. the pure food bill. the Pana-
ma canal organization, and from other
measures Its leading complaint is that no
anti-injunction bill was passed An eight
hour law is on the books and the President
has just ordered its rigid enforcement.
Lsbor's danger therefore is in becoming
purely democratic factor in the campaign
when its advertised purpose is non-partisan
The south, which is the seat of the demo-
cratic strength both in Congress and in the
electoral college, is beyond the influence of
labor In that section labor has no voice at
the polls, and but very small voice else
where. VIII democratic candidates in other
sections promise all that labor asks? And
on the strength of such promises will la
Dor. as organized body, vote this year
and two years hence to put the democratic
party In power on a general mandate to
repeal republican policies and enact its own?