The Washington times., 1906-03-25
Organized Labor in Politics.

Since President Gompers presented
the bill of complaint of the American
Federation of Labor to the President
of the United States, the President
pro tempore of the Senate and the
Speaker of the House OF Representa-
tives, wise men have been shaking
their heads and declaring with bated
breath:
Organized labor is going into poll
ties"
Is this new proposal? For many
years We have heard of the labor
vote" in political campaigns. Party
platforms invariably contain a plank
10 -catch" that vote Stump speakers
beg for it. Willy politicians trade
to get it. No, the labor vote is not
new factor in politics. The inter
esting point about the present atti-
tude of the national leaders of labor
is the plan of campaign which they
would adopt Said Secretary Morri-
son:
THE psychological moment has ar
rived for organized labor to arise and
assert itself in the political councils
of the nation. If the just and equi-
table requests made by labor for
legislation are disregarded, it is in
cumbent upon labor to remove from
legislative halls obstructive ele-
ments."
This announcement is well calculat-
ed TO bring cold chills TO the Con-
gresham from the close or doubtful
district. AS if the insurance scan
dals, with the question of campaign
contributions, and the probable lack
of funds to run campaign were not
enough for Republican Representa-
tive with a fight on his hands, now
comes organized labor to add to his
troubles. Certainly these labor lead
ers have chosen the psychological
moment 10 declare their purpose.
IL organized labor is going into
politics more actively than ever be-
fore. the course outlined by Secretary
Morrison is the wise one to follow.
The policy will be, as announced, to
defeat Representatives who have gen
orally opposed legislation favorable
10 labOring interests, rather than TO
attempt to elect candidates who are
pledged 10 labor's cause. No attempt
is to be made TO construct a political
party.
There are those who will say. how
ever, that the policy proposed is but
the entering wedge; that, given sue
cess, national labor party will in
eyitably result. Such alarmiSts will
argue that labor leaders in this coun-
try are dazzled by the spectacle of
John Burns. the London labor lead
er, member of the British cabinet
and of Mr.. Watson. the labor federal
premier of Australia. Conditions in
America and in Australia are widely
different. According to the president
of the largest farmers society in the
British dependency:
The labor party is the true demo-
cratic party of Australia, and gives
II its true democratic legislation.
But the trades-union leaders must
broaden the labor platform and take
in their country friends"
Therein is commentary on the sit
uation in America. The labor party.
even in Australia, is a minority party.
and 10 survive il must amalgamate
with the farming element. Here. to
insure any national success, such an
amalgamation would be absolutely
necessary. The American Federation
of Labor does not comprise one-tenth
of the voting population of this coun-
try. If other labor organizations
could be got to join the movement.
this voting strength would be aug
mented to some degree. But organiz-
ed labor could not assume a com
manding position in politics unless
IL were TO strike common ground with
the farmer.
Otherwise, a distinct labor party
could be nothing more than a protest.
Such a party might hope to hold, at
times, the balance of power in Con-
gress. But the rise and fall of the
Populist party demonstrated the fleet
Ing character of a movement made up
of men with a grievance.