The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-03-25

LABOR TAKES 4 LEAF
FROM BRITISH BOOK
Threat Of Political Activity Fol-
lows Great Labor Movement
in England.
BY w. w. Jermane.

BY w. w. Jermane.
Washington, March 24.-The plan of
the American Federation of Labor to
60 into politics in an effort to secure
what it thinks it should have in the
enactment and enforcement of law, is
believed here to be the direct result
of what has recently taken place in
Great Britain. Never before in the
history OF parliament has the labor
vote of the house Of commons been so
great as now, and by the same token
never before have the demands of labor
in England been given so careful at
tention as they are now about to re-
ceive. The labor votes in the COM
mons of England may, with pretty
evenly divided chamber, hold the bal
ance of power on important occasions,
and no matter what else may happen,
the presence in that body of solid
block Of laborites, with the threat that
their number may be increased at the
next election, will make the politicians
more wary and more inclined to give
labor the attention it demands. .,
Possibilities at Polls.
IF, at the election in this country
next November, organized labor were
to send from the great cities of the
country, where it's strength lies, dozen
or more members the house of rep
resentatives, such result would be re-
garded as highly significant. The dem
ocratic party, altho not in power,
would be equally interested with the
republican party, for labor congress
men would be elected, in the main, by
votes heretofore reliably democratic.
Since organized labor has special pre-
tensions. claims special privileges, and
differentiates itself sharply from the
great mass of unlabeled citizens, why,
it is being asked in this city, should it
not try it's hand at politics9
A really responsible separate labor
party in this country, for the present,
however, seems unlikely. 1t took years
Of agitation to bring a distinct labor
party into being in England, and
whether that party is to survive is still
question.
Years Of Agitation.
In the United States such a party
could not be organized without some
years Of preliminary agitation. Men
leave their political parties almost as
unwillingly as they do their churches.
Political preiudices are in. many in
stances Unborn, just as religious preju-
dices. and are as difficult to be shaken
off. But time Wild the work, if the
agitation is directed with vigor and in
telligence, as has been the case in Eng
land.
It would be quite out Of the question
for any labor movement seriously to
affect the campaign now about to begin.
But handful of labor congressman
next fall, from New York, Boston and
Chicago, would scare all the presidential
aspirants in both parties out of a
years growth, and cause the party
managers to sit up and take notice
Two million votes in 1908 might easily
be the BALANCE of power and decide the
presidential election. The potential,
feature at present. ~ .-.... . Co.,.
aompers' Purpose.
Undoubtedly this preliminary talk
about labor politics is intended by
President Gompers, of the American
Federation, to be taken in a tentative
way. He means if possible to frighfen
congress and the president into more
aggressive friendliness for the labor
cause, and, so far as congress is con.
cerned, it looks as if he would gain
his point. But failing to get this de.
sired legislation, he says the labor party
will become fact.
1t might not be a bad idea. Labor
leaders, as rule, are the most radical
people, in positions Of influence, that
the country possesses. These leaders
could hardly fail to be sobered. en-
larged in view and made more mindful
of the rights of others, by the response
bility of separate political action anG
the necessity that would ensue Of avoid
ing violent and factional policies.
> Dread and Danger.
The philosophy of the situation, il
Will illus Ue Seeu, Is uOI Without III
comforts and consultations. But to tn,
practical politician in congress, NOR
especially in the lower house, tn,
thought of labor politics, such as MI
Gompers calls attention to, is fraugh
with all manner of dread and danger
This individual is scared within an incl
| of his life, and he wants the house labo
committee to get busy and report som
labor bills.
1t is not necessary to say that tina
committee, which has been in mort
bund condition since the session begal
this being it's chronic state from yea
to year-has suddenly shown signs o
active life. It should not surprise tn
country if, from this time to adjourn
ment, the committee should do stunt
that would put the work of the profes
sional contortionist and horizontal ba
expert to shame
Labor StronghoIds.
Organized labor would expect to b
the strongest in the doubtful states
such as Indiana, where it would hop
to- hold the balance of power, also i