The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-06-29
GOMPERS ON
THE R. !. LABOR
SITUATION
The following letter. which is self-ex-

The following letter. which is self-ex-
planatory. has been received:
Washington, ID. c., June l3. 1907.
Mr. Joseph Brickell. Secretary Central
Trades and Labor Union, West avenue.
Pawtucket II. l.:
Dear Sir and Brother--In a letter recent
ly received from the Rhode Island Fed
Grafton OF Labor attention is called to the
fact that your Central Trades and Labor
union has Withdrawn from representation
In the state Federation OF Labor. Your
attention is called to section ?, Article
XII of the constitution of the A. +. OF l..
which provides THAT II shall be the duty
OF all national and international unions
affiliated with the American Federation
OF Labor TO instruct their local unions TO
join chartered central labor bodies and
state federations in their vicinity where
such exist"
The American Federation OF Labor, the
highest court in the organized labor
movement OF the country, has recognized
the necessity for and the helpfulness OF
state federations of labor. and IL is a we'll
defined principle and declaration OF labor
that local unions and central bodies
should be represented in state federatious
OF labor wherever such bodies are In ex-
istence. In the work OF the organization
Of labor, the wisest, most energetic and
devoted OF us when working individually
can not hope TO be successful. but by COM
binig our efforts the probabilities of sue
cess are thereby just that much increas-
ed. This is the recognized working prin-
ciple in the organization OF the wage
earners into unions of their respective
trades and the uniting OF these locals into
international unions.
This principle is equally applicable in
the case OF state federations of labor.
which are composed OF the various urions
located in the respective states and are
formed particularly to further labor leg
islation in the state legislatures. To sec
that the laws in the interests of labor
are enforced. and to call the attention of
the workingmen and citizens To those leg
islato and officers who have been un-
friendly or antagonistic TO the Interests
OF the working people.
The combined action OF all the local
trades unions OF state and the city CEN
tral bodies, when exerted in favor OF a
particular measure or in the interest OF
helping a particular organization is GER
tainly more efficacious than the action
of any one union, no matter how power
full IL may be.
Therefore. apart from 1t being the clear
ly defined duty of all local unions and
city central bodies to become identified
with the state federation of labor. IL logi-
cally follows that self-interest and self
protection should be powerful motives In
influencing them into giving their loyal
support and cooperation. thereby receiv-
ing return a full measure OF help in
time of need
Taken in connection with the work
which is now being done by the Ameri-
can Federation OF Labor In a legislative
way, / desire To most earnestly urge that
your organization should Immediately be-
come part OF the state federation of la
Dor and give TO that body your cordial
support and cooperation.
Trusting that I may hear from you in
regard to the above at your early con-
venience, and with best wishes, / am,
Fraternally yours,
SAM GOMPERS.
President American Federation OF Labor.