Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-11-02

antitrust law. making every member
of our organizations liable to three
fold damages, and to be fin3d by the
court in the sum of $4,000, and inn
pTisoned for one year, has endangered
the existence of the organized effort
of the workers; has placed them at
the mercy of, INSCRIPTIONS employers.
as well as the whim or fancy of fed
eral administrations Every labor or
ganization, every worker, felt the in
justice which placed in the same cate
CORY the greedy and tyrannica1 cor
porGtions and trusts with the volun-
tary, beneficial and humanizing efforts
Of the voluntary organizations of labor.
When the great conference of the
&c sponsible officers of our intarnatlon-
al unions was cid at Washington.
March. 1903, protest to congress was
drafted, unanimously agreed to, and
"epublican majority in congress. 1t
set forth the relief which the toilers
of our country demanded from such
IN intolerable situation. That confer
ance also drafted and issued an ad
iress to all the workers of our coun-
ry. Mass meetings of the toiling
masses of the United States were
held April 1920, and resolutions
adopted declaratory of their unaltera-
lie and determined purpose 10 de-
nand relief now. and pledging all to
such industrial and political action as
would secure ii.
Congress Was Deaf.
Congress turned deaf or an insult
ms ear to the toilers. The republican
convention at Chicago spurned with
lily concealed attempt any declaration
for relief. The democratic party cor
daily welcomed labor's representa-
ives, and adopted in its platform the
;pecific remedies for labor's wrongs,
md for the establishment of its rights.
The republican party's candidate
Mr.. Taft. has emphasized his position
MS injunction record as judge.
The democratic party's candidate,
Mr.. Bryan. has unflinchingly commit
ted himself to labor's contention: that
$, to guarantee the existence and
rights of organized labor. and the real
emedy for the abuse of the injunc-
ion, and in addition thereto. the de-
mands which labor makes for material
improvements.
The executive council of the Ameri
Fan Federation of Labor. fully in ac
cord with the sentiment and purpose
II the workers of our country. has
laced the conduct of the general
ampaign OF labor's political duty OF
he hour in the hands of the under
signed. and you have, been communi
'ated With from time 10 time II regard
hereto.
Conscious of tie full responsibility
esting upon us all. and with the
knowledge that the labor movement OF
7ur country must be preserved. no.
Oily in this campaign, but for all time
o come, we earnestly impress upon
I'll our fellow workers to stand true
% their union and to the cause Of hu
nanity- We recommend that arrange
tents at once be made for a general
)r special meeting to be held on Sat
friday, Oct, 81, or Sunday Nov l. an6
bat there resolutions be adopted set
ing forth the attitude and duty OF
he workers and the people of oul
country in this critical hour.
Enclosed you will find letter unde,
date of Oct. IL, addressed to the mer
Of labor and lovers of human liberty
which We ask you to carefully read
and give your deliberate and earnest
consideration.
Not Politically Partisan.
The labor movement is not politi
cally partisan. 1t is neither demo
| ratio, nor republican, nor other Ou
movement proposes to be as independ
| ent from political partisan domination
| now and in the future as it has eve,
| been.
The rights, interests and welfare o
the workers have been jeopardized anc
'"erantlv disregarGed and repudiatet
by the republican party and its candi
| late.
| The democratic party and its can
didate have made labors rights. in
terests and welfare their own conten
items Both political parties and thei
candidates have spoken.
The workers and liberty loving mel
CT our country have made and ar
making their choice as their duty ant
ccnscience dictate. 1t should be al
firmed and emphasized by resolution
and action.
| Without a word OF disparagemen
to third parties. no one pretends t
believe that it is possible for them t
win in this campaign. What tn,
working people now need is not prom
ises which are. empty and cannot b.
carried out. but successful legislatio,
| which can be secured now.
The executive council and the labo
representation committee have n
ether interests to serve but the caus
Of the workers and the cause of tn
people. No reward either of finar
cial character or political Office of an
sort can or will result to us from tn
industrial or political activities OF th
workers of cur country
FOrewarncd OF Canards.
Bear in mind and be forewarne
against any sensational canard whic
may be sprung to defeat not US, Blu