Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-22
KIDD BOLTS GOMPERS
Typos President Objects to
Advice on Politics.
NO AUTHORITY TO DICTATE
Attempt to Corral Labor Destructive
of Union Principles.
"1MP0TENT AND IMPOSSIBLE"
Parties Not Judged by Single Plat
form-Reasonable Compromise
Source Of National Progress.

Taking issue with Samuel Gompers'
torial which will appear in the next is
sue of the Federationist. the ofhcial organ
of the American Federation OF Labor.
an abstract of which appears in The
Star today. Frank A. Kidd, president Of
Columbia Typographical Union, No. 1O1.
objects to the attempt Of Mr.. Gompers to
advise the ranks Of labor as to their po-
litical duties.
Mr.. Kidd said today:
Probably not 20 per cent Of the mem
bers of labor organizations are in favor
of adopting resolutions indorsing some
one political party or condemning some
particular national candidate for ONCE.
Indeed. unions of the skilled crafts
seldom mix in politics. but central bodies
composed OF delegates from local unions
for trade conference purposes only. often
do.
Yet central bodies are wholly without
authority either to bind the members OF
locals to any policy or to direct their
action in political matters.
Proper Procedure Reversed.
If the officers and more active delegates
in central labor bodies were not controlled
by party preference political action would
never be taken until the subject matter
had been first submitted to the local bodies
for definite instruction and direction. This
logical order of procedure, however, is
usually reversed, and local unions are in
| measure committed by the action OF
central bodies. which have no authority
whatever to speak for the locals on any
but craft subjects.
But this is not the worst feature of
political action by central labor bodies
Trades unions are inclined to temper
ate. conservative action in all things.
| This Is especially true OF the older and
more influential unions Of wide expert
ence, such as the printers. cigarmakers.
stonecutters. machinists, miners and
railroad brotherhoods
resolutions emanating from these
| unions are always elevated in tone,
honest N purpose and true to correct
principles. They never proceed upon
| the assumption that either great party
would nominate a man who is not q
patriotic American. worthy the conf.
dence of all good citizens. and II elected
| would serve the people honestly and
courageously according to the require
ments of his oath Of ONCE.
Reasonable Compromise.
Nor do these unions judge a party by a
single plank in the party platform, fol
! that platform was never written that in
its entirety was satisfactory to any con.
siderable number of men, and since the
platforms of political parties-even the
laws Of the land and the government,
under which we live and thrive-are the
result of reasonable compromise. they
cannot hope to find the expression OF
| any party wholly to their liking. but will
support the party that in the essentials OF
policy a whole seemingly comes near
est the ideals Of the membership
Trade unionists think alike on craft
questions. but differ widely on political
social and religious questions. and this
difference is universally tolerated by labor
bodies in true democratic spirit. There
| fore, any attempt to corral the politica
expression of workingmen Is destructive
| OF the basic principles of the trades union
| movement and will be impotent because
impossible"