Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-25
in LABOR CIRCLES
C.

1t Is definitely known that the leaders
and thinkers of the two great political
parties are perturbed over the labor-in-
politics outlook. 1t is also known that
the attitude of the organized working
men is causing President Roosevelt. Sec
rotary Taft and others to do some clever
calculating and prospecting.
Ii can now be stated as fact that the
national and international labor unions
have entered the political arena for the
contest of 1908. This is clearly indicated
by the statement in the bill of grievances
| recently submitted to Congress through
Vice President Fairbanks and Speaker
Cannon ny Samuel Gompers and his con-
ferees. in which it is stated
Labor proposes to aid in this work by
exercising its utmost political and in
dustr1al activity. its moral and social in
nuence. in order that the interests of
the masses may be represented in Con-
gress by those who are pledged to do
justice to labor and to all our people not
10 promote the special interests of those
who would injure the whole body poIitic
by Gripping and enslaving the toilars''
AGAIN. a note of war is sounded in the
Dill or grievances when it is emphasized
that 1t is often fippantly averrad tina +
abor is d commodity. but modern ciyili-
eaton has clearly and sharply drawn the
line between "A bushel of coal a side of
pork and the soul OF human, breath
ing, living man.
An observer of events and trends i'm the
world of labor when asked as to the no.
lltlcal program of the hosts of labor in the
coming presidential and congressional
campaign said:
I'VE realize that the crucial time j., the
history of the organized workinsmen OF
the United Stetes has arrived In ia the
present time our organizations have been
neither fish. flesh nor fowl. politically. W.
have been mighty force only on paper.
Our principles have been ground between
tne Top stone and the neither stone until
the limit has been reached. If we are to
be reckoned with fairly and honestly. it is
the growing and almost frl-grown opin-
ion of our leaders that it must come
through the ballot box
I'VE have heard recited the modern
aXloms of the square deal and the big
stick. and we propose TO have a square
deal by welding the big stick next No
venber.'
The love that is fel, for John Mitchell
former president of the United Mine
Workers of America is indicated by a
special from indianapolis. 1t says:
The Incompatible tribute If tears
was paid to John Mitchell by 10oO dele
gates to the International convention of
the United Mine Workers when ne said
goodbye to them today in a farewell
address that was brief aud Pathetic
The convention had finished its rati-
ncatlon OF Mitchell'S last strategic
plan. the declaration of strikes by dis
trlctS where operators have refused to
treat with miners.
AT the lift of his hand The great
gathering arose and without accom-
paniment sang My Country 'Tis of
Thee Still standing and silent. the
delegates heard the last address of
John Mitchell IN his capacity OF pres
dent.
There was 81 hush Of several mo-
ments. Then. slowly and with deep
feeling. he spoke:
This is the closing moment of my
official relations with YOU. My work is
done, but yours must go forward
l ask you all TO lay aside diff .renceS
of all kinds and tn suhordin1,c your
opinions TO the interests of Tie whole
organize ton
AS he finished tears We're coarsinS
down his cheeks BY common impulse
the delegates. with mist in their eyes
surged toward the stage. and To-, ten
years of John Mitchell's lea Iership
ended in thousand Individual atfec-
tionate farewells.
The action of the convention was "A
ratification of the scale committees re-
port. The delegates of the western
Pennsylvania and Ohio districts inn
mediately held meetings. at which plans
We're made to strike April / and to re-
agree TO meet them in joint conference
The miners of the central PENNSYLVANIA
or Clearfield. district Will ..Ieet the
operators in Dubois tomorrow ard il is
probable that work will be continued
in that region. Indiana, Illinois and
Iowa miners are making efforts tc meet
| their employers this week.
| James +. McHugh of Washington D.
| c.. has been secretarytreasurer of the
JOurneymen Stone Cutters ASsocia ton
| of North America. and the editor of
| their official journal so long that the
| memory of man runneth not to the con-
| trary. His salary has been practically
| journeymans wages for all these years.
| Recently he asked for an increase in
| salary. and it was granted. Then came
| the financial furry and the loss to
J stone cutters of many jobs. Mr. McAugh
| has announced that he will not accept
| the increase granted until times get
| better and work is once more flourish
| Ing.
Union farmers of Florida will this
year place the union label on their cot
| ton and on the crates of fruits and
vegetables shipped to northern mar
kets. Several Thousand union farmers
in Indiana are likewise using the union
label on their products.
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