New-York tribune., 1908-03-22
LABOR In POLITICS.
IN ADDRESS ISSUED.
Workers Urged to Erert Pressure
on Congress and Candidates.

Washington, March 21-"While the Supreme
Court other institutions may be able tenn
porary to retard and seriously embarrass the
growth and action of our government we boldly
assert that no power on earth can destroy. sue
cessfuly outlaw disrupt the trade union
movement"
These words form the key to an address issued
tonight to organized la Dor and farmers asso-
Citations by the labor workers who have been in
session in this city for the last four days the
meeting having been called by President Com
pers of the American Federation of Labor. The
address says that large part of the discus
sons of the conference was devoted to consid
Grafton of the Supreme Courts action in apply
ing the Sherman antitrust law to labor The
proceedings the address says, were marked
by the utmost harmony. There was. indeed, the
intensity of feeling which grave a situation
must evoke. There was also unbounded en-
thusiasm. A grim mess of purpose. and
firm determination that the work initiated by
this conference should not until the wrongs
from which the workers suffer shall be righted
and their liberties, which have been imperilled
shall be restored and forever safeguarded."
The furthe. statement is made that it the
unanimous feeling of the conference that some
steps should be taken TO impress on Congress
the necessity for prompt action toward amend
ing the Sherman antitrust law. so that it shall
| not for profit and without capital stock, nor TO
members of such organizations associations.
nor TO any arrangements or combinations among
persons engaged in agriculture horticulture,
made with a view to enhancing the price Of
their own agricultural or horticultural products.
The conference pledged itself to use its in1u-
| ence toward obtaining the enactment of bill
to regulate and limit the issuance of iniunctions
| and also of a new employers liability bill.
AZ
| belief that Congress appreciates the gravity of
the situation, and it is declared that Labor is
| in no mood to be trifled with Every legitimate
| pressure it is stated, must be brought to bear
| upon Congress lin the effort to secure the pas
| sage of amendment to the Sherman law"
1t is declared that resolutions should be
adopted urging Congress to amend the Sherman
| law "and warning Congress that it will be
held responsible for failure enact such leg
islation. And it is stated, upon the record Of
this Congress will be based the workers de-
a member of Congress-.
After stating 1t to be the duty of Iaboriug men
to question candidates for Congress as TO their
attitude toward labor legislation the address
calls on the labor workers ito stand faithfully
by our friends; oppose and defeat our enemies,
whether they be candidates for President, for
Congress. other Offices, whether legislative.
executive or judicial"
Hold mass meetings says the address, in
every city and town in the United States on the
evening Of the third Sundav or Ma IA: In April,
10 or 20, and at that melting yoice fully and
! unu1ist akab1y !abors protest against the Su-
preme Court decision which strips labor Of the
rights and liberties which We had supposed were
guaranteed by the Constitution Each caudi-
date should be questioned and pledged his
attitude upon all subjects of Importance to the
toilers. whether in factory, farm, field, shop or
mine.
In conclusion the address says: We call upon
the executive council and upon all labor to use
every possible legitimate effort TO secure for
the workers their inalenable liberties and their
proper recognition as a vital portion of the
fabric OF civilization
A feotnote says that this address is signed by
the same names as we're appended TO labor's
protest to Congress-"