The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-09-13
American Federation Out
lines Its Policy in Re-
gard to Politics.
DEFENDS GOMPERS
AS NON-PARTISAN
Will Work for the Best Men of
Any Party, Against Those De-
termined Unfair"

Refuting for the American Federation
OF Labor. as its president had personal
l.. that Samuel GoThDcrs was attempt
ing TO deliver the labor vote, and
pointing with satisfaction to the fact
that a number Of Iabor's conspicuous
opponents IN both houses have been
defeated for renomination, the execu-
tive council of the federation last night
adopted comprehensive and optirnis-
tic report OF its labor representation
committee
The report Of this special committee.
composed OF President Gompsrs, Vice
President James O'ConneH. and Secre-
tary Frank Morrison, was submitted TO
the executive council at its session yes
terday morning and came up for ex-
tended discussion in the afternoon. II
outlines what labor has done. and pre-
poses 10 DO to defeat its enemies.
The actual reference to any party,
however. is carefully omitted, although
the report indirectly deals with the pre-
announced preference of the labor lead
ers and The different treatment accord
ed laoor's representatives, at the respec-
tive national conventions.
Opposed to Cannon.
Especial attention is directed 10 the
efforts being made 10 defeat Speaker
Cannon. in the Danville. H.. district
and, as a warning to Uncle joe -. the
next paragraph contains reference TO
the numbers Of Senators and Repre-
scntatives who have been defeated
through the activity Of the unionsts-
The report. which is quite lengthy, and
which was unanimously adopted by the
executive council. all members being
present except Mr.. Huber, is in part as
follows.
give issued the circular to all or
ganized labor as directed by you, set
ting forth the Identical planks which &c
urged the Republican and Democratic
party conventions TO incorporate in their
respective platforms: the declarations
which both parties Incorporated and the
treatment accorded the executive cOun-
Gil by both parties.
we have sent organizers into the
Danville. H., Congressional district
(Speaker Cannon's district. and into
a number of other Congressional dis
tricts. carrying out the policy Of the
American labor movement as directed
by the conventions at Minneapolis and
Norfoll-, by the great Washington
labor conference. by this executive
council and by the great mass meet
ings held throughout the country
April 1920.
Victories Won.
I'VE desire to call attention TO the
fact that a number Of conspicuous
opponents. both in the United States
tatiyes, have been defeated for renom-
ination through the activity inaugu-
rated by US, and by our fellOw-union-
lists in their respective States or dis
tricts. and. further. that a number Of
union men have been nominated for
Congress, and it is our purpose to rem
der them every aid within our power
to secure their election
TT is cur purpose. TO the full ex-
tent Of our financial resources. to ap-
point number OF organizers and print
literature dealing with the primary and
important interests OF labor. Incident
thereto, we have issued a supplement
tary appeal for financial assistance 10
the one issued a few months ago re-
questing contributions.
TN addition TO the funds already con-
tributed, we recommend that another
appeal be issued TO secure financial
means TO insure the election Of men
favorable to obtaining the justice,
rights, and equality before the law to
which the toilers are entitled; and 70
defeat such candidates as are indiffer-
ent or hostile to such legislative relief.
On NOEpartisan Basis.
I'VE shall, in the future, as we have
in the past, shape our course upon a
nonpartisan basis. We have judged
and propose 20 judge, candidates for
any office upon their records and atti-
tude and not because Of their political
party utilization. and the funds oh.
tanned by the previous. as well as those
to be obtain from the proposed, circu-
lar. have been and will be used for
general purposes, as herein set forth.
and not for partisan purposes"
The report says that a number OF in
ternational officers have offered their
services, as we'll as the services of or
GAMERS. 10 further Iabor's political
campaign. Such offers will be accepted.
It is further recommended that a cir
cular be issued by national and inter
national executive officers, urging upon
all friendly labor interests compliance
with the provision of the report adopt
ed today.
Attention IS called TO an article pub
llshed in the August Federationist con-
tanning the report or the American Fed
Grafton OF Labor legislative committee,
recounting the failure of Congress to
pass labor legislation necessary TO safe
guard organized labOr's existence. las
now denied by the decision Of the
United States Supreme court. by hold
ing that the unions Of workers come
under the Sherman antitrust law. and
are trusts, conspiracies or Illegal COM
binations I'm restraint of trade"
Slap at Congress.
The failure Of Congress to consider,
much less enact, any bill to secure 10
workers the constitutional guaranty OF
equality before the law by removing
the abuse and perversion OF the injunc-
ton process" IS also scored
The report says that these is a unan-
unity OF sentiment among union men
everywhere 10 fully carry out the policy
declared f11- the DrraDivad bo- rr70z-a.