The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-08-27
GOlNPERS' CALL TO
ORGANIZED LABOR

Oncial circulars sent out by the
executive committee of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor strongly
advising the laboring men, by in
ference, to support democratic NOM
inees in the approaching election,
have been received in Spokane.
The circular contains a scathing
arrangement of the injunction plank
adopted by the republican conven,
ton and of the attitude of the
party toward labor, and strongly
praises the democratic platform
and the treatment of the laboring
man by the party,
The circular is addressed "To All
Organized Labor" and is signed by
Samuel Gompers, president, and
Frank Morrison, secretary, of the
American Federation of Labor.
Stating that the wishes of labor
were presented to both national
conventions in exactly the same
manner, the circular says in part:
The national convention of the
republican party, at Chicago, re-
fused to incorporate the demands
of labor in its platform, and in
stead inserted plank on injunc-
tons which indorses the existing
abuse of the injunction as applied
to labor disputes.
THE democratic convention, at
Denver, on the other hand, made
labor's demands a part of it's plat
form.
in response to labor's demands
the republican convention adopted
an alleged injunction plank.
"At a glance, the plank adopted
will be seen to be an evasion of
the issue 1t is an Endorsement of
the very abuse against which labor
has justly protested, and would, II
enacted by congress, give the au-
thority of law for the issuance of
linjunctions in labor disputes, an
authority which does not now ex-
ist 1t is pro-injunction, not an
janti-injunction, declaration. 1t
| would make more acute the wrongs
bear the unjust, judicial burden OF
injunction discrimination.
"On the question of the injunc-
ton abuse the democratic platform
declares for the principle which the
| workers have maintained, viz:
THAT injunctions should not be
issued in any cases in which in
functions would not issue IL no in
dustrial disputes were involved.
Equally clear and satisfactory is
| the declaration in favor of exempt
ing labor from the operation of the
supreme court decision (Danbury
Hatters' case) under the Sherman
antitrust law.
THE expanding organization of
industry makes it essential that
there should be no abridgment of
the right of wage-earners and
producers to organize for the pro-
| lection of wages and the improve
ment of labor conditions to the end
that such labor organizations and
their members should not be re-
| garded as illegal combinations in
restraint of trade.
THE other declarations in the
democratic platform include things
which the workers have demanded
for many years.
I'VE earnestly urge the workers
and all good citizens to consider
most carefully and thoughtfully the
attitude of the two great political
parties toward the fundamental
rights and principles embodied in
labor's demands. Study their re-
spective platforms, and then vote
as your conscience dictates.
"The republican party definitely
lines up with the corporate inter
ests of the country and defies the
people to help themselves
| THE democratic party Endorses
labor's demands and pledges ii.
lself to carry them into effect If ii
is put into power.