The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1909-12-17
LABOR EDITORS AT
CONVENTION FORM
NEW ASSOCIATION

where; it is expected TO boost the label
of every craft-a duty it has never
shrinked-it is expected to be constant
ly upon the watchtowers. And for this
it has received the 1mstintcd praises of
our national and international unions.
the concentrations of the American
Federation of Labor, and the privilege
of hustling the wherevithal to pay the
bills for composition, presswork, paper
and postage.
We feel that the time has come when.
if the labor press is to be made the
potent weapon that it should be in the
armory of the organized labor move
ment, it should receive something more
than resolutions; that the time has
come when the crafts that ask us to
boost their labels and protect their in
terests, should at least do something
towards helping us bear the expenses
incident thereto.
We desire at this time to point to the
remarkable fact that with the possible
exception of the Boot and Shoe Work
ers' Union, not single one of the label
crafts is giving any financial support
to that portion of the great labor move
ment that is most constantly on guard.
most vigorously and consistently
preaching unionism, and ever acting
upon the picket line of industrial pro
gress.
We desire here and now that it be
most distinctly understood that the edi
tors and managers of the labor news
papers of the United States and Canada
are not asking that they be Support
ed We are asking only that our eff
forts be appreciated in that substantial
way that is meted out to others who
work shorter hours and receive therefor
something more than resolutions and
communication. If it is true. as we he
lieve, that the laborer is worthy of his
hire. then we, the labor editors of this
continent insist that we should receive
a just compensation for our efforts-a
wage that can be exchanged at the gro
GERS counter or through the wicket at
the office of the coal dealer.
We rejoice when we are accorded
praise, but the printer and the pressman
are surer of their wage when those who
adopt eloquent resolutions, and those
who submit label argument, accompany
the same with the coin of the realm.
We rejoice when label craft thanks
us for our efforts in its behalf, but the
publication bills are not receipted there
by.
We have at this memorable conven-
ton of the American Federation of La
Dor organized the International Labor
Press of America, and have adopted a
label therefore, for which label we shall
ask the same hearty support and loyal
consideration that the labor press has
given to the labels of other organiza-
tions of workers. We ask, and have a
right to expect, that the label crafts
which so increasingly ask us to boost
their labels shall now boost ours, and
do as we have always done, accompany
the vocal demand for the label with the
physical transaction consequent upon
the exchange of commodities.
We beg leave to submit that if one
half the money now spent by national
and international unions in circulariz-
ing local unions and city central bodies
was expended in advertising in the la
Dor press, % per cent. more people
would be reached, the attention given
would be increased thousand fold, the
results upon the crafts would be far
greater. and the lot of the labor editor
be far happier.
We pledge to the great labor move
ment of this generation, as personified
in the American Federation of Labor
our hearty and continued support. We
pledge ourselves to leave no stone un-
turned in our efforts to assist in the
great work of agitation, education and
emancipation, but we submit in all
kindness and candor that the labor
press of the country has not received
from the hands of executive officers OF
the affiliated international and national
unions the tangible support that must
be had from some source if the labor
press is to be properly equipped io'
adequately carrying on its great work
We further submit, and in the same
spirit. the suggestion that the labe
icampaign might be pushed with mor'
vigor if some portion of the expense o.
ltypesetting and presswork were de
frayed by the crafts who are asking
the labor press to boost their emblems
We suggest, and in the proper spirit
TO the executive council of the American
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