United labor bulletin., 1910-03-18
ORGANIZATION
0FLAbOR PARTY
Why a Full Labor Ticket
Should Not Be
Named.
(ey r. E. croskey.)

There is a great deal of discussion
among union people regarding the ad
visibility of forming a Labor party. The
great majority, believe, are in favor
of this line of action and so | think
that few words upon this subject from
one who has been more or less par
ticipant in great many of the independ-
ant labor campaigns in the last twelve
years will not be amiss at this time.
My experience in the political arena
teaches me that the one great essential
that the laboring people need in the sue
oessful conduct of a labor, or any other
campaign, is just the very thing they
have not got, namely, money. l know
that a great many prudes who have had
little experience in these campaigns vii!
holler, rotten politics" when | make
this assertion. but 7 shall endeavor TO
handle this question without gloves and
tell the naked facts as l have expert
enced them. | have consistently been
with every effort thai the union people
have made upon the political field, to
the extent of being read out of the polit-
ical party of which l was once an active
member. and twice a candidate for office
the Socialist Party; and do not regro;
one single action OF mine taken on the
labor political field have rejoiced
when we were successful. which has been
seldom. and sorrowed in our defeats
which has been often, for with ripening
years of experience believe that have
learned much that all the union people
must know before they will be able to
successfully cope with the two old parties
upon their chosen ground.
| firmly believe that the time is ripe
for the establishment of the Labor
party. but l must emphatically state
that 1 do not believe that the time Is
anywhere near ripe for the putting into
the field of an independent labor ticke5.
for several reasons. In the first place,
we have no organization. and it is organi-
cation that wins the battle in these siren
uous days, and it viii take several years
TO perfect an organization capable OF
coping successfully with the organiza-
ton of the two old political parties
Again. our members are in no way edu-
Gated on political maneuvers that is alb
solutely essential that they must be to
win. Then there Is the great question
Of finance and he'uuwiliingness of the
unions to assess themselves to furnish
the sinews of war. and without them
is well night impossible to conduct
political campaign. for the workers must
be paid. 1t is all well for people to say
that there will be plenty Of workers
who viii work for the love OF the thing.
but I know differently ! used TO tai
that way when l was young and bubbling
over with enthusiasm, but I know it
won't work. Our people have to wora
for their living and they will not and
cannot afford to spend days and weeks
working for the good of the cause, and,
If we have a fair and square labor pro
sramme and labor nominees for the IL
fees, where and how are We to raise the
money to finance our campaign.
Continuous defeats have been our po.-
ton in the past. and these defeats have.
in measure. demoralized our people
and made them lose confidence in their
ability 10 win big political campaign.
People may talk to you about San Fran
cisco and its two labor MAYORS, bui il
Is common dge how these men
were elected. and who was the real
power behind their campaigns: and, If