United labor bulletin., 1910-02-25
THE A. F. OF |.
GETS INTO POLITICS
Continued from Page -

stallation of telephones; the use of cleo
trio lights; devices for keeping the air
clean and pure; the establishment of es-
capement shafts at proper intervals; and
the installation of proper signal systems
in times of danger, and many other minor
acts which will suggest themselves to the
mind of anyone familiar with coal min
ing. To secure the adoption of the laws
above specified, however, will accomplish
nothing unless judges are elected who
will faithfully interpret and apply the
laws, nor unless district attorneys and
peace officers are elected who will be as
interested in protecting the miners as
they are in protecting the mine owners
have mentioned coal mining as an
Illustrative example of the needs of labor
getting into politics What is true of coal
mining is true largely, not only of every
other form of mining but of every form
of Industrial activity. For example,
gigantic street car strike is on in Phila-
delphia 1t is probable that by the time
this issue of The Bulletin leaves the
press 100000 union workers will be out
on a strike in that city. The city of Phil
adelphia is in a state of turmoil which
seems inconsistent with free, civilized
government. The tramway company OF
that city has been dictatorial in politics
as the Denver Tramway company and
have elected as mayor one of their own
stockholders who is using the city gov
eminent to promote the interests OF his
company. The employees have been OPP
pressed and almost enslaved. They have
been compelled to work long hours for
short pay. In politics they have had to
jump at the crack of the masters whip
and now the mayor has virtually declared
martial law in violation of every consti-
tutional and moral right and his minions
in arms openly and wilfully ignore and
defy processes OF the courts. Organizer
Pratt was arrested on Monday of this
week and thrown into jail. A magistrate
of Philadelphia issued an order for the
release of Mr.. Pratt The officers and
policemen acting under special instruc-
ton set at defiance the order of the court
and imprisoned The national organizer
just as the minions of the mine owner
in military array marched into the court
room of Judge Stevens at Cripple Creek
and compelled him to adjourn court
The two illustrations given above may
serve to impress upon the minds OF the
members of Organized Labor the neces'
sity of observing and living up to the
resolution adopted on Washington's birth
day by the American Federation of La
Dor If you expect to accomplish any
thing you must forget that you are Re-
publicans or Democrats, or Socialists.
Remember only hat you are American
citizens and that you are members OF
vast body of men engaged in herce
struggle for human rights and human
liberty.
Politics is the practical application OF
the principles and methods of govern
ment 1t is the art OF government. II
laboring men expect to secure their
rights they must get into politics. They
must be active and diligent; they must
remember their friends to reward them
and their enemies to punish them; they
must keep ever in mind the ideal OF
Washington and Lincoln that this was
intended to be government of the peo'
pie. by the people and for the people.
Remember the resolution adopted by the
executive council Of the A. +. OF L.,
which is quoted in the beginning of this
article Read It carefully, ponder 1t well
and live up to t.