The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1910-12-16
LOS ANGELES
NEEDS HELP
Attack Upon Organized
Labor in Southern City
is Aimed at Entire Pa
cific Coast.

At the thirtieth annual convention
OF the American Federation of Labor
held at st. Louis, November ii to 2G
1910, the subject matter OF the situa.
ton in Los Angeles, California, cam,
up and received the most serious con
alderation. 1t was clearly demonstrat.
ed that there exist, in Los Angeles Il
decp-laid and sinister plan inaugurated
and being carried cut by the Merchant
and Manufacturers Association of that
city the association acting as Il subsi.
diary agent of the National Association
OF Manufacturers, and that the plan
has for its purpose Il war OF eNtermina
ton OF the organized labor movement
Of the Pacific Coast and the crushing
out of the American spirit of manliness
and independence.
It is not necessary to recount the
struggle OF years against the printers
union OF Lo, Angeles for it is well and
generally known. Last May the em
ploycrs provoked a contest with the
brewery workers. \ month later, in
June, the contest was made upon the
machiniot., moders. boicrmakers, pat
tern makers and all others in the metal
trades. as well as upon the leather
workers. Union men of Los Angeles
were forced to take up the cudgel, not
only in defense of themselves, but of
the workers who were not members Of
organized labor. 1t was Il struggle to
secure a living wage and humane con
ditions.
The international unions OF the
trades aided their members in Los An
geles to the best of their ability. The
trade mionists of California assisted
to the fullest of their opportunities
The toilers of Los Angeles have made.
and are making, one of the most gal
liant and heroic struggles ON record. The
National Association of Manufacturers
through its subsidiary, the Merchants
and Manufacturers Association of Los
Angeles. controlled the officers OF the
city government who acted as puppets
and passed ordinances denying the men
the right of peaceably walking the
streets or talking with workers whom
they may meet. Hundreds of union
men have been arrested and prosecuted
and through system of refined tor
ture of the Third Degree" the endea-
yor has been made to fasten crimes up
on peaceable and law-abiding workers
who have been thrust in prison, as well
as threatened with violent demon
stratious of lynching.
Through the agency OF the Los An
geles Merchants and Manufacturers
Association. innocent widows ana wives
have been ruthlessly taken from their
homes, charged with murder or detained
in gloomy corridors for weeks, while
their little children were suffering for
want of care.
Union men and non-unionists alike
are standing shoulder to shoulder III
Los Angeles to defend, protect, and
promote their interests and their rights
the rights of manhood, womanhood,
and childhood.
The organized labor movement OF the
continent. the American Federation OF
Labor. at its recent convention at St
Louis. after full consideration by
vote resolved to appeal TO
tbe organized toilers of America FOL
moral and financial assistance; and TINS
anneal il now made to all who love
Justice and liberty, to aid the workers
engaged in the contest i'll southern
California and along the Pacific Coast
All members of organized labor and
friends are urged to take up this ap-
peal promptly and to organize sys
tenn by which voluntary contributions
may be made.
All financial contributions should be
sent to Frank Morrison, secretary
American Federation of Labor, SOl-o Z
street. n. W., Washington, d. O., whc
will forward receipt to the sender, and
due acknowledgment made and credit
oiyen. Each days receipts Will be
transmitted promptly to our needy
brothers ON the Pacific Coast Inc
cause is Just, the need imminent an'
contributions should be as generous an'
prompt as possible.
Fraternally yours,
SAMUEL GOMPERS,
President.
Attest;
FRANK MORRISON, Secretary.
Iames Duncan, first vice president
John Mitchell, second vice president
I..A