The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1910-02-18
KAUFMAN
IN WRONG
States Spokane Man Who
Takes Issue With Major
ity Rule League Idea.
CONTINUED From Page One. }

however, and without the slightest dis
respect intended for either of these
gentlemen-for whom / have the high
est recard-I cannot see where the cleo
ton of either or both Of these gen
tlemen from isolated districts would re-
suit in such lasting benefit to the cause
of labor as would even the fighting
of a losing battle along strictly labor
party lines. The feeling of comrade-
ship that would be generated by such
q campaign throughout the state would
mean more than the election of any
single or even half dozen men. If last
ing good is to be accomplished and we
are to building euduringly, immediate
self-interest must be overlooked and we
must build with the idea that what we
now erect will serve the workers who
follow.
There certainly is no idea in the mind
of the author of the resolution that
none but trades unionists should be
asked to affiliate themselves with the
party. However, those were the peo-
pie that he has had most to do with
in life, and believes they should be the
most susceptible to enlist in reform
measures; they have the machinery ne
cessary to determine whether my ideas
as to the necessity of political action
along independent lines is concurred in
by any considerable number of men, so,
quite naturally, first asked that this
organization of workers pass on the
plan.
Again Mr.. Kaufman says that new
parties are born only in times of revo-
luton. The trades unionists of Great
Britain awoke to the necessity of action
along political lines after the render
ing of the Taff-Veale decision; result,
AZ members in the last house of com
mons, and practically the balance of
power. Just before l sat down to the
job of writing this letter L had read
the press dispatches to the effect that
the circuit court of the United States
had mulcted the Hatters' Union to the
tune of $222,000 for using the boycott.
In other words, this court has capital
lied a perpetual right to that patron,
age in certain interests, and now de-
mis- the right of the workers to bestow
that patronage where he will, and ask
his friends to join with him in such
free selection. The Taff-Veale decision
was no more unsound nor more of a
menace to the welfare of trades union
lists than is this decision-in fact, was
practically the same. If such action on
the part of the British courts resulted
in revolution in the British isle, is it
not reasonable to suppose that the
American workman will likewise resent
such encroachment on the part of the
courts, and seek the remedy where it
lies-along independent political action
If times were ever ripe for the over
turn of the corrupt rule of the two old
parties. and the formation of new and,
l hope, and believe, better and cleaner
party, that time is now here. OF course,
this premise is predicated on the sup
position that the American worker has
an innate desire to be free and also
the desire and will to rid himself of his
political masters, and instead have
few political servants-who would at all
times bow to the majority.
Mr.. Kaufman calls attention to the
success of the Anti-Saloon league and
compares that success with the failure
of the Prohibition party. The compari
son, to me, seems rather far-fetched and
not to the point. In the first place,
the Anti-Saloon League has had the
active support of the largest business
interest in the nation-the railroads
The reason for such support lay in the
added security given to railroad traffic
through having trains manned by crews
who could not, without great effort,
procure any intoxicants to impair their
efficiency. Does Mr.. Kaufman expect
the cooperation Of this force in the for
nation of his league? l opine not
Then, again, nearly every member of