The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-10
LABOR JOURNALS
ARE CRITICIZED
Executive Board OF Federation
Withdraws It's Official
Endorsement.
MAY START NEW PAPER
Virginia Unionist and Industrial
Era Accused of Bad
Faith.

Acting upon the report of the spe-
cial committee on publications. ap-
pointed at the meeting of the State
Federation of Labor. head In Richmond
in June. the executive board OF the
Federation has revoked all indorse-
ments previously given to the only two
labor publications In Virginia. The
journals affected arc the Virginia
Unionist. of Norfolk. and the Indus
trial Era, of Roanoke.
These two papers have been the off,
cial organs OF the State Federation OF
Labor, and have been so designated at
the meetings. Charges regarding their
methods of doing business we're made
at the June meeting, and the appoint
ment of the special committee fol-
lowed. SO closely is it intended to
guard matter purporting to emanate
from official labor sources that even
future publications of souvenir pro-
grams are to be placed under the SUI
pervision of the executive board, TO be
Issued through the secretary.
Mny stnrt New Paper.
Indicating that the withdrawal of
patronage from the Virginia Unionist
and the Industrial Era is regarded as
positive. 1t Is further recommended by
the committee that the executive
labor paper, 10 advocate the claims of
trades un!onism and the principles of
the Dor movement, at as early date
as possible"
The charges upon which the action
of the board Is based are that adver-
tisements have been, solicited and Sc
cured for the columns OF these labor
papers. the advertisers being left un-
der the Impression that they were
he rin NO Cfat
It is charged by the committee that
the publication enterprises were en-
tirely private and for the profit of the
publishers.
Wrote to Advertisers.
In beginning the work of investi-
eating the charges. the committee
sent out circular letters to business
houses throughout the state. mainly
In sle larger cities, asking for infor-
nation as to the representations made
by agents for the two labor papers In
securing advertisements. "Informa-
tion has reached us." said the commit
tee in its circular letter, that adver-
tisements we've solicited in the name
of the federation. and that the adver-
tisers would be aiding the federation
In Its work by taking space in said
publica tons"
In reply. many letters were received.
which are now on file with the COM
mittee. 1t Is said that a number OF
advertisers said they We're under the
Impression, in making the contra ct
that the Virginia Federation % Labor
was 70 be the beneficiary.
other Objections.
The committee further feels that the
two papers thus outlawed from or
ganized labor circles in Virginia. have
not carried news matter calculated tc
aid the cause.
In addition the committee is dis
satisfied with the alleged course OF
the Virginia Unionist and the Indus.
trial Era. in supporting candidates foi
office without regard to their labo,
records 1t is argued that labor pa
pers should be careful In regard to es
pousing the records Of men WHO Of
fer for Office. unless their records
show them TO have been friendly tc
the cause.
AS to the new publication to which
reference is made the committee says
I'VE also desire TO call to your atten-
ton that we are working in co-opera
ton with the Virginia Farmers Union
and wetcould establish a paper joint,
with the two organizations that woulc
be OF great service to the entire Labor
movement and one over which We
would have control and would protec
ON people at all times"