The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1913-05-23
LABOR LECTURERS
American Federation Plans a
Speakers Bureau.
TO PRESENT CAUSE OF TOLL.

Only Spokesman of Proved Ability and
knowledge OF tne Subject 10 lie Sc
Iected-The incompetent Do More
Harm rhan Good.
Those things which we hold To be-
true are what determine action. ideals
and ultimate destiny Since public
conviction aud pubic will control poll
cies and opportunities it Is of greatest
Importance that these should be found
ell upon correct Impressions ana in
formation that development may be
along the best lines and the least pos
sible hindrance be placed in the path
of progress Great truths aud great
movements nave not infreuuently tee
retarded or even killed because Of the
prejudice or misconceptions existing
IN the minds OF the pablic 1t is i'm
pOrtant not only to estHbl the think
ing habit in our nation. hut to enable
all to think truly and correctly \
cause hampered by prejudice and Ill
combating these hindrances and is pre-
vented from utilizing all of its power
for normal activities and for realizing
its greatest usefulness.
Recognizing the influence of igno
rance and misconception, all great or
CARNATIONS and movements have al
most universally adopted the policy
of establishing publicity departments
through which they can control the
trend Of public opinion in the making
rather than be compelled to combat
an unfriendly attitude that has become
crystallized They have also realized
the miscellaneous consequences of al
lowing false statements to remain un.
controverted and false impressions OF
policies and purposes TO he circulated
without con. radict:on The public. with
no other Information ut hand. would
accept as true false statements FIRE
quertly repeated and would he influ
enced accordingly Publicity depart
mentS are established 10 challenge in
correct statements and to place til,
movements before the public in Suci
a way thai plans and purposes ma
he clearly AID unmistaEahIv presented
When the purposes and policies of ar
organiza ton are publicly interpreted
1t is natural TO suppose that this /,
done with the sanction and consent OF
the orga nization Often an impression
is fixed which can never be eradicated
caI
gaining weight through such apparent
it is necessary to have some
definite plan for securing responsible
Like all other organ
izations. the American Federation of
Labor has suffered through misrep-
resentation in public addresses and
often by we'll intentloned
but misguided people. and through
the willfII misrepresentation of others
who pose as authorized representa-
tives and who knowingly disseminate
theories opposed and repugnant to the
very philosophy basis. work and as
pirations of the organized labor move
ment
To meet this difficulty a resolution
was introduced in the Rochester con-
vention which provided that steps
should he taken to correct this condi-
ton and to prevent wrong apprehen-
sion and nlisconcepion of the true
purposes of the American Federation
of Labor. According to the plan pre-
scented in the resolution. the executive
council shall consider the establish
ment of lecture bureau. Through
this bureau arrangements shall be
made for lecture courses to be held I'M
der the auspices of central bodies and
loca organizations. the general organ
ization to pay all travelling expenses
and the local organization all local ex-
penseS. Such a bureau would be of
incalcumble benefit 20 organized labor
In former wears 1t was the custom to
obtain labor speakers particularly for
Labor day. through the offices of the
merican Federation of Labor. and
there ought to be some method and
system by which speakers now could
be readily obtained on the various
necessary occasions.
The advantages of such a system
can be readily seen The speakers so
secured would be responsible men and
women. vouched for by those who are
in touch with the whole movement and
all the workers There would be none
of the apprehension and danger now
associated with securing speakers
whose ability may prove to be disap-
pointing and whose statements may
hinder the cause they are intended to
further Weak. inferior spokesman not
only fail TO benefit the cause. but in.
iure it by ineffective partial interpre-
tations. Ry having some central
agenry to furnish lists of speakers and
concerning them not only
would more effective. capable speak
ers be available hut the task Of pre-
pairing for special occasions would be
50 facilitated that these occasions
would increase in number Better
Of the cause Of labor. the
correction and refutation of Incorrect